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

Skip to comments.

Boos, hisses greet defense of immigration reform bill (Saxby Chambliss booed)
Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | 05/19/07

Posted on 05/19/2007 11:40:04 AM PDT by Pokey78

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Delegates to the state Republican convention unleashed a rare chorus of boos and hisses at U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss on Saturday, as he spoke up for a bipartisan immigration reform package unveiled in Washington this week.

Hear it for yourself by clicking here.

Chambliss had just finished emphasizing his devotion to border security provisions contained in the measure, and brought up agriculture’s need for temporary, foreign workers.

“We’ve got to face the fact that we’ve got to create a new, truly temporary worker program” — the boos started here, but Chambliss plowed on — “for that segment of our economy that need temporary workers.

“If we don’t have a meaningful, workable program, we’ll simply be dependent on foreign imports for food products, the way we’re dependent on foreign imports for oil products,” Chambliss said, finishing his thought.

After the speech, Chambliss said he took the crowd’s reaction as a lack of popular understanding of the shape of the current immigration system.

Both Chambliss and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson spoke at a breakfast meeting, then before 1,200 or so delegates who gathered in the Gwinnett County Civic Center.

Isakson was first. He laid out the enforcement and border security aspects of the immigration bill, due to come up before the Senate this week.

His speech was short, and received polite applause. “We have the opportunity and a narrow window to change what has plagued our society for 21 years,” Isakson said.

The current bill does just that, he said, endorsing “citizenship the right way, the naturalized way, the speaking-English way.”

Chambliss, the state’s senior senator who is up for re-election next year, did most of the talking.

He explained that he and Isakson engaged with Democrats — after their attempts to change immigration last year were blocked, in a Republican-controlled Congress.

“Today is a different day in Washington. Republicans are not in control. The Democrats have decided that an immigration bill is coming to the floor.

“We could either sit on the sidelines and we could throw rocks, or we could become engaged and make what we knew was a bad bill, better,” Chambliss said.

But he promised that both he and Isakson were not inalterably committed. “You need to know, you did not elect two potted plants to the Senate,” Chambliss said.

But he also had a word for critics.

“We either come up with a comprehensive immigration package or we have the status quo,” he said.

“Please don’t believe what you hear or see on radio and TV,” Chambliss said. “We’re not asking you to trust us. But give us an opportunity to explain it to you.”

The issue of illegal immigration has the potential to create a serious split in the party, on a state and national level.

“If this gets categorized as amnesty, it could cause the party to split next year, particularly if the top of the ticket is viewed as too liberal,” said Mark Rountree, a political strategist who works with Republican candidates.

By liberal, he meant former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Rountree wants former Tennessee senator and actor Fred Thompson in the ’08 presidential race.

Immigration is yet another of those issues that where the fault line separates the business community from the ideological base of the party.

Supporters of the immigration bill backed by Chambliss and Isakson include Gary Black, a former candidate for state agriculture commissioner.

“We just can’t turn our heads anymore. We’ve got to find some resolution,” Black said.

He’s a member of a group formed only in the last few weeks, called Georgia Employers for Immigration Reform.


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: amnesty; chambliss; elitist; georgia; illegalimmigration; immigration; isakson; jackasses; johnny; pandering; rinos; saxby; saxbychambliss; shouldabeencain; votethemout
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-115 next last
To: Mr. Jeeves; citizen

See post #36


41 posted on 05/19/2007 12:45:46 PM PDT by AuntB (" It takes more than walking across the border to be an American." Duncan Hunter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

Temporary workers is a non-issue in CA. We pine for the days when the bracero program was in place. Shows how badly these issues are being communicated to the American public.


42 posted on 05/19/2007 12:48:35 PM PDT by GVnana (Former Alias: GVgirl)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78

The petition we’re drafting as a family will read in part:

Within your constitutional duties you took an oath to defend protect and uphold the laws of the United States of America and the American Constitution.

Your duty is to enforce the laws governing illegal entry into our country. We suggest: withholding all federal tax monies to cities, counties and states which do not comply with such standards; authorize deportation of the millions of people illegally entering our country, punitively tax the funds flowing from illegal workers into Mexico.

Do not tinker with current laws to make the illegal legally valid. There is only one two-prong solution to the illegal immigration problem and that is deportation and a fence to protect our borders.

If you cannot fulfill your protective duties as an elected government official, RESIGN NOW and allow someone else to represent the American people and fulfill those duties upon which you took an oath.

A voting family


43 posted on 05/19/2007 12:49:44 PM PDT by BlessedByLiberty (Respectfully submitted,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
After the speech, Chambliss said he took the crowd’s reaction as a lack of popular understanding of the shape of the current immigration system.

Yassah, massa. We don't know nuffun' about nuffin,

My ass.

44 posted on 05/19/2007 12:51:47 PM PDT by don-o (We are "THEY")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
“We have the opportunity and a narrow window to change what has plagued our society for 21 years,” Isakson said.

