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Arizona GOP Defies Bush, Calls For Accountability on Illegal Aliens
Talon News Service ^ | 27 January 2004 | Jimmy Moore

Posted on 01/27/2004 10:50:21 AM PST by Spiff

Arizona GOP Defies Bush, Calls For Accountability on Illegal Aliens


By Jimmy Moore
Talon News
January 27, 2004

MESA, AZ (Talon News) -- In direct response to President George W. Bush's recent call for a temporary worker program for illegal aliens in the United States, the Arizona Republican Party overwhelmingly supported a resolution that would protect Arizona taxpayers from the financial impact this would place on them.

During the Arizona Republican Party convention on Saturday, delegates voted 317-109 for the Protect Arizona Now (PAN) petition, which was drafted to help protect taxpayers against the consequences of granting amnesty to illegal aliens including overcrowded hospitals, increased crime rates, rise in prison populations and escalating health care costs, among other things.

The petition itself states that it wants to prevent "abuse or fraud" by illegal aliens of the government services paid for by Arizona taxpayers.

Supporters of the PAN petition are hoping to get the initiative on the November ballot. If the measure is voted into law by Arizonians, then it would require proof of citizenship to be shown prior to receiving government support and benefits.

However, despite the immense support for the PAN petition by most Arizona Republicans, it is not favored by either state or national GOP leaders.

Regardless, state Rep. Randy Graf, a PAN supporter, said voting for this measure equates to upholding the rule of law by ensuring the rights of all Arizona taxpayers and voters.

"This initiative protects the sacred right of voting in this state," Graf stated. "This has nothing to do with any federal law or guest worker program. It is simply about protecting citizens."

However, state Sen. Carolyn Allen expressed her concern that supporting PAN would ultimately be detrimental to the Bush campaign.

"We want to re-elect George Bush and Dick Cheney in this state," Allen explained. "If this passes, we will suffer."

Allen added that the Bush administration is not happy with this proposal.

"The White House is very concerned about this initiative," she said. "This is not going to help our president in this state."

State House candidate J.T. Ready said concerned Republicans should realize that PAN is a common sense approach to dealing with the problem of illegal aliens.

"Why shouldn't we pass this?" inquired Ready. "After all, Blockbuster Video requires two forms of ID to rent a video."

Ready is extremely concerned that Bush appears to be circumventing the law with his proposal to allow for a temporary worker program for illegal aliens.

"I support the president, but the question is if he supports the U.S. Constitution," Ready expressed.

Sen. John Kyl (R-AZ) told the GOP activists in remarks made early in the convention that his meetings with Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft helped educate him on the proposed national Temporary Worker Program.

"My suggestion is as Republicans, we take a breath, gather the facts and not criticize the president other than in our opinions," Kyl instructed.

Kyl admitted that while "virtually all Americans oppose amnesty," Bush's proposal would actually help minimize the continued influx of illegal aliens by holding employers more accountable for who they hire.

"We try hard on the border to keep illegal immigrants out," Kyl stated. "We could do a better job, but we are winking at those hiring illegals. There is a disrespect for the rule of law. It's not good for everybody or the taxpayers who end up subsidizing lower wages."

Arizona Republican Party Chairman Bob Fannin even expressed his concern that the rift between conservatives and GOP leadership over illegal immigration should not be divisive and encouraged the state executive committeemen to support Bush's plan.

Yet Fannin's call for unity was met with criticism and disgust by the committeemen. They believe Fannin should be addressing their sincere concerns with the Temporary Worker Program with the Bush administration directly.

GOPUSA Arizona Editor Dennis Durband warned national GOP leaders to listen to the concerns of the base or else risk losing them as voters in November.

"The lesson to the story is that the Republican Party needs to take in opinions and information from below and give rank and file Republicans legitimate consideration -- as opposed to dictating unpopular policy on an unwilling constituency," Durband wrote.

He continued, "The White House had better start listening to the people and re-thinking its position, because a lot of Republicans are saying Bush will not get their vote as things currently stand. The White House can choose this day whom it will serve. If the White House gets behind PAN, Arizona is in the bag for the president's re-election chances. It's that simple."

Talon News will continue to follow developments in this story.

Copyright © 2004 Talon News -- All rights reserved.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: aliens; amnesty; borderintruders; goparizona; illegalimmigration; invasion; paninitiative
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To: Reaganwuzthebest
The Hispanic vote and pandering to Big Business.
61 posted on 01/27/2004 3:53:27 PM PST by DLfromthedesert (What is the point of fighting in Iraq if we surrender to Vicente?)
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To: DLfromthedesert
The Hispanic vote and pandering to Big Business.

