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Posted on 04/30/2013 8:12:42 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
In the current debate over revamping the nation's immigration laws, there may be no elected official with more on the line than Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
Rubio, a Republican and Cuban-American from Miami, was elected to the Senate with strong support from the Tea Party and other conservatives. Rubio's challenge is to convince conservative skeptics that by supporting an immigration overhaul, he hasn't betrayed them.
Among other things, the Senate immigration bill tightens security on the borders and creates a pathway for immigrants who came to the country illegally to become citizens. Eight senators — four Democrats and four Republicans — helped write it. But since its introduction, Rubio is about the only one you see.
U.S. With Or Without Reform, Immigration Lawyers In Short Supply He has appeared on more than a dozen radio talk shows, targeting his pitch to the conservative Republicans who are some of the bill's most outspoken opponents.
When he appeared on talk radio's Laura Ingraham Show, the host asked: "Isn't it reasonable for these conservatives to assume that you've been duped here?"
"No, it isn't," Rubio responded, "because the fact of the matter is that this bill reflects principles that I issued back in January on immigration reform that were different from the principles the president had laid out. In essence, they've come to our position. We haven't gone to theirs."
One of the main concerns of radio talk show hosts, Tea Party activists and conservative bloggers is that Rubio and other Republicans are giving away too much on an issue they believe mostly helps Democrats.
After having Rubio on his show, conservative talk host Rush Limbaugh warned of the consequences. "There's no doubt there's a correlation: '86 amnesty and the Republican Party lost California," he said.
Limbaugh was talking about the 1986 immigration overhaul bill supported by Republicans, including President Ronald Reagan, that granted amnesty to nearly 3 million immigrants who had come to the United States illegally. Limbaugh and other conservatives say that amnesty helped spur more illegal immigration and created new Latino voters who helped put California in the Democratic column.
"There are legitimate fears that the same thing is going to happen to the country — that Republicans, conservatives, are going to end up just being outnumbered," Limbaugh said.
Rubio's office has dismissed fears that immigration reform will create a bonanza of new Democrats. Not all of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants will become citizens, they say, and an even smaller percentage will vote. And many Republicans say the right candidate with a history of doing well with Hispanics — like Rubio or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, for example — could do a lot to turn it around.
But for Rubio and other Republicans pushing the immigration bill, the conservative backlash is the immediate problem, and they are doing what they can to tamp it down. Americans for a Conservative Direction is running ads in Florida, North Carolina, Texas and three other states.
YouTube One ad features footage of Rubio saying: "What we have in place today is de facto amnesty." A narrator adds: "Conservative leaders have a plan — the toughest enforcement measure in the history of the United States."
While the pushback from the right against immigration reform is worrying to some Republicans, it's not likely to derail the bill. Some of the best-funded conservative organizations — like Americans for Prosperity, the Club for Growth and FreedomWorks — are staying out of the fight. And in the grass roots, Tea Party groups are split over the issue.
Within the Republican Party, there are many like Miami Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart who says the push for an immigration overhaul just recognizes reality.
"I wish we didn't have a Democratically controlled Senate and a Democratic president. But that's the reality," Diaz-Balart says. "So if we're going to pass legislation to deal with these issues that everybody understands have to be fixed, it's going to have to be a bipartisan bill."
Earlier this month, a group of Tea Party supporters held a protest at Rubio's office in Palm Beach County to express their displeasure with his support for the bill. It was a potentially worrying incident for Rubio.
But one of the demonstration's leaders, Jim McGovern, says while they may disagree over this issue, he still likes Rubio.
"Short of his committing a mortal sin or something like that, in my eyes, I'm still going to be a Rubio supporter," McGovern says.
On the radio talk shows, Rubio has had to answer some tough questions but has been mostly treated well. In the meantime, Rubio is being praised for his leadership and political courage — qualities that could be important in any future runs, including for president.
No way he’s been duped. Most likely he’s been promised the VP slot by Prince Jeb.
Baloney! Enforcement of the law secures the border. Something which isn't done now and won't be done in the future.
Isn't there some way to appeal to Hispanics without rewarding them for breaking the law?
Not a dupe? Then you must be a subversive pos.
The problem with Rubio, as for many American hispanics, is that they are more loyal to their foreign ethnic bretheren, than they are to America. Period.
Lindsey is getting jealous, HE’s SUPPOSED to be McCain jr not Rubio.
Oh, don’t worry, Marky, I know you weren’t duped.
You are simply a liar, and you’re doing this on purpose.
What is really ridiculous is that Rubio thinks that he or Jeb Bush can garner the Hispanic vote.
Jeb Bush got elected in Florida with the Cuban Hispanic vote.
Rubio is a Cuban Hispanic. He thinks like a Cuban Hispanic. That is where his rhetoric about the goodness of this country originates. His roots are in escape from Marxist/Socialism.
But, Cuban Hispanics do not think or vote like Mexicans.
Mexicans in my broad and long experience just don’t consider Cubans Hispanics. Mexicans are fiercely proud of being Mexican. Mexican is the best and only Hispanic. As and aside, I sympathize with and share that opinion. Mexico is being destroyed be emigration into the United States.
But Mexicans vote for Jeb Bush or Rubio? Don’t be fooled Conservatives. And don’t be fooled by Bush or Rubio again.
The above is why Hillary is beating both Bush and Rubio in the polls right now in Florida.
Very information list there. I would say Rubio has been bought and paid for. He isn’t naive or misguided, he’s bought.
I’m afraid you are correct.
WHO is Americans for a Conservative Direction?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3014121/posts
> “No, it isn’t,” Rubio responded, “because the fact of the matter is that this bill reflects principles that I issued back in January on immigration reform that were different from the principles the president had laid out. In essence, they’ve come to our position. We haven’t gone to theirs.”
Dear Senator Rubio,
With all due respect, you are so naive. The Democrats may have appeared to have come to your position but as soon as the bill is signed into law they will use Executive Orders to subvert the law and twist it to their will.
Your first priority is to support Sarah Palin in electing more Tea Party approved conservative Senators. With a conservative Senate, we will then be able to entrust immigration reform including voter ID reform to our government. Until then, step away from immigration reform and let it die for the time being.
Timing is Everything and the Timing is NOT NOW.
I’ve heard it since the name “Reagan” could have been plugged in for “Rubio.” It’s the same old bait and switch the Dems have been pulling for years. It’s same with the budget: Raise taxes now and we’ll cut spending tomorrow.
“I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”
NPR, lol.
I don’t think he has been duped. I know he is a fraud.
LOL! Of course he hasn’t been duped! He drank the Fool-Aid and all is fine now.
/sarc
Rubio is proving to be a big disappointment to those of us who thought he might bring a brighter, better future to the Republican Party. Republican stars need to stop getting duped into the illegal immigrant trap, and concentrate on fixing legal immigration, so that the interests of the US are served.
Rubio is selling the same crap McStain and ChuckU schumer have been peddling for years. He is either a naive fool or worse really wants amnesty, either way it’s a loser for him politically.
I think old Marco even has Rush considering a sip of the spicy amnesty kool-aid.
Pass this and the GOP is deader than four o’clock come November 2014. And they are that stupid.
Fixed it for you.
“The problem with Rubio, as for many American hispanics, is that they are more loyal to their foreign ethnic bretheren, than they are to America. Period.”
Hit the bullseye.
The bill is amnesty for 11+ million Mexicans.
It’s the + that bothers me. I’m not sure anyone knows just how many wet backs and chain children and relatives we are talking about. And frankly if we were a mind to obey the law, all would be headed south with or without our help.
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