Huckabee retreats on birthright citizenship

Washington Times ^ | January 9, 2008 | Stephen Dinan

[JohnnyZ]

. To get rid of illegal immigration you have to get rid of the INCENTIVE to sneak here. Get rid of the ability to get jobs and get rid of this cheating means which parents of anchor-babies are using to bring their entire extended family here.

My understanding is that they ended the anchor baby thing.

And if they didn't, they can remove any other preference illegals currently get for having a citizen child.

There goes your objection to birthright citizenship.

Your arguments are all pure misplaced emotion and and lack any sort of logic.

I would return the comment to you, sir.

[unspun]

The testimony of one person, who has just been fired, about the person who fired him.

Why would it be likely that Huckabee is to be called "dishonest," here?

[unspun]

-he’s flopped on the only issue that got my attention - stopping the anchor baby program.

That is disappointing about Huckabee. But, what does it say about you?

[nicmarlo]

Because it appears that someone lost their job, more likely for not complying with what Huckabee wanted than for going along with what Huckabee wanted.

In the long run, God only knows of course, but it surely doesn’t appear “out of character” for Huckabee to be doing things expedient to himself or his own personal interests, even while running for office.

And that is why it wouldn’t surprise me if what appears to be a possibility would actually be true.

[tioga]

The anchor baby program giving the children of illegal immigrants is part of the amnesty program......which I along with most of America put a stop to.

The sHuckster is fooling a lot of people - he is NO conservative. He may be religious, but he is not a conservative.

Thus is says I am a conservative who will vote on conservative issues - that’s what.

[unspun]

I’ve known both politicians and policemen well enough to know I cannot take what either of them says to heart, when they’re testimonies (and personal interests) conflict.

[nicmarlo]

Then, based upon YOUR opinion, I am persuaded to rethink my thoughts on this issue.

[TalonDJ]

My understanding is that they ended the anchor baby thing.

They didn't.

And if they didn't, they can remove any other preference illegals currently get for having a citizen child.

They can't. Enforcing the boarder means sending boarder crossers back. If they have a baby that is a citizen you either have to separate a baby from his parents, deport a US citizen who has broken no law (the baby) or you have to give the parents 'preferential' treatment by not deporting them. US citizens are allowed to do certain things to get their relatives brought over. To remove such rights from Anchor babies would be to make them a lower class of US citizens that lacks certain rights. Since the parents of this infant citizen are not legally allowed to work you have to wave that law in order that they might provide the baby with food and housing. Or else you have to give the baby welfare to provide it such things. And since you can't take it from the parents then you are stuck giving the parents welfare benefits too, or allowing them to break the law to provide those things themselves. Alternatively you can just change the constitution to say that to be a citizen strictly by birth geography you must have at least one citizen parent. Presto, problem solved. See how easy it is to figure stuff out with logic?

Now if we were applying raw emotion to it. Oh, the poor baby! It deserves sympathy. How dare we send it back to Mexico! We should keep it here and give it the good life. While we are at it let's give it's parents the good life. Oh, and why should the babies born just a few miles south of the boarder be different? Give them Citizenship too! In fact, give it to all babies everywhere! Anyone that comes to the US before the age of one should be treated like a citizen. After all, we should not punish the innocent children. Yeah! Children! Those should get it too. Up to age 10 everyone that comes is entitled to citizenship. This is compassion after all. But why stop there...

Come to think of it, other babies whose parents brake the law should not be denied the benefits. I think the children of bank robbers should be able to keep a cut of the take. But don't worry, their parents will still go to jail... no no, that punishes them for the actions of their parents! Better not send the parent to jail. Anyone with children should be exempt from the penalties of law breaking if that penalty in some way inconveniences the child.

No wait, that line of thinking is applying misguided sympathy AND logic. If we dial back on the sympathy and leave off the logic we can just keep things the way they are now.

But hey, I am not the keeper of all logic and reason. Feel free to tell me how we can allow anchor babies to be citizens but not give their families special treatment?

[unspun]

Then, based upon YOUR opinion, I am persuaded to rethink my thoughts on this issue.

-smile-

I think it is clear that Huckabee has a propensity to let his tongue get ahead of his heart and his feet.

