Posted on 05/29/2007 10:15:03 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
“The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place,” Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.
He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that “makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America.”
Bush spoke at the nation’s largest training center for law enforcement.
He chose the get-tough setting as conservative critics blast a Senate proposal as being soft on people who break the law. Hoping to blunt that message, Bush emphasized that any new options for immigrants and foreign workers would not start until tougher security is in place.
The presidential stop came during a congressional recess, with senators back home and facing pressure from the left and right on the immigration plan. Bush’s aim is to build momentum for the legislation, perhaps his best chance for a signature victory in his second term. The Senate expects to resume debate on it next week.
“A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don’t think the government can fix the problems,” Bush said.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don’t try to kill this bill before it gets moving,” Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bush repeatedly cast the matter as one of political courage.
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said. “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it.
“You can use it to frighten people,” Bush said. “Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all.”
The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provided they came forward, paid a fine and underwent criminal background checks. To apply for a green card, they would have to pay another fine, learn English, return to their home country and wait in line.
The plan also would create a guest worker program. It would allow foreign laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints, yet with no guarantee they can eventually gain citizenship.
Both the new visa plan and the temporary worker program are contingent on other steps coming first. Those include fencing and barriers along the Mexico border, the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and the completion of an identification system to verify employees’ legal status.
The legislation would also reshape future immigration decisions. A new point system would prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate.
Georgia’s senators both played leading roles in producing Bush’s deal with the Senate. Yet they have also said they may not support the final bill, depending upon how it is amended.
Bush chastised those who say the proposal offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. He called it empty political rhetoric.
I guess Bush is telling me (and others like me) that I’m doing the wrong thing for the country.
Thanks a lot.
After all the support we gave you.
*sigh*
Karl Rove should have resigned in disgrace after the Nov 2006 elections and this has his finger prints all over it.
Is it his way of getting back at the base by destroying it??????
Retiring senator Wayne Allard (R) of Colorado Possible retiring senators Joe Biden (D) of Delaware, Thad Cochran (R) of Mississippi, Larry Craig (R) of Idaho, Chuck Hagel (R) of Nebraska, Tim Johnson (D) of South Dakota, John Warner (R) of Virginia.
Democratic incumbent races Max Baucus of Montana, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Tom Harkin of Iowa, John Kerry of Massachusetts, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Carl Levin of Michigan, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia,
Republican incumbent races Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Susan Collins of Maine, John Cornyn of Texas, Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, Pete Domenici of New Mexico, Michael Enzi of Wyoming, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Pat Roberts of Kansas, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Ted Stevens of Alaska, John Sununu of New Hampshire.
I heard that too! It’s a crying shame.
Seems like Bush is determined to alienate the very portion of the electorate that still supports him.
If you can’t run them out in a primary, send them a letter telling them why you are giving them your vote, cc the Democrat opponent and vote for a third party conservative -and cc HIM or HER with the letter.
Nebraska are safely Republican
I don’t know about that. I think it is pretty red, but if they can find another Ben Nelson who is basically a Republican than they could get another Democratic seat for the Senate.
BTTT
It is a very sad day to realize the betrayal Bush wishes done to the American people.
Actually, he worse than his father except for David Souter.
This is happening as the “Law Of The Sea Treaty” is being quietly passed.
Well he stoled the election....just ask Gore, Rosie, or what’s her face.
All things considered I’d rather have him then Gore.
so where is the “dignity and respect” for the citizens???
UGH! the things I could say...
I AM NOT JOKING—
I am going to start wearing a pretzel on my lapel, in the same way people wear those useless red ribbons. (wink-wink)
I can’t wait for people to ask me what it stands for.
"Some people think anything less than capital punishment is amnesty"
- Michael Chertoff
Questioned about this comment, he made it clear it was not a misunderstanding:
"I understand that some people think it’s not tough enough. Maybe they want people thrown in jail for 10 years or they want people executed."
- Michael Chertoff
If the current AG steps down, Chertoff is his replacement. Maybe Harriet is free to run DHS, or they can slip Kerik through...there have got to be lots of other incompetent personal friends left to give top jobs to as well.
Well he stoled the election....just ask Gore, Rosie, or what’s her face.
All things considered I’d rather have him then Gore.
No offense Mr. President, but that is one thick brick ya got on top of yer neck.
Awesome.
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