Posted on 03/02/2008 2:08:45 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, flanked by Chuck Norris, Minutemen founder Jim Gilchrist and U.S. Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, stood beneath Laredo's railroad bridge near the riverbank Saturday morning advocating stronger border security, including constructing a border fence, having more law enforcement and eliminating carrizo."I come away from this with a better understanding of this," Huckabee said after touring Border Patrol facilities and later hiking to the edge of the Rio Grande to get a personal view of the terrain.
"But also a sense of urgency that as a country we need to put our resources on border protection rather than waiting until people have gotten past our borders into our country and then creating problems," Huckabee said. "There's an old saying: It cost a whole lot more to do it over than it does to do it right.
"Doing it right is capturing criminals at the border," he added. "And then designing a system where people can come into this country for the purposes of work, doing it the legal, responsible way and not creating what we have now, which is an absolutely uncontrolled situation."
Huckabee is the only Republican presidential candidate to visit Laredo, historically a strong Democratic city, during the heat of the primary race. But to Huckabee and his supporters, it is not about party affiliation.
"It's just a matter of getting your message across to the people," Norris said, adding that he is "more of an Independent" than a Republican, but Huckabee's policies struck a cord with the martial arts guru and former "Walker, Texas Ranger" star.
"One thing is the fair tax concept," Norris said, explaining that when he was struggling working two jobs and later reached middle class, much of his earnings went to the government. "What (Huckabee) wants to do with the fair tax is everyone keep all their money, and if you want to buy something, then you pay for it."
Norris' presence seemed as popular as Huckabee's for the few Laredoans in attendance, as they shook his hand and took photos with him.
As Huckabee addressed a small crowd of media and several local members of the Republican Party, including District VI Councilman Gene Belmares, he repeatedly stressed that the U.S. government needs to have stricter immigration laws to be aware of who enters the country.
"If they're people with a criminal background or they're people who happen to have a suitcase with a dirty bomb, I'd kind of like to know that before they walk through the border," Huckabee said.
Huckabee's visit coincided with a local protest against the border fence. After speaking with Laredo sector Border Patrol Chief Carlos X. Carrillo and touring the border, Huckabee maintained that "fences work," though they are not the only solution to border security.
"I recognize that there are some natural impediments, like the river, but the river is not a very good impediment if we have this carrizo cane," Huckabee said. "I don't think it's an all-or-nothing issue."
Eradicating the carrizo cane, a touchy issue for some locally, is another method to facilitate border security, Huckabee said, as is more Border Patrol agents and even civilians, or Minutemen, patrolling.
"As long as they operate within the law, of course, I (support civilian patrols)," Huckabee said. "Citizens have every right to monitor. This is their border."
Carrizo "is an environmental hazard," Huckabee said.
"Carrizo cane has virtually no positive environmental qualities," he said. "In fact, it has a very negative one because it soaks up water."
Before trekking to the Rio Grande, Huckabee met Carrillo at the Border Patrol facility on West Del Mar Boulevard for a briefing and tour.
Meanwhile, others there to meet Huckabee toured the Border Patrol's command center. Those unfamiliar with the U.S.-Mexico border including Huckabee's wife, Janet, were acclimated to the area.
"What river is this? I'm sorry, I'm just not familiar," she asked as agents explained how they use boats to patrol in some parts of the 171 miles of river the Laredo sector covers.
Janet Huckabee and Gilchrist quizzed Border Patrol agents on border security operations here and learned about the equipment used to apprehend undocumented immigrants.
Some were surprised to learn Laredo's Border Patrol has apprehended 16,000 people since October 2007.
Others asking questions were also unfamiliar with Operation Streamline, which requires any undocumented immigrant in the Laredo area to go through the court system and serve time in jail, as opposed to being immediately sent back to their native country, though some questioned whether that is a responsible use of taxpayer money.
The Huckabee group was also able to view the weapons and body armor Border Patrol uses and one of two boats the sector has.