Someone said on another thread that Pete Wilson won more of the hispanic vote in 1994 in California despite supporting Prop 187 than Bush won in 2000, even with all his pandering. Looks to me like Bush is getting terrible advice somewhere along the line.

62 posted on 01/27/2004 3:59:06 PM PST by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: ClintonBeGone
Your comments are spot on. I am sitting 15 miles from the
busiest border corssing in the world. I don't like the
illegal situation, etc. either. BUT, you can't stop a speeding train on a dime. We have to start from where we are now. Those who won't vote for the President because of this issue are the same kind who voted third party and got Clinton. This will be a close election and if Bush is not reelected we will have worse than the illegal issue.
63 posted on 01/27/2004 4:00:40 PM PST by SoCalPol
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To: sweetliberty
The media told you he was anti-immigrant because he opposed SB 60, the licenses for illegal aliens law that 99% of the state opposed.

What they (and he) didn't mention often and tried to hush up was that he supported the idea if it was done "the right way".

But no one payed attention until after the recall was done.

The only candidate 100% in the corner of protecting our borders and fighting the illegals invading CA was Senator Tom McClintock. Of course, you couldn't support Tom, because if you did you were a spoiler and nutty right-winger who really wanted Bustamecha to win instead.
64 posted on 01/27/2004 4:07:24 PM PST by StoneColdGOP (McClintock - In Your Heart, You Know He's Right)
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To: DLfromthedesert
Well, she spoke very highly of you on Saturday. Anyway, did you catch what Nancy is doing with her new group?

She did!? Oh man, I thought she was angry at me right now. It's good to hear that she isn't too angry. She probably just doesn't agree with my methods at times. I'm a little more gung-ho and she's very diplomatic. Sometimes it seems that we end up at odds because she's busy trying to put out fires while I'm busy pouring gasoline on them.

Tell me more about what Nancy Salmon is up to. I haven't heard anything.

65 posted on 01/27/2004 4:07:56 PM PST by Spiff (Have you committed a random act of thoughtcrime today?)
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To: B4Ranch
Well said my man, hope you don't mind if I steal a couple lines for a letter I have going a few local news editors who are out to lunch on this whole issue. One thing I'm constantly thinking about is some way to force these politicians to honor their oaths of office and federal law. Whether it's local politicians granting "sanctuary" to these invaders, state legislators passing education/welfare laws or federal programs designed to help illegals with livng, food or healthcare, THEY ARE ALL BREAKING FEDERAL LAW BY AIDING AND ABETTING THESE PEOPLE! How can these politicians at all levels be above the law? How about a thread where those of us opposing this travesty can exchange some ideas? Also, please add me to your ping list......thanks.
66 posted on 01/27/2004 4:09:21 PM PST by american spirit (ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION = NATIONAL SUICIDE)
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To: Reaganwuzthebest
he is so obsessed with amnestying illegal aliens.

He's definitely behind the curve on this one. Lets face it though, he did say during one of the debates with Gore that he wanted to do this so it should not come as a surprise to everyone. I will admit, I thought 9-11 would have changed his mind and I am disappointed with him.

We elected a guy who was born very rich and didn't have to get serious about life till he was about 40 years old. What middle and working-class people have to go thru is somewhat alien to him. I've been flamed for saying this being accused of promoting class-warfare. The reality is that GWB is the "Lesser of two evils".

Its now up to the grass-roots to get Congress to put a stop to this. We will get no help from the White House on this matter.

A round of drinks should go out to the Arizona Republicans who have defied the elites.

67 posted on 01/27/2004 4:09:45 PM PST by Missouri
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To: SoCalPol
This will be a close election and if Bush is not reelected we will have worse than the illegal issue.

Yep. So true.

68 posted on 01/27/2004 4:09:48 PM PST by ClintonBeGone (Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.)
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To: B4Ranch
That is a chilling map--also a very sad one. Jefferson justified the Louisiana Purchase on the basis of keeping the frontier Anglocized. The wacko egalitarian advocates of an undifferentiated humanity, would I suppose, denounce the Founding Fathers as "Nativists"--spraying the air in their lovable manner, as they did so. But, while offering the world friendship, the Founders knew very well who they were, and had no illusions about human societies being interchangeable.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

69 posted on 01/27/2004 4:11:07 PM PST by Ohioan
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To: B4Ranch
The 1990 map. Does someone have the more current one?

Sort of. The Census 2000 Hispanic Population Distribution map can be seen here, but it's a .PDF file, and I can't grab the image for you. Maybe someone can help.

70 posted on 01/27/2004 4:13:32 PM PST by archy (Angiloj! Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj!)
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To: CIBvet
But his lack of will to respect and protect our National Sovereignty, our National Security and our American Culture, has personally left me to question his committment to protect our National self-interest before the promotion of his Globalist agenda.