I think he also comes from a state where one's opponents are oftened determined to ruin a politician -- and one's allies and staff, the same, unfortunately.

I think there are open questions for Mike Huckabee.

However, I have to compare him to John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Mitt Romney (and Fred Thompson, but I think he's a non-issue, unfortunately, just wait ten days). It could actually be that among these, John McCain is the more consistently honest. I don't know.

But, unless there are significant changes from now through the process, the principles of the American republic have me pulling for Mike Huckabee.

Frankly, for me, McCain would be the likely, sad second choice. Huckabee's character may be in question, but how could I trust inner-circle Romney, or pro-abortion Giuliani?

[unspun]

Pardon, I mean just wait 17 days, until the SC primary, regarding Thompson’s candidacy.

[nicmarlo]

Well, I agree with much of your commentary...except for McCain. I could never vote for someone who authored CFR and has done some other grave things while a senator (and don’t get me started on his amnesty crap).

God help this country....honestly, it sure looks like there’s a dim light ahead....

[nicmarlo]

You think that if he doesn’t win that, he’ll remove himself?

[unspun]

You think that if he doesn’t win that, he’ll remove himself?

I think he's intimated about the same. If not win, then say, within five points, maybe -- ten?

I doubt he winds up within fifteen points. He consistently appeals with his past and voters are insisting we deal with the present and future.

He also comes across as more of a grump than even Bob Dole in 1996 -- though maybe not quite as much of a curmudgeon as Norm MacDonald's famous portrayals of Dole on Saturday Night Live. Just think of what would be made of Thompson.

Huckabee just got along fine a couple nights ago on Letterman, even.

What used to be "the youth vote" is now the middle aged vote and the youth vote is uncharacteristically charged, this year.

[Robbin]

Don’t you think part of the ROOT OF THE PROBLEM is that an illegal, knows his or her child born here IS AN ANCHOR BABY!
Their child insures they will be citizens! If we use your logic, they are nothing but innocent newborns. Why deny citizenship to the poor new borns in Mexico who’s parents didn’t make it across the border? Why not just allow ANY newborn to apply for citizen ship from anywhere in the world. Why should we only extend our protection to the ones who’s parents managed to break our laws.

[nicmarlo]

I remember when Dole ran...he even stopped in the Colorado town where I lived at the time....not a terribly exciting campaign, lol.

I did hear and read about Huckabee’s great appeal, apparently, on Letterman’s show.

I think the youth are coming ‘round...a good thing. Let’s hope that they read on the issues, though, and aren’t persuaded by what the MSM is saying about any candidate or are thinking about government “freebies” they could personally get (as that would likely lead them to vote Rat, of course).

[nicmarlo]

Oh, btw, when I say “youth” I truly mean the youth....I’ve been reading that they, also, are more geared up and interested in politics than the youth have been for a long while, and they are more conservative than historically have been....if this be true, this is good.

[unspun]

Oh, btw, when I say “youth” I truly mean the youth....I’ve been reading that they, also, are more geared up and interested in politics than the youth have been for a long while, and they are more conservative than historically have been....if this be true, this is good

I hope so. Maybe that's what has 'encouraged' Obama to keep the (Black) Liberation Theology of his chosen church and belief system in check.

I'm going to try to rattle the cage at the Huckabee campaign. I encourage other FReepers to contact the Huckabee campaign, too, and let them know your concerns: 501-324-2008

[Def Conservative]

As i’ve always said...Huckabee is the WORST candidate in the bunch.

Conservative on 2 issues...whooptie doo!/s

[unspun]

As i’ve always said...Huckabee is the WORST candidate in the bunch. Conservative on 2 issues...whooptie doo!/s

That's flatly untrue and for anyone who is politically literate, very likely deceitful.

[JohnnyZ]

ROOT OF THE PROBLEM is that an illegal, knows his or her child born here IS AN ANCHOR BABY! Their child insures they will be citizens!

There is absolutely no reason that having a citizen child should give an illegal any advantage whatsoever regarding their citizenship application.

Since your beef is with the parents obtaining citizenship through their child, why don't you support denying the lawbreaking parents citizenship?

Why do you instead go after the innocent child?