Posted on 08/29/2015 10:40:16 PM PDT by Red Steel
Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, on Friday challenged GOP front-runner Donald Trump to a “mano a mano” debate on birthright citizenship.
Gilmore has criticized Trump’s plan to overturn the birthright citizenship provision of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It guarantees citizenship to babies born in the U.S., even if their parents are in the U.S. illegally.
“Donald Trump is wrong on this issue and on his views of the 14th Amendment,” Gilmore said in a statement. “I challenge Donald Trump to debate ‘mano a mano’ on this issue. His comments are irresponsible, offensive to Latinos and a threat to the U.S. Constitution.”
“Any time, any place,” Gilmore said. “I will debate Donald Trump on his wrong-headed view of the 14th Amendment and his determination to deny children born in America birthright citizenship.”
In the immigration plan on his website, Trump calls for ending birthright citizenship, saying: “This remains the biggest magnet for illegal immigration. By a 2:1 margin, voters say it’s the wrong policy.”
Gilmore said he supports strengthening border security, deporting “criminal illegal immigrants” and noted that he opposes a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants — “but I draw the line at taking away anyone’s citizenship and undermining the Constitution.”
“Donald Trump is pandering to the worst elements of our society in this issue and his strategy is not good for America or Americans,” Gilmore said. “I challenge him to debate me on this issue so I can show the nation his statements and views are not correct.”
Gilmore, Virginia’s governor from 1998 to 2002, is trying to qualify for the second Republican presidential debate, which CNN will telecast Sept. 16.
Former first lady Nancy Reagan has invited 16 of the 17 GOP presidential hopefuls to the debate, which will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Gilmore still has the opportunity to qualify for the debate.
In order to qualify, a candidate must achieve an average of at least 1 percent in three national polls released between July 16 and Sept. 10.
Idiot
The ‘mano a mano’ is a blatant ‘you’re a wimp if you don’t debate me’ attempt to get Trump to pay attention to him when, in fact, he should be ignored. Trump is direct/abrupt & confident enough to say “Gilmore? Who is that? He’s at zero in the polls, why should I pay any attention to him? Why should I waste my time on a debate with him - the people obviously agree with what I am saying - if they didn’t, maybe Gilmore wouldn’t be at zero .... he needs to pack it up and go home.”
I hope that’s what he does.
Yeah trump wants to debate a loser out of the gate
I would think the "worst elements of our society" would be rapists, child abusers, murders, etc. But I guess it's the majority of American's who simply want US citizenship protected.
They’re not pandering to illegals. They’re pandering to the people who want to hire cheap labor.
Exactly - some of these folks thinks mano a mano means man-to-man (only without that pesky physical factor). If they discover it means actual physical combat, they’ll wet themselves and go away.
Typical RINO, can only muster his energy to protect a Democrat position.
Where did this fag find that myth? The DNC platform?
Really? Gilmore wants to arm wrestle? (Does he know that “mano a mano” actually means “hand to hand”?)
Just like he didn’t respond to non-entities like Graham and Perry? Gilmore will be getting a tweet.
Maybe Mark Levin would moderate
Ha!
You get the Golden Quote Award. It’s not possible for anything more apt to exist.
Light in the loafers?
I’m not at all for Trump, but Gilmore challenging anyone to a debate is just plain pathetic.
I didn’t see the end of the recent Fox debate, but my husband said Gilmore stood alone in a corner while the rest of the candidates were talking to the media.
Gilmore, go back to the back of the line where you belong, and cherish your zero percent polling. I somehow doubt Trump’s going to let any of his legitimacy rub off on a non-entity pipsqueak like yourself.
Let him debate Mark Levin if he is so good. I doubt he could last five minutes with someone that knows what he is talking about.
Gilmore and Pataki have no place in this race and should drop out before Columbus Day.
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