Posted on 05/29/2007 10:15:03 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
“The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place,” Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.
He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that “makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America.”
Bush spoke at the nation’s largest training center for law enforcement.
He chose the get-tough setting as conservative critics blast a Senate proposal as being soft on people who break the law. Hoping to blunt that message, Bush emphasized that any new options for immigrants and foreign workers would not start until tougher security is in place.
The presidential stop came during a congressional recess, with senators back home and facing pressure from the left and right on the immigration plan. Bush’s aim is to build momentum for the legislation, perhaps his best chance for a signature victory in his second term. The Senate expects to resume debate on it next week.
“A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don’t think the government can fix the problems,” Bush said.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don’t try to kill this bill before it gets moving,” Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bush repeatedly cast the matter as one of political courage.
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said. “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it.
“You can use it to frighten people,” Bush said. “Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all.”
The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provided they came forward, paid a fine and underwent criminal background checks. To apply for a green card, they would have to pay another fine, learn English, return to their home country and wait in line.
The plan also would create a guest worker program. It would allow foreign laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints, yet with no guarantee they can eventually gain citizenship.
Both the new visa plan and the temporary worker program are contingent on other steps coming first. Those include fencing and barriers along the Mexico border, the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and the completion of an identification system to verify employees’ legal status.
The legislation would also reshape future immigration decisions. A new point system would prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate.
Georgia’s senators both played leading roles in producing Bush’s deal with the Senate. Yet they have also said they may not support the final bill, depending upon how it is amended.
Bush chastised those who say the proposal offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. He called it empty political rhetoric.
BUMP
***Ever since he told Tom Tancredo that he can “never darken the doors of the WH again” (because of the congressman’s strong anti-illegal immigration stance) my opinion of Rove has been low, at best.***
I remember thinking at the time that Cong. Tancredo was doing something right if he made the President that mad. And why was the President so angry about Tancredo’s stance? I could never figure it out. Being shunned by the President in such a reprehensible way should be to Tancredo’s advantage and he should use it as a badge of honor.
I voted for Jorge Arbusto only because the alternatives appeared worse.I am tired of settling for the leasor of two evils.
1) Why should we treat illegal invaders with "respect" when you don't respect the citizens of this country?
2) We don't need this stupid bill to "recognize we're a nation of law(s)." We need YOU, Mr. President, to recognize that we already have immigration laws, and that it's YOUR job to enforce those laws.
The sheer, stubborn, arrogance of GWB regarding immigration is breathtaking. And disgusting.
And the funny part, so many here want us to vote for a candidate just because they have a big R after their name. Never again for me. I towed the party line and am now reaping the consequences of it. If the GOP want to flush themselves down the toilet, it's their call, I'm voting on conservative principles going forward.
He is committing high treason, yet has the gall to question our patriotism! I say start impeachment proceedings tomorrow morning. The longer this vile creep remains in office, the more our nation and our party are imperiled.
Confident people inspire others;arrogant people incite others.
***Ten or so years from now, George Bush II, like his father, will be shuttling between his ranch and the seaside estate in Kennebunkport, ME.***
I think he’d better not show his face in Texas! I hate to say it, but I’m starting to agree with Natalie Maines that I’m ashamed Bush is from here, although for different reasons. As a Texan, he should be well aware of the problem the illegals are causing here - I think I read that 40% of the Texas prison population are illegals now. His insistence on ruining our country - and his own home state - is really puzzling. I can’t understand it. There’s an old saying that even dogs don’t poop where they eat. His pretending to be a rancher is also really weird. If he was a real rancher - and real Texan - his attitude would be 180. I don’t know how he expects to come back here after this traitorous sell-out. He’s really is just an elitist snob. All hat and no cattle!
/rant off
Bush signed onto this - this is the future. We are irrelevant - that is what Bush is saying. Say goodbye to the USA.
And our soldiers aren’t even allowed to defend us.
Buzz off Jorge. If they impeached you tomorrow I would not utter one peep of protest.
I have noticed that EDole votes much more conservatively than many would have thought. Maybe her heart’s not in it, but she is voting mostly conservative.
He needs to be impeached but I don't think there's enough congress critters who will stand up for Americans to do it...
Pretty soon, he’s going to make LBJ look fairly good. He does seem to be following the LBJ style of war strategy.
Have you found a part of the Democrat base that has been so demeaned by a Democrat president?
Have you found a part of the Democrat base that has been so demeaned by a Democrat president?
How sad that Richard Gephardt, the late Mollie Ivins, and the late Ann Willis Richards were right about him all along!!!
Go back to Connecticut where you was born....lord knows, you have the mentality of a liberal north easterner.
The Republican Party doesn’t care whether you vote for it again. It’s in business to make money. It does not care about winning elections, probably never really did that much. And putting the R’s in power has been meaningless.
Where are the Bushbots on the site? Haven’t seem them for weeks now: must be at the RNC awaiting orders. This is what happens when we put “electability” over “principle”: we still lose.
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