The Laredo sector expects to have two airboats delivered next month and an additional four by midsummer, at which time boat patrols in shallow areas of the river will be able to begin. Agents also said 1,200 Border Patrol agents are here now but they hope to increase that by 400 by the end of the year.
(Ashley Richards may be reached at 728-2538 or by e-mail at ashley@lmtonline.com)
Kansas is in the Deep South?
Live long and prosper.
Maybe Hunter kicked some border sense into the Huckster. Keep at McCain Huckster, he needs some opposition.
What’s the delegate count?
Can Huckabee still pull this thing out and if so how?
Why has Free Republic so quickly pulled Huckabee’s name out of “Popular Keywords” list?
rino
He is a superb gentleman, honest and unlike any other candidate in the race at this time a man of honor.
But then again, he doesn't have to resort ot filthy language so the rinos will never support him for they have garbage mouth mccain.
Huckabee is not a viable candidate. He is also not a conservative. He is clueless on foreign policy, he didn’t become a FairTaxer until recently, and he stole Ron Paul’s ideas on trade and taxes. But enjoy backing a snake oil salesman who is using you guys to pad his resume for 2012. He doesn’t care about stopping the Dems, it’s all about HIM.
Huckabee says that his most important issue is securing the border and deporting illegal aliens. His literature states that, while he was a governor, he cut taxes and fees 90 times and that, he proved, while he was a governor, that he’s pro-life, pro-gun rights, and anti-gay marriage. Which of those views is liberal?
Ann Coulter got it right-- he is the Jimmy Swaggart of politics. Nice people who support him-- but he's playing them for suckers.
Ah, illegal immigration. One big issue that would have worked in the Republicans’ favor. McCain has killed that.
He says that now. His record and rhetoric says otherwise.
His literature states that, while he was a governor, he cut taxes and fees 90 times
He's raised taxes more. He begged the AR legislature for a tax increase. He supports a smoking ban & wants federally-funded music and arts in public schools.
and that, he proved, while he was a governor, that he’s pro-life, pro-gun rights, and anti-gay marriage. Which of those views is liberal?
On abortion, Huckabee flip-flopped. In 2005, he supported having abortion return the to states with the overturning of Roe vs Wade; now he supports a human-life amendment that simply isn't feasible and would take years to pass. His 2nd Amendment stand is excellent (though he's not in Ron Paul's league on the 2nd) and the federal government should stay out of marriage. Huckabee has no concept of the principles of federalism or limited government. He is a big government compassionate conservative with streaks of authoritarianism. But it's moot because he's not going to be President, this year or 2012.
I agree with your sentiments regarding Hucakbee and Hunter.
(Welcome!)
“I hope the Huckster wins this primary, if only to keep McCain’s feet to the fire.”
Whose delegates arrive at the convention if you vote Huckabee? HUCKABEE’S! The only feet those delegates will keep to the fire is their own, when they dance in hell for knowingly being that Elmer Gantry’s minions. If you’re voting for that charlatan to represent conservatives, you’d do just as well voting for McCain himself.
“Pretty soon, Southern white guys like me may be in the minority,” Huckabee said jokingly as the crowd roared in laughter.
Man I hated the low rent Elmer Gantry before hatin’ em was cool!
Great minds think alike! Your tag line is impressive, too. Maybe we’re hanging out on the wrong thread. LOL!
Not the wrong thread if Huckabust is taking it in the chops.LOL,
Regards
Seems more than a little late for the Huckster to “go to the border and learn for himself”.
Not exactly like the border location hasn’t been known to all for a deceptively long time or that he couldn’t afford the trip LONG before now.
A pathetic attempt to look like Huckster now “gets it”.
“”I come away from this with a better understanding of this,” Huckabee said after touring Border Patrol facilities and later hiking to the edge of the Rio Grande to get a personal view of the terrain.
“But also a sense of urgency that as a country we need to put our resources on border protection rather than waiting until people have gotten past our borders into our country and then creating problems,” Huckabee said. “There’s an old saying: It cost a whole lot more to do it over than it does to do it right. “
Too bad Huck didn’t actually see the border problem before he made some of his gigantic gaffs.
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