Posted on 07/08/2006 4:37:07 PM PDT by garbageseeker
LOS ANGELES - Former President Bill Clinton praised President Bush on Saturday for supporting reforms that would allow millions of illegal immigrants to seek citizenship but said the debate in Congress is being fomented by Republicans who want to divide America.
"I'm proud of him for doing it and I thanked him for doing it," he said of Bush during a "Cafe con Clinton" breakfast speech to the annual conference of the National Council of La Raza, the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights advocacy group.
Clinton said Bush's roots in Texas which has one of the nation's largest Hispanic populations have helped him view immigrants as people rather than statistics.
"It's hard to demonize people if you know them," he said.
But Clinton also argued that the nation's government is controlled by Republican ideological hard-liners who want to use immigration to divide Americans and distract them from issues such as the war in Iraq and the health care crisis.
Instead of equal opportunity, they support a "financial elite" because they favor "concentrated wealth and power," Clinton said.
"They believe in a government that is secret, unaccountable and that maximizes its own power," he said. "They really believe the world works better if they run it and we keep our mouths shut."
Clinton supported an immigration reform measure passed by the Senate that would provide a way for many of the estimated 12 million foreigners living in the country illegally to become citizens. A House-approved bill would make illegal immigrants felons and build 700 miles of border walls. House and Senate negotiators so far have not been able to work out a compromise.
Bush has said he wants to enforce the borders so fewer people sneak across but also provide a way for those already in the United States to become legal. He has praised Hispanic immigrants as hardworking and family oriented. Clinton used similar language in his own speech.
The message played well with La Raza, which opposes the House bill and whose current president, Janet Murguia, was an assistant in the Clinton White House.
Before Clinton's speech, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa noted a string of rallies over the immigration issue, including one in March that sent 500,000 people into the streets of Los Angeles and garnered international attention.
"You literally reshaped the political landscape of our nation ... we can still see a movement blooming before our very eyes," he said.
Both Democrats and Republicans have been looking for ways to court Hispanics, whose fast-growing population gives them the potential to become an enormous voting force. Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, was scheduled to address the convention on Tuesday
I notice you didn't bring up Martinez. There was absolutely no reason for him to go for that creep over McCollum, unless he wanted one less conservative in the Senate.
The same crystal ball that shows Harris down 30 points. His general election poll numbers were just about as dismal. Harris will most likely win the primary since she has 3 unknowns against her but she is not well positioned to win a state wide race. The RNC will support her but not much based on her numbers right now we have too many close races to defend to waste money on an almost sure loss. I wish she had stayed in the House for at least 2 terms.
You give Clinton far too much credit. Clinton is agreeing with GW's amnesty plan because it is a liberal boondogle...right up Clinton's alley.
As far as Bush campaigning in 2004 on a guest worker program - I must have missed that speech and/or campaign ad, because I never saw such an ad - and had I (and most conservative folks I know) would have not voted for GW and likely would have been pretty outspoken against him.
There was
Bump
It is the kiss of death. I would not wantthe endorsement of President Clinton on a policy matter.
Ping
Leave it to ah*le to open his mouth. I know the illegals who are here in my home town very well. They all come from the area that voted for the leftist, socialist, Lopez Obrador
SECURE THE BOARDERS NOW!
Your article gave me a thought. Who did La Raza support for the Mexican elections?
HEY CLITON! JUST STFU!!! THAT IS ALL!!!
(WIDE GRIN!)
Who dat? Da Clitons? Or da Commonistas???
I doubt they would take to the streets and protest for Calderon. How much money did Chavez throw Obradore's way to try and buy this election?
"Bush has been neutralized ..."
Only if you believe it. Remember, Slick Willie does not tell the truth - ever. Why believe this?
x42i had a better arrest record for immigration enforcement than Pres. Bush has.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.