Needs repeating (over and over again).

71 posted on 01/27/2004 4:14:12 PM PST by janetgreen (WANTED: A President Who Will Enforce Immigration Laws)
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To: ClintonBeGone
Would you mind reading all of post#30 and tell me what is worse than what I described?
72 posted on 01/27/2004 4:15:01 PM PST by B4Ranch ( Dear Mr. President, Sir, Are you listening to the voters?)
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To: glock rocks
It was an article from San Diego. Most areas were seeing double to triple the number of border crossers while a couple of others had jumped by eight times.

I haven't seen the latest figures for Arizona. A couple of weeks ago it was up by 48%. All I can say is that I no longer have to go hunting for illegals here. Just park on any rise above the border and turn on the infrared camera at night. Groups and groups of them. Right before sunset you can see them getting ready south of the border. Even in the daytime the ground sensors are constantly getting hits.

We do not have enough Border Patrol personnel to handle this. A week ago the BP was talking about sending additional personnel and equipment here, but that would mean pulling too much out of Texas and California when they're needed just as badly there.
73 posted on 01/27/2004 4:15:47 PM PST by JackelopeBreeder (Proud to be a loco gringo armed vigilante terrorist cucaracha!)
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To: B4Ranch
Would you mind reading all of post#30 and tell me what is worse than what I described?

Well, first you have to get me to accept the premise that all those things will come true. I'm not there yet.

74 posted on 01/27/2004 4:18:05 PM PST by ClintonBeGone (Sell crazy someplace else, we're all stocked up here.)
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To: B4Ranch
Great post. Hit the nail on the head.

I do believe President Bush GENERALLY has our best interest at heart. However he is a political animal, and he is looking for ways to get votes and financial contributions.

Plus, he is not really part of the society in which you and I live our lives every day. Remember the incident where his father had never seen a grocery store scanner, despite them having been in every store in the country for 10+ years? So much for being grounded in reality.
75 posted on 01/27/2004 4:25:09 PM PST by WayneM (Cut the KRAP (Karl Rove Amnesty Plan). Call your elected officials and say "NO!!")
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To: DLfromthedesert; Reaganwuzthebest
The Hispanic vote and pandering to Big Business.

And do not forget deep down in his heart he like his father have globalist leanings. Maybe not as bad as th Klintons but they are there.
76 posted on 01/27/2004 4:25:10 PM PST by RiflemanSharpe (An American for a more socially and fiscally conservation America!)
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To: Missouri
Its now up to the grass-roots to get Congress to put a stop to this. We will get no help from the White House on this matter.

It's beginning to look as though Congress has gotten the message as quite a few are coming out against it. But it's still unsettling that Bush refuses to take the hint. 245(i) amnesty was stopped in committee and that was nothing compared to what he wants here.

A round of drinks should go out to the Arizona Republicans who have defied the elites.

Absolutely, these Republicans deserve a thousand kudos for standing up to the party line and their unpopular idea. I hope it spreads.

77 posted on 01/27/2004 4:26:31 PM PST by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: WayneM
Remember the incident where his father had never seen a grocery store scanner
78 posted on 01/27/2004 4:36:52 PM PST by glock rocks (molon labe)
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To: RiflemanSharpe
And do not forget deep down in his heart he like his father have globalist leanings.

As of yet I have not heard Bush speak out against Fox's constant call for opening up the borders in 5 to 10 years. By not doing so he fuels the fire of those who say this is about globalism and doing away with our sovereignty. And this amnesty program of his doesn't help either.

79 posted on 01/27/2004 4:39:49 PM PST by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: ClintonBeGone
Well, other than giving you a whack up side the head to shake your brains loose from being solidly anchored into the Party line, I have no idea what to do. I never was inclined to go around smacking total strangers, good way to get shot, to get then to believe the obvious, or what appears as the obvious to me.

I didn't really have to do much thinking to see where it would be impossible for that many foreigners to assimilate, even if they wanted to, into our culture. America would be making such drastic changes so rapidly that none of us would be able to keep pace with it.

Is that what you want for America?

Look at Iraq and the changes that happened there in six months since we changed their government to a democracy or as close as we could get it. Those folks are seeing a new way of life they never expected. Well, ours will change almost as fast and for some, it will be totally unexpected also. I guess you'll be able to raise your hand if a poll comes out asking if you never expected such large changes with President Bush's wonderful plan. BUT, you won't be able to say you weren't forewarned.

How about telling me why these changes will not take place. Show that you are a thinker and not braindead.

80 posted on 01/27/2004 4:40:27 PM PST by B4Ranch ( Dear Mr. President, Sir, Are you listening to the voters?)
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