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.
Careful Mr. Bush - you’re looking more and more like your Daddy.
So what are you waiting for, sir?
The President is sure helping to fulfill the no borders, “one world govt”
Ahh, yes... the elitist (read, Andover Prep) vision of Democracy in America: Telling your constituents to “choke on it, b!+ch” is considered “courage.”
ping
In a perfect world, I’d like another solution. In this one, well, lets just say that I am probably the only Freeper who can get along with some form of this proposal.
Too late georgie.
President Bush, forget your opinions on immigration. You can go to Hell, and take your Daddy and your fellow Country-Clubbers with you.
Easy for you to say, Bush, since you won't ever stand for re-election again.
“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,”
I'd be more inclined to give you a chance if you had friggin' DONE YOUR JOB regarding border security to date.
“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,”
This reminds me of the single-issue voter attacks from the Rudy boosters. Sorry, Bush, but the objections to this bill are hardly narrow. They're wider than Hillary's arse and growing twice as fast.
President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
::::
** Comprehensive Immigration Reform = TAX-PAYER FUNDED AMNESTY **
Respectfully, Mr. President, You are a disgrace to your office.
WOW so now I ....”don’t want to do what’s right for America”.
.
Excuse me Mr. Bush but I Politly ask you to G.F.Y.
Powerful sentiment - I can’t argue with you.
“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.”
By my count they have had two chances “to fix the problems”, and failed miserably on both attempts.
He IS his father! He speaks of a “great immigration tradition” while trying to destroy it. The man is a boob and after leaving office will probaly take his show on the road with Jimmy Carter.
The president is simply wrong on this one.
The fact is that without a closed border first, there is going to be a repeat of the Reagan Amnesty.
It only makes sense. Leave the door open and you shouldn’t be surprised if strangers walk through. Keep it locked, and they will find that a harder thing to do, and you will have justification for taking them out.
Who is this man, and how did he get into the White House?
I wonder if the INS would find any illegals on the Bush ranch?
Just wondering who takes care of that place?
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