Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Debunking the Perry Immigration Lie
TownHall ^ | Sept. 25, 2011 | Kevin McCullough

Posted on 09/25/2011 10:37:58 AM PDT by Clairity

In this week's GOP Presidential debate, Governor Mitt Romney and Senator Rick Santorum both repeated untruths about Governor Rick Perry's immigration position. It is time to set the record straight.

First let me say, I've not endorsed a candidate and though I've predicted a Perry win in 2012, it is not based on a personal desire, but rather the assessment of all the data that I believe the general election race will be dependent on. I did the same thing in 2006, predicting a Barack Obama win, but by no means endorsing his candidacy.

Second let me also say, this week's debate performance by Governor Rick Perry was bizarre and seemed to run out of complete steam in the final thirty minutes. In fact I was so curious as to the Governor's performance down the stretch I inquired to the Perry campaign to see if the Governor had taken ill, or had some other medical issue arise in the final half hour.

But on Thursday evening it did become clear that the GOP opponents intend to rhetorically bloody Governor Perry as best they can until they begin to be eliminated from the race.

In the debate, Chris Wallace asked a direct question to Mitt Romney regarding the in-state tuition rates of children who live in the state, but happen to have parents who came here illegally.

Mitt Romney replied, "I don't see how it is that a state like Texas--to go to the University of Texas--if you're an illegal alien--you get an in-state tuition discount. D'you know how much that is? It's twenty-two thousand dollars a year. Four years of college you're almost a hundred thousand dollar discount if you're an illegal alien--if you go to the University of Texas. If you're a United States citizen, from any one of the other forty-nine states, you have to pay a hundred thousand dollars more. That doesn't make sense to me. And that kind of magnet, draws people into this country, to get that education, to get that kind of hundred thousand dollar break, it makes no sense..."

I was disappointed that Chris Wallace didn't stop him and make him answer the question he had actually asked him.

Maybe Mitt Romney doesn't realize that many children of illegal aliens aren't illegals themselves. And as long as birth-rite citizenship is the law, anchor babies are protected under the law with equal benefits to all other American citizens.

Maybe Mitt Romney doesn't realize that nearly all of the rest of children of illegals had no choice in whether to live in Texas or not. If they were brought there by parents who were illegal--how is that the child's fault? Is Romney ready to charge those children with crimes? Mass deportations? Even Romney has not pledged to go that far.

Maybe Mitt Romney somehow missed the point that Governor Perry's problem is one that the Federal Government created for him. By refusing to enforce current immigration law, the Obama administration has made life for border states unbelievably difficult. And in some cases the Federal Government is even attempting to choke out state's rights to react to border issues in any way whatsoever.

Maybe Mitt Romney is completely ignorant of what the reality of dealing with the border actually means--in real terms. Gov. Perry had to raise $400 million in state taxes to attempt to shore up the border and do the job that the Feds should be doing.

Or maybe Governor Romney believes he doesn't need any votes from legal Hispanics and legal immigrants who are wrestling with the real issue of being in a position where their family's future is in question.

But to set the record straight, it was the state of Texas, and most specifically its lawfully elected legislature that drafted the legislation and passed it with only 4 votes of 181 possible to vote against it. Yes, Governor Perry signed it into law, but it was a definitively bi-partisan initiative that the people of Texas clearly wanted to see become law.

Additionally, Governor Perry has actual compassion for these children who ended up in his state, outside of their own doing. Educating them gets them working and contributing to the state's treasury faster, and is more meaningful than letting them sit on the sidelines.

And despite what the unusually angry Rick Santorum offered, all the legislation did was allow those children (NOT ILLEGAL ALIENS AT LARGE) to get the same "starting point" in state institutions that all of their classmates got. The stupid argument that Romney and Santorum grew red-faced and spittle-spewing over didn't seem to hold true against Texas where non-Texan students would have to pay $88,000 more than other Texas-raised children. And states discriminate that way against other children from other regions of the country--all the time.

President Obama will need to re-energize the American Hispanic vote in order for him to win re-election. They had left him on the economy, and they were never with him on his values. But Mitt Romney--who vows allegiance to a church that had at its core a racist doctrine until only a couple of decades ago--is verging on alienating other ethnic groups, in part because he is not telling the truth about the Texas legislature's law to allow children (not illegal aliens who crossed the border--the children of) to simply pay the same amount of tuition as the kids they sit next to in class.