Yes. Irresponsible, "damn the people, we will do what we want and what is best for us", legislation passed by the imperial congress and approved by the imperial presidency, then administered by the same people who are in charge of delivering junk mail and bills to people all across this country.

This is the best illustration of a need for term limits in elected positions, government employment, and national media. More imperial congressmen should expect to be booed.

45 posted on 05/19/2007 12:56:37 PM PDT by Bernard (The price used to be 30 pieces of silver; now it's a spinach subsidy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Or, just enforce the law...


Write, call, email, fax... and DO NOT STOP. Build the tidal wave that we need to KILL THIS BILL!

Links and contact info:


CONTACT YOUR REPS NOW

MORE CONTACT INFO

Stop Amnesty Now!

46 posted on 05/19/2007 12:57:52 PM PDT by snowrip (Liberal? YOU ARE A SOCIALIST WITH NO RATIONAL ARGUMENT.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
We, the people are fed up with getting the shaft from the politicians.

They forget for whom they work.

47 posted on 05/19/2007 12:58:26 PM PDT by B Knotts (Anybody but Giuliani!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I worked for Sax, my group did many of the ads you saw on TV.

I am deeply disappointed by his position on this heinous bill.

Many of us who work media for the GOP are shaken at the betrayal of our core beliefs.

48 posted on 05/19/2007 1:02:17 PM PDT by montag813
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: montag813

See post 36


49 posted on 05/19/2007 1:03:46 PM PDT by AuntB (" It takes more than walking across the border to be an American." Duncan Hunter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: snowrip

I have called, emailed, and written all ther of my federal elected reps. I will call and email them again Monday.


50 posted on 05/19/2007 1:03:53 PM PDT by Hydroshock (Duncan Hunter For President, checkout gohunter08.com.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Hydroshock

Keep it up.

I also just ordered 500 bumper stickers, white with big, black letters that say “NO AMNESTY.”.


51 posted on 05/19/2007 1:05:50 PM PDT by snowrip (Liberal? YOU ARE A SOCIALIST WITH NO RATIONAL ARGUMENT.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: AuntB

Thank you. A very clear and needed exposition.

My definition of “honest farmers” doesn’t include large factory farms that hire illegals. That is, in fact, the very thing that puts large swathes of people who actually live in our country out of work, and also puts smaller family farmers out of work.

It’s the voters against the money people, which has always been the case in the Republican Party. I think the voters must find some way to make their will known.


52 posted on 05/19/2007 1:07:37 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: fortheDeclaration
“We either come up with a comprehensive immigration package or we have the status quo,” he said.

Then, by God, let's have the status quo. That's a better situation than institutionalizing a catastrophic idea. Let's at least retain the opportunity to do the right thing.

Do politicians hold American citizenship so cheaply that they will give it away for a mess of pottage?

I expect nothing from the Democrats. But hearing this from a "conservative" Republican is simply appalling.

53 posted on 05/19/2007 1:10:21 PM PDT by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: IGNORANCE ON PARADE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78; All
Tell him what you think.
54 posted on 05/19/2007 1:12:42 PM PDT by bmwcyle (Satan is working both sides of the street in World Socialism and World Courts.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: phillyfanatic
Exactly. I don’t know why these tone deaf Pubs including W, just cannot do two bills. First, enforce the borders, train 18,000, use tech, drones , trucks , TV et al. Even bring home some European based troops to man the borders while training commences. Then two years from now, do the visa, sanctions bit. Bush is just so nice , it galls me. Charity begins at home not in Mexico.

If the immigration laws were enforced, Bush would have no 'carrot' to dangle before the conservatives to get a 'comprehensive Bill' passed.

55 posted on 05/19/2007 1:14:41 PM PDT by fortheDeclaration (We must beat the Democrats or the country will be ruined! -Abe Lincoln)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
“We either come up with a comprehensive immigration package or we have the status quo,” he said.

And that status quo consists of corrupt, sinecured, career politicians who REFUSE TO ENFORCE THE EXISTING LAWS!!! We don't trust you any more!

56 posted on 05/19/2007 1:19:25 PM PDT by Prince Charles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cicero
My definition of “honest farmers” doesn’t include large factory farms that hire illegals. That is, in fact, the very thing that puts large swathes of people who actually live in our country out of work, and also puts smaller family farmers out of work.

Thank you Cicero, I agree completely! Love the name Cicero, too,it was my dads name. His mother named him after the original Cicero. Too bad our leaders aren't as wise.

57 posted on 05/19/2007 1:20:30 PM PDT by AuntB (" It takes more than walking across the border to be an American." Duncan Hunter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Chambliss and Isakson are toast! The voters WILL NOT FORGET, or FORGIVE!
58 posted on 05/19/2007 1:22:36 PM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (It's as simple as ABC - Anyone But Clinton! ( or Osama Obama))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AuntB

Thanks, AuntB. It’s a den of thieves, in my opinion.


59 posted on 05/19/2007 1:22:47 PM PDT by backhoe (-30-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: ExTexasRedhead

bttt


60 posted on 05/19/2007 1:24:39 PM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-115 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