Hayworth creates stir in House with coments on immigrants

The Arizona Republic ^ | February 15, 2002 | Sergio Bustos and Susan Roth

[dittomom]

WASHINGTON - Arizona Rep. J.D. Hayworth caused a political uproar on the House floor late Wednesday, during debate over campaign finance reform, when he argued in favor of an amendment to prohibit legal immigrants from making campaign contributions.

The amendment failed, but Democratic lawmakers, especially those who are Hispanic, immediately denounced Hayworth for saying legal immigrants are "enemies of the state."

Joe Eule, Hayworth's chief of staff, said Democrats mangled the congressman's remarks for partisan gain. He said Hayworth uttered the phrase "enemies of this state" in reference to the foreign nationals from China who made controversial contributions to the Clinton-Gore re-election campaign in 1996.

"He talks about it all the time whenever the subject is campaign finance reform," Eule said. "How it could have been misconstrued is beyond me."

Hayworth was unavailable for comment Thursday because he was on a flight to Arizona.

Criticism was not limited to Democrats.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, a fellow Republican and a friend of Hayworth, said the comment was "inappropriate."

"I don't think that helps anybody," McCain said. "It certainly doesn't help Republicans with Hispanics."

Immigrant advocate groups also criticized Hayworth.

"It represents a new low in our current political debate," said Judith Golub, a spokeswoman for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "His comment besmirches our history and our traditions, and should be neither accepted nor condoned."

Hayworth made his remarks, which were broadcast live on the cable network C-SPAN, shortly before midnight Wednesday.

An official transcript of the remarks from the House will be available today, but staff members in Hayworth's office provided Gannett News Service with a transcript they had compiled from a tape-recorded video of the proceedings.

Here's a portion of those remarks:

"Well now, my friends, here is your chance to change the system. To say lawful citizens can contribute. No more financiers of Red Pagoda communist Chinese cigarettes; no more daughters of the head of the Chinese equivalent of the CIA who showed up in the Oval Office; no more sham corporations, Chinese shell corporations operated by the Red Army of China, doing their dirty work through soft money to a Clinton-Gore re-election campaign.

"If you're serious about reform, stand up for national security, stand up for this perfecting amendment. But I know the Orwellian phrase will be, somehow this is a poison pill.

"Yes, I guess it is poisonous to disallow enemies of this state access to our political system.

"That is so bizarre. Shame on those who advocate this. Support this amendment. Stand up for America. Improve the system."

That prompted the angry response from Democratic lawmakers in the House chamber.

"Obviously, xenophobia is alive and well in this chamber," said Rep. Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, the son of Cuban immigrants. "This is not about foreign influence in politics. There are 20,000 members of the armed forces who are legal residents. If they can die for this country, sir, they certainly have a right to participate in the process."

"Who are you talking about?" asked Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, the son of Mexican immigrants. "These people are in this country by choice, while others are simply here by accident of birth."

On Thursday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a fund-raising arm of House Democrats, dashed off a lengthy news release, accusing Hayworth of attacking Hispanic legal immigrants, even though the congressman never mentioned the word "Hispanic" in his remarks.

Eule said the Democrats' motive was strictly political.

"This is all about partisanship," he said. "The congressman stands by his remarks."

Arizona Republic Washington correspondent Jerry Kammer contributed to this article.

[dittomom]

Exactly. Hayworth gets alot of grief because he's not one of the wishy-washy 'pubbies.

[dittomom]

Unfortunately, Congress can't seem to write a law that clearly. Smoke and mirrors is their specialty!

[stimulate]

I don't understand your point.

[RAT Patrol]

You don't need to be an expert in literature to understand that a reference in paragraph 3 refers back to the list of "enemies" in paragraph 1.

Even more than partisanship this is about defending the RATs favorite felons -- Clinton/Hillary/Gore. When they violate existing finance laws the cries are "move on".