In short Perry knows this problem intimately. And it will be a cold day in Hades before he ever signs a federal version of the DREAM Act. He believes in fencing, technology, state's rights, and workplace incentives.

Which more or less means he believes in the same enforcement techniques as all the rest of the GOP field.

And for Santorum and Romney to pretend otherwise is sanctimonious and dishonest.


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: aliens; gopdebate; illegalimmigration; immigration; obama; perry; perry2012; romney; santorum
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 361-366 next last
To: Conservativegreatgrandma
I'm trying to point out that others (including Palin) have not been scrutinized to the same extent as Perry.

Whatever Pinocchio. And you aren't even ashamed of the lie.

You keep throwing that mud at others in order to make Perry look cleaner. Enjoy.

And have a nice day.

161 posted on 09/25/2011 1:07:47 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are here! What will you do?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 157 | View Replies]

To: Conservativegreatgrandma
I am not defending Perry. I'm trying to point out that others (including Palin) have not been scrutinized to the same extent as Perry. If Perry cant' defend his position, neither can Palin--her's is just as bad. You think you can create a path for Palin by destroying Perry and if that would happen, Palin may be in for the same kind of scrutiny. She quit when liberals went after her in AK, what will she do when they come after her here?

I think you are projecting something else about Sarah that you will NOT put into words. I have read about everything any human would ever care to know about another in regard to Sarah, except how many hairs she has growing on her head. Hard hearted Perry has NOT even begun to be examined. So let go of what is YOUR real issue with Sarah. Truth be told it is NOT about her 'quitting', but something that really itches you in an inner place.

162 posted on 09/25/2011 1:10:11 PM PDT by Just mythoughts (Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 157 | View Replies]

To: justsaynomore

That’s not what I have been told...by others ‘close’ to his campaign. And those who’ve told me are pro’s who’ve been involved in lots of campaigns for a whole lot of years. I hope you are right...I cause he is the only other in this race I can happily support. Time will tell, want it?


163 posted on 09/25/2011 1:10:47 PM PDT by shield (Rev 2:9 Woe unto those who say they are Judahites and are not, but are of the syna GOG ue of Satan.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: skinkinthegrass

Glad you got a good dose of endorphins.

Great action smiley!


164 posted on 09/25/2011 1:11:20 PM PDT by algernonpj (He who pays the piper . . .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 108 | View Replies]

To: Allegra

It’s looking pretty ugly at the moment :(


165 posted on 09/25/2011 1:11:36 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 133 | View Replies]

To: Ingtar
There have been a lot of lies misrepresenting where Perry stands on immigration.

A lot of lies have been told by FReepers. If they have to lie to prove their point, they don't really have a point.

IMO, the libs are loving this and in the general election it's going to come back to bite the GOP candidate in the butt!

166 posted on 09/25/2011 1:12:23 PM PDT by lonestar (It takes a village of idiots to elect a village idiot.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Clairity

Clarity, you are the fervent promoter of the loser Perry, question is why? You surely don’t believe the propaganda you post. Texas is fast becoming a cesspool, just like Kalifornia, and for some reason you think that is a way to keep the Republic intact.

You avoided the Cain threads last night like the plague, but here you are today in full force. The attact you have mounted against Cain or for that matter anyone but Perry, is “Heartless.”

Here is the truth get used to it. Not one of the current nine will be at the top of the ticket, whether Palin runs or not.

By the way, passing the buck to the Feds on issues that you know for a fact they won’t address, is dishonest to the core. It does however let you hide your true agenda. Time tested progressive move it is.


167 posted on 09/25/2011 1:14:04 PM PDT by itsahoot (The MSM will not pick my candidate--I will still vote for Sarah Palin, even if she doesn't run.--)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 114 | View Replies]

To: plain talk; old curmudgeon

“Well .. children of bank robbers shouldn’t be blamed for the actions of their parents. Each person should be accountable for their actions not their parents. Are you suggesting otherwise? “

So...should the children of bank robbers get to keep the money?


168 posted on 09/25/2011 1:15:10 PM PDT by Mr Rogers ("they found themselves made strangers in their own country")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: DJ MacWoW
When emotion takes over thought and fact go out the window.

