COME ON DOWN!!!
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.
COME ON DOWN!!!
He didn’t fight for entitlement reform, he didn’t fight for making the tax cuts permanent, he didn’t fight for frigging Scooter Libby, but THIS is what he chooses to fight for?
To say I am disappointed would be the understatement of all time.
“This is what happens when we put “electability” over “principle”: we still lose.”
Amen to that!
We keep fishin from the same ol pond, were gonna keep on catchin the same ol big mouth bass.
Aug 30, 2004
From The Hill: Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) plans to start a nasty floor fight at the Republican National Convention in New York this week unless the GOP convention platform includes elements of his immigration proposals. He calls the current platform "weak" and "Clintonesque."
The third-term former nonprofit-organization executive said he has already enlisted a groundswell of support from sympathetic delegates from border states such as California and Arizona…
Tancredo recalls vividly a conversation he had with President Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, two years ago. Tancredo had given an interview to The Washington Times regarding his hard-line stance on immigration that upset Rove.
"[Rove] called me the next morning," Tancredo recalled. "I was on my way to work. We had a spirited discussion. He told me never to darken the doorstep of the White House." To which the congressman replied, "'I don't remember a welcome mat ever being out, and second, it's not your house.'"
He added: "I am astounded that my position on an issue that commands somewhere near 75 percent support from the general public is perceived as being problematic for the party. Most Americans want secure borders. Most Americans want an end to illegal immigration. These have to be addressed — even when people call you names."
sw
People to President: STFU!
Fine show of “loyalty” from our turncoat Prez to his base and his party. Many GOP elected officials (including my conservative U.S. Senator) have become former elected officials because they remained loyal to GWB when he was wrong on things like Medicare D, No Child Left Behind, and runaway spending.
Do you ever hear GWB criticize Dems and libs the way he does those from his own party?
Thanks for nothing, Mr. President. You have proven yourself to be your father with a different accent.
Let’s be absolutely certain Mitt ROmney is not HIS (liberal, antiwar, permanent minority party Pubbie) father before we trust him with our votes in 2008.
You posted this on that other thread and it appears to be temporarily locked. My response is, I don’t know who decided to stay in Iraq. Probably GWB.
To: Kevmo
He honestly felt that he could bring democracy into the middle east
Here’s something I’ve been wondering for awhile: Who made the decision to stay in Iraq? We all know Rumsfeld and the military deliberately chose NOT to plan for an occupation, since their goal was to overthrow Saddam and get out. So was it Jorge who made that decision?
20 posted on 05/29/2007 4:53:53 PM PDT by gotribe ( I can find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution... - Grover Cleveland.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
My thoughts exactly. If only he would have fought this hard and bitterly for the past 4 year for the war.
I think I know why Carter hates Bush so much; at this rate, Bush is going to dethrone Carter's status as the worst modern President.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border . . . “
You have had SIX YEARS to “fix the problems.” You have only made them WORSE.
Workplace enforcement is nearly nonexistent. You haven’t enforced the law for six years, Mr. President. Why would we expect you to begin now?
Oh girl! I got a call from the RNC tonight...I told them, “don’t even go there...I live in Texas and I was a welfare worker for more than six years...”
She said, “thank you for your time....” and hung up...
How could I have misjudged him so much?!!!-
...He is completely ignoring his base!
This issue has given insight into this man's mind like no other could, and the view ain't pretty.
I no longer buy the "'cause he thinks its the right thing to do" argument.
I have a really good idea what 'comprehensive immigration reform" will mean for America - I know what it'll mean to the Democrats and for the welfare state.
But what I really wanna know is whats in it for W.
Hey, that’s a well-dressed welcoming committee!
Welcome back :)
Oh wow...
Disgusting that it’s come to this. Just disgusting. That’s as family friendly as I can keep my thoughts on this little speech.
After all the crap we’ve put up with backing this President, for him to turn around and accuse us of not wanting what’s best for America, because we want him to enforce THE FREAKING LAW is (deep breath, count to ten...) disgusting.
Why should we believe this man that won’t be honest with us? He and his cronies go behind our backs and make these deals. In fact, it’s getting like that everywhere. Our own council here in Houston does the same thing. They pass things without telling the public. Our banks lie to us than think we are stupid and laugh at us to our face. They tell us that they don’t give a rat’s ass if we could possibly have breast cancer which was done to me. Some bank, huh. I have had my fill of the losers that are trying to make losers out of the American people while robbing us blind.
No more.
B U M P
He says this to the very people who have to go out in the streets and mop up the mess the illegals are making every day. These are the people in our society that know the real truth. They're living it.
I dunno, were there many who might have been lost in the Giuliani get-yourself-banned-athon?
Even the President’s most strident defenders are having a hard time with this one... And may even be embarrassed. If so, they should stop worrying about saving face and start worrying about how we can stop this man from destroying our country.
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.