Huckabee signs Sen. Sessions' Immigration Pledge

CBSNEWS ^ | February 2, 2008 | Joy Lin

[Tennessee Nana]

TUSCALOOSA, ALA. -- Mike Huckabee has changed his mind and will sign an Alabama senator’s immigration pledge for presidential candidates - an effort to defeat the McCain-Kennedy proposal in the U.S. Senate.

In Birmingham last week, Huckabee said he was almost ready to sign the pledge put forth by Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., but was on the fence regarding one of its aspects. "Which one?" a reporter asked.

Huckabee said it had to do with the 13th point of the 15-point pledge, one to “eliminate the visa lottery program and change current preference categories that guarantee automatic entry for aging parents and extended family members and replace it with a system that fairly and objectively evaluates at least 50% of applicants based on characteristics such as education, skills, English ability, and age.”

Huckabee said he wasn't sure if the ratio for immigrants with advanced degrees was "arbitrary" or flexible enough for changing needs.

"Everything else about it is...absolutely fantastic," Huckabee said. "That's the one piece we haven't been able to completely work on. Hopefully we can get with Senator Sessions to get that verified."

Later at a rally in Tuscaloosa, Huckabee announced he would sign Sessions' pledge. Asked about the decision during the media avail that followed, he said, "Point 13 dealt with ratios of people in engineering-- we looked at that and decided it really is not a big issue and certainly not something that ought to keep us from signing it. It's very consistent with our 9-point immigration plan so I thought, what better time to do it than when I'm in Alabama."

Regarding the seemingly quick manner in which he decided to sign the pledge, he said, "We've been looking at it for about a week…I looked at it last night and today and decided when we got here that this would be a great time to sign the pledge."

[Tennessee Nana]

Huck was for all of the pledge but one item that he wanted clarification on

Romney might act like he is happy to sign

Might even cry with joy

But that’s because he hasnt been nominated yet

He still needs the conservative vote

McCain dont know about him LOL

[Ron H.]

It was.

[Tennessee Nana]

Yes that’s what I thought

Duncan has been good for Huck

He will help straighten out some of the wrong spots...

[CindyDawg]

Tell me about it. I have family in the military too. Right now I’m hoping they all 3 candidates stay in and no one wins. Lately Huckabee seems to look like he might have a chance off pulling it off though. Wouldn’t that put the establishment on it’s head? lol It would be great if whoever wins taps Duncan Hunter for SOD.

[Tennessee Nana]

I’ll comment plenty if illegal alien loving RINO Romney signs the pledge...

I want to hear what he has to say...

[Tennessee Nana]

I dont want to think RINOs Romney, McCain and Huck are selling out the conservatives...

I guess I better hide the knives...

[cradle of freedom]

Sounds good good to me. Romney has the best immigration policy of the three.

[Sammie42]

My husband passed away this past year, he was 30 submariner, daughter is retired Navy, son is 10 yrs Army vet, I want was is best for them. Hunter never caught on, like I said, Huckabee will do okay in the Bible belt but I don’t think it’s enough to get him anyway and I really dislike someone staying in the race to be a spoiler. Having said that, I am not a big Huckabee fan, he’s great with one liners, but reminds me too much of Slick, but we do have to make a decision, not an easy one and I would like to see everyone pull together and not have all the anomisty that I have seen posted recently on FR

[Tennessee Nana]

McCain or Huckabee, you will find out what it is like to live in Massachusetts
_____________________________________

DUH

Its RINO Romney who is the Mass liberal

[Tennessee Nana]

Romney doesnt have an immigration policy

[stocksthatgoup]

Hagel - Sessions - McCain - Now the Huckster

[LowOiL]

This is a very very positive sign. Hunter and Sessions can make this man respectible in the illigal immigration scene.

[JDoutrider]

"With my luck, if I tried talking to a rock, a drooling RHINO would crawl out from under it, making Liberal mewling noises."

I don't care who you are... that's FUNNY! LOL!

[CindyDawg]

That would be wonderful. The fighting does seem to be decreasing though. Maybe the fighters are taking a break:'

Both have said they aren't going anywhere so I'm content to see how this plays out Tue. and go from there.

[CindyDawg]

Oh and I’m sorry to hear about your husband.

[cradle of freedom]

The illegal alien loving candidates are McCain and Huckabee. The only thing you can fault against Romney is that he hired a lawnscaping company that hired an illegal alien. Romney did not hire the illegal, a business that he contracted with as a homeowner and consumer hired the illegal. This could happen to anyone. If you hired a business to mow your lawn or paint your house, you do not know the immigration status of their employees. How about if you go to a store or a restaurant that hired illegals? Is it your fault if you patronize the store? Consumers cannot know the immigration status of employees, it is the employer who has to make the effort.

Huckabee in his snide, school yard diss of Romney tried to make an issue of this but it is sheer sophistry.

Huckabee is too clever by half.

[Sammie42]

That’s a good idea, I am in a SuperTuesday state and will vote but after I will vote R, just can’t let the D’s walk into the Whitehouse without a fight, couldn’t live with myself! LOL

[Sammie42]

thanks CindyDawg

[Liberty Valance]

Dang. I’d rather vote for Jeff Sessions instead of Huck.

[Scarchin]

Hucka-traitor