Byrd to delay Senate vote

Washington Times ^ | Tuesday, March 19, 2002 | By Stephen Dinan

[JohnHuang2]

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, West Virginia Democrat, yesterday said he will delay passage of border-security legislation because it now contains a provision of amnesty for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants.

"It is lunacy

[nicepaco]

Senator Byrd is gonna hafta get something before this legislation goes forward. I'll bet he honestly thinks amnesty is a bad idea but will be convinced to change his mind.

[Texasforever]

Might as well - apparently I'm just a pawn in Bush's vote buying schemes.

You said it not me. When people are cheering on Robert C. Byrd for anything it says a lot about them. I have heard all the sanctimonious talk about their disdain for corrupt politicians, i.e. Bush, but yet when they find the KING of corruption in their corner, on one issue, he is a great American. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

[over3Owithabrain]

What I'm "missing" is how you think this adds up. Like it or not, Bush has peeved and alienated a significant portion of his base. I suppose you dismiss that by saying those people have nowhere else to go and are a little crazy anyway, but isn't it possible whatever Hispanic votes he may pick up by this alleged maneuver (assuming they'll go to Bush over this, has pandering ever helped get them or the black vote before?) will be offset by votes he'll lose?

[RodgerD]

Bump.

This "Grand Scheme" business is the pure wishful thinking. Jorge & co. really want an amnesty - and not just the mini-amnesty that's 245i. They want it for millions of illegals. The Washington Times noted today that when GOP House members asked for White House assurances that 245i would be the final amnesty...the Bushies said, No, it would not be the last.

[Texasforever]

This "Grand Scheme" business is the pure wishful thinking. Jorge & co. really want an amnesty - and not just the mini-amnesty that's 245i. They want it for millions of illegals. The Washington Times noted today that when GOP House members asked for White House assurances that 245i would be the final amnesty...the Bushies said, No, it would not be the last.

Link please.

[over3Owithabrain]

Every time you respond to me I feel as if you're referencing someone else. Did I cheer Byrd? No. Bush has "cheered on" Ted Kennedy, loudly and proudly in a national speech, what does that make him?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think it might work everywhere other than California.

Things are more complicated out here, some Hispanics tie Bush to the big Power companies like Enron and think he was in cahoots with them for the Power crisis!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Ping!

[Consort]

The rationalle(?).

[Consort]

Make that "rationale".

[RickyJ]

That is all that matters to the hispanic electorate in THIS country.

Do you even know any legal Hispanic voters in this country?

According to all polls they are overwhelmingly against this amnesty deal as the rest of the country is.

I do not consider Robert Byrd a "good guy", he's just a politician smart enough to see the benefits of killing a bill that majority of the country is overwhelmingly against. IMO Bush had no idea that this would happen and now he will look like a fool in 2004 for supporting an amnesty deal during a war on terror.

[Texasforever]

I found it. Now what newspaper report from what newspaper. It would seem to me that someone around here would have found it don't you think? It is just like the friend of a friend's uncle's cousin knows a guy that is an insider at the Whitehouse... well you get my drift.

In private meetings with the House Republican leadership, some of whom were wary about pushing 245(i) through in this subterranean manner, the president was asked to assure them that this would, at least, be the last amnesty. (The first, for 3 million illegals in 1986, was supposed to be the last, but led to the situation where we now face another.) According to the newspaper reports here, the president said no.

[over3Owithabrain]

it will be the DEMS who get the blame

Disagree. Remember, most politics is local, and most Dems can honestly tell their constituents they supported amnesty. Elections in Hispanic voting areas aren't going to swing on what Robert Byrd said or did. That's why both Repubs and Dems in Hispanic areas voted in favor of amnesty, so they all can cover their butts. So the only remaining effect this can have is what has already occurred, that is Bush alienating some of his base. I don't think that's as minor or easily dismissed as you do. We'll see...

[Texasforever]

If he actually KILLS it, I will be soliciting petition signatures and donations to build the ROBERT BYRD MEMORIAL on the National Mall!

I'll bet you are one of those that really really believe in "principle".

[cartoonistx]

Because what you and he want is slightly based on a racist emotional reaction.

[swheats]

I thought so too. Bush has been saying in every speech he's given that the will of the people is not for blanket amnesty, and that he would not approve of such a bill. He's definately in a win-win situation here. I'd say the man has a certain ability to see several moves ahead of the game.

After the INS fiasco with the visas the last thing America needs is to grant citizenship wholesale without knowing who's for us or against us.

Godspeed Mr. President.