I do not care how noble the immigrant, our campaigns should be financed by citizens only, with sworn allegiance to THIS nation.

[gaspar]

The Arizona Republic, once a strong conservative voice in the West, has made a strong swing to the left. Its op-ed has been captured by leftist columnists and local wanna-bes like Pimintel. And it's front page is as incisive as USA Today. It's a shame.

[oldvike]

I wonder if Hayworth could someday challenge McInsane for his Senate seat?

[DLfromthedesert]

The way things stand now they can contribute through veterans' groups and other political entities they support. CFR nukes this option.

[stimulate]

Your right about Mcain. He needs the support of the Democrats right now on the campaign reform matter.The Democrats should change their party name to Victocrats:"Poor me, Iam a minority, and you're a bigot if you're white,when you say something that Iam against."

[Hacksaw]

"Obviously, xenophobia is alive and well in this chamber," said Rep. Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, the son of Cuban immigrants. "This is not about foreign influence in politics. There are 20,000 members of the armed forces who are legal residents. If they can die for this country, sir, they certainly have a right to participate in the process."

Bob Menendez is the Dems point man on race baiting. He accused the GOP of racism for delaying the appointment of judge Paez, asscused the Republicans of racism for JC Watts joke about Daschle and Gephardt taking a siesta in Mexica, accused the Republicans of racism for investigating all the illegal votes that Loretta Sanchez recieved, and is now accusing the Republicans of racism for Hayworth's comments.

Bob, we don't feel sorry for you. Go to hell!

[janetgreen]

The barbarians are inside the gates.

You're right. I can't stand to think what this country will be in twenty years, what we're leaving to our kids and grandkids to clean up, probably with some kind of war. You put in words what I've been thinking for years. Thanks.

[m1911]

A fine rant, but illegal aliens were not being discussed, legal ones were. A fine rant, nevertheless.

[gitmogrunt]

J.D. Hayworth a remarkable congressman who will always get my vote.

[Red Jones]

that's very interesting that you'd like JD as a congressman. Your liberal dem alternatives makes any republican far superior in your experience. I'm in JD's district, that's my experience. I agree with jd on this point of this controversy and recognize that Mccain is a jerk (again) to side with the liberals on this. But JD Hayworth is the kind of a republican bum that we should throw out of office. Believe me, it doesn't matter if your district is dominated by a republican or a democrat, after 3 terms 80% of the time they're a bum that should be thrown out. Hayworth is evidence of this. Wish I had a Republican exception in my district. Hayworth's a great guy, but you can take him if you like, if we throw him out, then in 2 years we'll get a real conservative to be in his slot.

[Godel]

As if we needed any more proof that leftists hispanic advocates are blatantly anti-american? They are enemies of the state. Does anyone here doubt that they care more about Mexico and mexican citizens than they do about America?

[grimalkin]

J.D. Hayworth should run for president sometime. :)

[WRhine]

I'm getting sick and tired of the term 'inappropriate'

This is how liberals stifle debate on subjects that concern their scared cows. Foreign contributions into their coffers being one of them; not the Republicans are much better there. We need a whole lot more “inappropriate” debate on this plus issues like illegal immigration before we lose our sovereignty for good.

[WRhine]

I used to be all over immigration topics here. But not anymore. I can't take it. My heart can't take it. I become enraged to the point of silence - I can't think of any more to say or scream. And the things I would say would get me banned if I took them far enough, which I often long to do.

East Bay Patriot I know exactly how you feel. I'm getting close to hanging it up here myself. Nothing drives up my blood pressure more than reading and writing about this depressing "OUTRAGE" of a topic.

[WRhine]

But of course the spineless hand-wringers in this country still don't get it yet. So they can watch their country eroded right in front of their eyes, as they watch the crime rate increase, the third-world corruption creep into their political system, and watch the United States turned into a third world p!sshole with standards of living below those of Bolivia or Mexico.

Bump for another great post.