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.
Why can't they be recalled? Recalled and/or impeached is what we MUST do, if we are going to save the Republic. IF we let them get away with this, it's just a small step to the LOST Treaty and then on to gun control. Don't forget that Schummer is writing legislation to use the RICO Act against gun owners! The rotten bast*rds are so arrogant that we can't afford to trust them ever again!
I think we understand it thoroughly, senator. You’re fired !
“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. “
So just make a bill for agricultural workers.
It’s that simple. Feinstein had a bill like that.
But Chambliss is a flat out fraud and liar. I had hopes he was duped a bit, but those are gone with those very words,
spoken to a GOP convention no less,
full of guile.
He could have pushed just for an ag bill, but didn’t.
I hope the money was worth it Chambliss,
“Bush is just so nice”
He’s a devious creature.
“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.”
Chambliss lies and lies again.
Bush pushed this, it’s no mystery.
Bush said it was the first thing he wanted to do with the Democrats.
Pelosi, etc. NEVER mentioned immigration, in fact fear Bush’s America-busting plans for 2008 elections.
Chambliss thinks we are potted plants.
Guile, full of guile.
I’m beginning to think we CAN round up 12 million illegals and depart them. If we have the will....
The same old tired liberal retoric, but don’t worry we will remember you and all your un American traitors on both sides of the fence on election day! Lets clean up people.
Wrong. We're their "subjects".
“We either come up with a comprehensive immigration package or we have the status quo,” he said.
There is another option- BUILD THE WALL!!!!
The sad thing is that both our Senators are fairly conservative and good Senators. We could do a lot worse in Georgia. However, they just don’t get it on immigration.
So, it is said, was Lucretia Borgia.
Right on.
Good. He is way out of step with Georgia voters and I hope he losses the next primary. He is close to being a traitor with his stance.
Traitors. All of them. They aren't fit to hold office.
It's not the American patriots who are dense, Chambliss. Buy a clue.....with part of the money you got for selling us all out.
BTTT!
Tell you what, Mark, you can count on it getting categorized as amnesty.
Because amnesty is what it is -- pure and simple.
And American citizens will make sure the traitors in Washington pay a high price for their treason.
Here's a hint: the GOP can look for a 2008 election season that is far worse than the 2006 midterms.
How does that sound to you, Mark, hmmmm?
In how many ways would you like them "departed"? j/k
(but that'll work, too)
Dang! I REALLY used to like Saxby Chambliss. This is a great disappointment.
Boo’d? They should have been throwing bricks.
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