Posted on 05/31/2007 8:45:09 PM PDT by Omega Man II
McClatchy exclusive: Bush accuses conservative critics of fear-mongering on immigration
By Ron Hutcheson - McClatchy Newspapers
Firing back at conservative critics, President Bush defended his plan to overhaul immigration laws Tuesday and accused its opponents of "trying to rile up people’s emotions" with misinformation.
In an exclusive interview with McClatchy Newspapers, Bush expressed his determination to fight for changes that would let millions of illegal immigrants gain legal status. He cast the debate as a struggle over America’s soul and its reputation as a welcoming nation.
"I’m deeply concerned about America losing its soul. Immigration has been the lifeblood of a lot of our country’s history," the president said during an interview on Air Force One. "I am worried that a backlash to newcomers would cause our country to lose its great capacity to assimilate newcomers."
Bush underscored his commitment to the proposed overhaul — despite harsh criticism from some conservatives — as he traveled to Georgia for a speech that blasted the legislation’s critics.
"I’m sure you’ve heard some of the talk out there about people defining the bill. It’s clear they hadn’t read the bill. They’re speculating about what the bill says, and they’re trying to rile up people’s emotions," he told an audience at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, near Brunswick. "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. Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all."
Bush acknowledged that the proposed overhaul faces a difficult time in Congress, where it’s under attack from both ends of the political spectrum.
Conservative critics contend that it amounts to an amnesty program because illegal immigrants would be allowed to stay in the country after paying $1,000 fines. Some liberals complain that plans for a new temporary worker program are overly restrictive and would create a permanent underclass of foreign workers.
Some of the most vociferous criticism has come from conservative talk-show hosts who usually back the president. Commentator Rush Limbaugh has told his listeners that the legislation would doom the Republican Party and the nation.
The bill seeks to strike a balance between tougher border enforcement and a more welcoming policy toward the estimated 12 million immigrants who already are in the country illegally.
Bush hopes to push it through Congress with help from a bipartisan group of lawmakers that includes Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., a liberal stalwart, and Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., a staunch conservative. The president said he had no hesitations about working with Kennedy despite their sharp differences over Iraq and other issues.
"The reason why is, he can get the job done," Bush said aboard Air Force One.
Sitting in his spacious office on the presidential aircraft, Bush traced his commitment to immigration to his time in Texas.
"When you grow up in Texas like I did, you recognize the decency and humanity of Hispanics. And the truth of the matter is, a lot of this immigration debate is driven as a result of Latinos being in our country," he said. "I have seen firsthand the beautiful stories of people being able to take advantage of opportunity and make solid contributions to our society."
He said Americans had nothing to fear from large-scale immigration from Latin America.
"There is an element of our society that is worried about two Americas," he said. "Our ability to welcome newcomers and the system’s capacity to assimilate them has been one of the great powerful traditions of America. It works, and it will work this time. People shouldn’t fear our capacity to uphold our motto: E Pluribus Unum."
The Latin phrase means "Out of many, one."
Addressing one of the most sensitive issues in the measure, Bush expressed hope that the changes would reduce the need for a fence along the border with Mexico.
The bill requires the completion of at least 370 miles of fencing, along with other security measures, before any temporary worker program can go into effect, but doesn’t specify how much of the border ultimately will be fenced. Congress approved legislation last year calling for 700 miles of fence.
The proposed fence has drawn protests in Texas, where officials fear it will hinder commerce and cause environmental problems.
"The fence sends a clear signal that we’re serious about enforcing the border," Bush said. "A lot of these ranchers down there are saying, `Wait a minute. Bad idea.’ I presume we’re not going to build a fence on places where people don’t want it."
Bravo Omega well said!
You know, if this amnesty crap keeps up, the Republicans WILL be the "THIRD PARTY".
Good grief. That guy has been toast ever since he let a county probate judge stare him down. Weak.
Actual Bill
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.1348:
Some shortcummings:
http://www.jdhayworth.com/26reasons.html
I think know Bush’s thinking:
1. make money
2. easier transition of legals and illegals
3. no harassment the 14th amendment.
Walk on Water conservatives got the Rat congress they wanted and now they are being taught a lesson. Hopefully this bill fails like the last one and there will be NO immigration reform.
Pray for W and Our Troops
Damm, come to think of it........
You mean the Congress Bush wantd. The one he could “work with” was, I believe, the line?
That is such an ignorant statement. Any time you classify a whole ethnicity or culture of people is stereotyping, whether good or bad. As if all Hispanics are the same. What a joke.
Thanks for the links. I read JD’s column, but I certainly don’t have the time to read the entire bill full of lawyerese-laden sub-parts - - I’ll leave the actual bill for the experts to read and analyze, and clarify for me in understandable English jargon.
I do, however, have one more question: This bill would provoke a massive FLOOD of illegal aliens, forged papers in hand, across our borders. And they would be here LEGALLY after receiving their quicky “Temporary Z Visa”. It must be assumed that these now-legal aliens would start pumping out babies. Does the bill address “anchor babies” (although that phrase would no longer have meaning, I suppose) or would these babies be full-fledged American citizens, eligible for food stamps, welfare, medicaid, government schools, etc., etc.??
That's a good point.
“You mean the Congress Bush wantd. The one he could “work with” was, I believe, the line?”
V E R B A T I M
Your assessment might fit your state, however, in the state of Missouri you are wrong. Liberals got ballot initiatives that brought out their liberal voters in droves. Minimum wage increase got the unions to get their people out and I personally know more than a few salaried employees who were all for the wage increase that voted in the liberal column. And the promise of the government salvation with stem cell completed the mission. Interestingly the cigarette tax increase did not pass.
There are Walk on Water voters that are allllll for this mass invasion on both sides of the isle.
Errrrr. excuse me El Presidente Bush....didn’t the Albanian Duka brothers slip across the southern border to plot their little terror schemes for Ft. Dix? Have you not seen the drug/terror violent gangs in Mexico? How many US citizens have been murdered or victims of crimes by illegals? What about possible infectious diseases entering the USA via illegals? Or are you just too stubborn and blind to see this pres Bush? Wake up sir and smell the tacos.
Yes... we are concerned for this nation...not fear mongers.
That's a deeply insulting strawman for you to raise, Mr. President. You continue to insinuate that opposition to illegal immigration is motivated by a failure to recognize the decency and humanity of Hispanics.
I spit on your legislation and your lies, Mr. President.
“He said Americans had nothing to fear from large-scale immigration from Latin America.”
Why only Latin America? This guy is a total open borders hack with the intention being the formation of the North American Union.
No other explanation for it.
It must be assumed that these now-legal aliens would start pumping out babies. Does the bill address “anchor babies” (although that phrase would no longer have meaning, I suppose) or would these babies be full-fledged American citizens, eligible for food stamps, welfare, medicaid, government schools, etc., etc.??
no it does not address anchor babies and yes they get the full ride.
I’ll see your 20 million and raise you another 20.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find 20 million in California alone.
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