Problem is that is usually a liberal trait...letting emotion run rampant and critical thinking goes out the window...

169 posted on 09/25/2011 1:16:55 PM PDT by Niteflyr ("The number one goal in life is to parent yourself" Carl Jung)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 158 | View Replies]

To: org.whodat
As you know, Texas is in the midst of a terrible drought and you would like to cut them off from the Rio Grande.
170 posted on 09/25/2011 1:18:38 PM PDT by Eva
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 146 | View Replies]

To: DJ MacWoW

What does Obama’s suing Az have to do with Perry?
All Perry ever said was that Brewers law was not right for Texas.

And IMHO he is correct.
I personally don’t think Brewers law can work in Az.

I think she is blowing smoke. I think it is lip service.

I lived in Az and patrolled the border there.
What is the status of the Brewer fence?


171 posted on 09/25/2011 1:18:51 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 142 | View Replies]

To: All

Illegal immigrants count against a state in measuring High School graduation rates, perhaps the state is looking for ways to increase graduation rates by offering in-state tuition as an incentive.

The illegal immigrants are here, the feds won’t do anything about it but the crimes, poverty and graduation rate count against a state.

While the whole immigration thing makes me angry beyond belief, I can’t really blame states getting creative in trying to improve their situation. This problem is squarely on the federal gov’t’s shoulders.

I don’t see Bachmann and Paul up there writing legislation to try and deal with this.


172 posted on 09/25/2011 1:20:54 PM PDT by Irenic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 158 | View Replies]

To: Confab

{Sure, they pay their taxes, but because they’re forced to}

Always been a mystery to me, how much taxable income, would an illegal have to earn to pay for the three to five children they will have in public school, at $10,000.00 a head? I am not real good at math, but seems like it would be a pretty large sum for a gardner of dry wall installer.


173 posted on 09/25/2011 1:21:23 PM PDT by itsahoot (The MSM will not pick my candidate--I will still vote for Sarah Palin, even if she doesn't run.--)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 125 | View Replies]

To: DJ MacWoW

Who are you talking about?


174 posted on 09/25/2011 1:24:04 PM PDT by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 155 | View Replies]

To: All
Maybe another half-dozen of these Clairity spin posts will convert us heartless Freepers.

Nawwww!

175 posted on 09/25/2011 1:26:02 PM PDT by eens (beware the errors of Russia)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DJ MacWoW

I am not attacking anyone. I deal in the facts. I have been a Palin supporter since Day 1, but I am not going to misrepresent her position.


176 posted on 09/25/2011 1:26:16 PM PDT by KansasGirl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 147 | View Replies]

To: Niteflyr
Yes. It is. So is reframing the debate. There's a LOT of that going on here.

I also see Alinsky's rules used.

The toilet has been flushed! Grab the rim! ;-)

Later.

177 posted on 09/25/2011 1:27:23 PM PDT by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are here! What will you do?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 169 | View Replies]

To: Ajnin
Any child born to illegal aliens is an illegal alien regardless of where they were born.

Wishing it was so doesn't make it so.

178 posted on 09/25/2011 1:27:28 PM PDT by Hugin ("A man'll usually tell you his bad intentions if you listen andY let yourself hear it"--- Open Range)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: eens
Maybe another half-dozen of these Clairity spin posts will convert us heartless Freepers. Nawwww!

I've added "heartless" to my resume...along with "racist"..."terrorist" ...."hostage-taker"....etc etc....

179 posted on 09/25/2011 1:28:45 PM PDT by Niteflyr ("The number one goal in life is to parent yourself" Carl Jung)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 175 | View Replies]

To: Tammy8

No, you misunderstand. I’m not talking about the primaries. I’m talking about the general election. The primaries are the time to decide which Republican candidate you want to support.

By the time the “main” debates roll around, if you aren’t decided, then yes, you are braindead. The problem is that Perry appears to be a horrible debater and those undecided voters are exactly the type that can be swayed by a debate performance.

Does that make sense?


180 posted on 09/25/2011 1:30:34 PM PDT by flintsilver7 (Honest reporting hasn't caught on in the United States.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 141-160161-180181-200 ... 361-366 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson