Posted on 12/11/2007 12:49:00 PM PST by pissant
Update: Here’s the official Huckabee campaign post on the endorsement.
A commenter there also notes:
Another positive sign is the fact that Roy Beck of NumbersUSA has changed several of his ratings for Governor Huckabee from “red” to “green” in response to his new immigration plan. This is a big turnaround from just a few days before, when Beck characterized the Governor as a “disaster” in the area of immigration.
Here’s the new Numbers USA grid:
We are entering Alice in Wonderland territory.
***
Yeah, you read it right–the founder of the border control group, the Minuteman Project, is endorsing open-borders-turned-expedient enforcement convert GOP candidate Mike Huckabee:
With Mike Huckabee’s record on immigration now the subject of negative television ads in Iowa, the candidate today embraced the endorsement of one of the most outspoken anti-immigration crusaders of recent times.
Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project, appeared with Gov. Huckabee at a news conference here, and said that after months of searching for a candidate, his organization has decided to endorse Governor Huckabee and his plan “to solve this illegal alien invasion problem.”
Asked if Mr. Gilchrist’s backing signaled a new “angry” approach to the problem of illegal immigration, Mr. Huckabee said, “I’m not angry with the people, I’m angry with the government.” He added, “I’m not angry that immigrants want to come here. I’m kind of flattered that people look at America as a place they’d like to be.”
Mr. Gilchrist’s organization has been criticized for a vigilante-style of intervention that includes the use of armed volunteers on the border. His volunteers have occasionally intercepted illegal border crossers, but more often raised the profile of a shadowy alliance of anti-immigrant advocates and far-right militia groups.
In today’s news conference Mr. Gilchrist seemed to try to moderate his group’s profile by describing it as a “multi-ethnic multi-racial law enforcement advocacy group.” He said “We believe in legal immigration of prescribed number of legal immigrants” who will contribute to national prosperity and who are “people with integrity and character.”
Mr. Huckabee said, I don’t agree with all of Jim’s positions on every issue, but that is the great thing about America.”He added, “What we’re agreeing on is that the problem needs to be fixed.”
Huckabee called the endorsement “providential.” I know many grass-roots immigration enforcement supporters will have far less kind words than that.
WaPo:
“Frankly, Jim I’ve got to tell you there were times in the early days of the Minutemen I thought what are these guys doing, what are they about,” Huckabee said. “I confess I owe you an apology.” He said of Gilchrist, “nobody can question his commitment to his country.”
Gilchrist, an ally of the candidate who has been most anti-illegal immigration in the GOP field, Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, said his endorsement of Huckabee stemmed from the former governor’s recent statements on the issue, particularly a plan that Huckabee put out last week that would require illegal immigrants country in the country to go to their country of origin before trying to return. The plan also would build a border fence and increase fines on employers who hire illegal immigrants, similar to proposals offered by some of Huckabee’s opponents in the GOP nomination process.
“It was a plan I myself could have written,” said Gilchrist, who noted the Huckabee campaign reviewed the proposal with him before it was released.
A piece of paper, an empty promise, with nothing behind it.
No matter. Via Allahpundit, he’s running away with Iowa!
Good grief. Pigs do fly.
Forget the primaries. Just name Huck the nominee by acclamation now and get it over with.
/s
pissant! You’re back! Temporary waterboarding only, I see.
Welcome back.
Yes. And I did not break under the duress.
And I guess bears don’t poop in the woods anymore either.
Heck, I have had adult fantasies that have lasted longer than pissant's suspension.
Minutemen. Minute as in tiny or really really small.
As long as those fantasies don’t include me!
Heh. Well pissant try to beh...beha...(cough), nah, never mind.
Well it’s getting down to crunch-time.
The political season always has a few surprises and strange bedfellows. But what’s next, Jennifer Flowers supporting Hillry for president? Oh wait...
Check out The Drudge Report on what the Dems are doing about Huckabee. Seems like they are telling all to lay off him because he would be an easy win for them in 2008 because of his record.
Huckabee promotes 'open door' policy at LULAC convention
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005
By Wesley Brown
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - In a impassioned speech before hundreds of influential Hispanic civil rights leaders from across the nation, Gov. Mike Huckabee told a captive audience Wednesday that America is great because it has always opened it doors up to people seeking a better way of life.
"I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens it heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families ...," Huckabee said as the largely Hispanic audience gave him a standing ovation.
Huckabee was the keynote speaker, along with Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman and CEO John Tyson, at a noon luncheon of the League of United Latin American Citizens, which is holding its 76th annual convention in Little Rock.
About 10,000 political, community and business leaders, along with exhibitors and speakers are in Little Rock attending the convention at the Statehouse Convention Center. The convention started Monday and runs through Saturday.
Although he never actually talked about the U.S. or Arkansas immigration policy, Huckabee made it very clear where he stood on the issue. In his opening remarks, he said the nation will need to address the concerns of the Hispanic community because of its growing influence and population base.
He told the LULAC delegates that their presence in the state's capital city was very important because Arkansas has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the nation. "Your gathering is so very significant for our state," Huckabee said. "We are delighted to have you."
Despite several light moments, Huckabee did not stray away from several controversial issues that made him a target of criticism during the recently ended 85th General Assembly. He said Arkansas needs to make the transition from a traditional Southern state to one that recognizes and cherishes diversity "in culture, in language and in population."
"This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico," Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. "But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force."
During the legislation session, Huckabee criticized an immigration bill by Republican senators Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith as un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life. Senate Bill 206, which died in the Senate, would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and also force state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally. Holt, R-Springdale, replied later to Huckabee's comments that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.
notice that the only candidate with “Excellent” rating is Tom Tancredo.
Tanc is Da Man!
None of his history matters, apparently. Myself, I look 90% at a guys record at maybe 10% at current rhetoric. I must have it backwards.
If the Repubs are gullible enough to nominate the Huckster, we deserve all that follows.
Can’t accuse Gilchrist of being paid off (if he had endorsed Precious Willard), so I just accuse him of being a sell-out to the illegal supporting fraud Huckster.
Except Hunter is better. Tanc is more vocal on restricting legal immigration, but he is not as strong on illegals. Close, but not quite.
Somebody refresh my recollection here— wasn’t Gilchrist forced out of the Minutemen last year? Something about allegations of financial improprieties?
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