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Bush team strikes back against Tancredo
Denver Post ^

Posted on 05/13/2002 1:41:59 PM PDT by KantianBurke

Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - WASHINGTON - Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., renewed his fight with President Bush over immigration laws Monday, mixing his pointed criticisms of the president's policies with lavish praise for Bush's leadership. It wasn't enough, however, to win over the president's aides. Tancredo said he got a second call in four days from the White House, this one complaining about the tone of a letter he sent the president offering "some political advice."

"I want to be polite. I really like the president. I really like him a lot," the Colorado lawmaker said shortly after he was berated by Ken Mehlman, White House director of political affairs.

The president's senior political adviser, Karl Rove, upbraided the two-term conservative Friday over statements he made attacking Bush in a Washington Times interview.

"The president is not on our side," Tancredo told the paper, complaining that Bush supports an "open door" border policy that could lead to another terrorist attack. "Then the blood of the people killed will be on this administration and this Congress."

Tancredo didn't dispute any of the quotations. He was just surprised, he said, that the White House took so much offense at them.

Tancredo, who heads the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus, long has been an outspoken critic of Bush's immigration policies. Earlier this year, he came within one vote of blocking House passage of a Bush-supported bill to allow individuals who are in the country illegally to become legal residents.

None of Tancredo's previous comments stirred the White House to action as much as his interview with the Times, a conservative newspaper with a strong following among the president's senior advisers. In a luncheon meeting with the paper's editors and reporters Thursday, Tancredo argued that the president's policies are a threat to national security.

Hoping he could open discussions between the president and members of his caucus over the issues, Tancredo on Monday sent the president a letter restating his "strong opposition" to open borders. It didn't mention the flap over his Times comments.

"I, like most Americans, am immensely thankful that our nation has the great fortune of having you at the helm of the ship of state to guide us through this difficult time in history," Tancredo wrote. "Your courage and determination have been inspirational, and I will do all I can to support your efforts to destroy every vestige of those organizations that pose a threat to our way of life."

That was neither a retreat nor an apology, Tancredo said. "What I hoped was we could have some sort of dialogue on this."

At the very least, Tancredo said, he hoped it would prompt Bush to issue a statement backing the reorganization of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. In the letter, Tancredo also noted that Rove had not met with him or the caucus over the issue despite repeated invitations.

Tancredo said he has never been involved in so public a dispute with someone he admires.

"This is not pleasant for me. If the issue didn't demand it, I wouldn't do it. This one happens to be enormously important."


TOPICS: Breaking News; Government
KEYWORDS: bush; immigration; tancredo
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To: KantianBurke
Tancredo is slime. I hope Rove and the good guys take him down. This gringo's political career must end.
61 posted on 05/13/2002 5:01:15 PM PDT by VA Advogado
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To: Physicist
(Next the Buchananites will say, "see, we told you that international trade was a bad thing.")

Bunch of knuckleheads, aren't they?

62 posted on 05/13/2002 5:02:57 PM PDT by VA Advogado
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To: davidosborne
bttt
63 posted on 05/13/2002 5:05:19 PM PDT by summer
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To: Brownie74
Thanks for the bump. For those interested, Tom Tancredo is scheduled to appear on Van Susteren's "On The Record" (Fox News Channel tonight at about 7:30 PM PDT). The show runs from 7-8 PM here. Also Ira Mehlman of FAIR will be on Hannity and Colmes tonight (Fox News Channel tonight at 6-7 PM PDT and then again at 11 PM PDT I think... not sure which segment). Mr. Mehlman will be talking about the families of the illegals who expired in the AZ desert last year suing us for $ millions. I'm pretty sure Tancredo will be talking about the Mexican military U.S. border incursion outrage that corrupt Mexico is poo-pooing. It's for sure he won't be talking about the need for another 245(i) extension or the need for more "guest workers" during the worst period of unemployment in the U.S. in nearly a decade.
64 posted on 05/13/2002 5:05:43 PM PDT by Tancredo Fan
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Comment #65 Removed by Moderator

To: KantianBurke
"The president is not on our side," Tancredo told the paper, complaining that Bush supports an "open door" border policy that could lead to another terrorist attack. "Then the blood of the people killed will be on this administration and this Congress."

Only problem with this statement is that the majority of the terrorists in the Sept 11 attack were not here illegally.

I don't know whether I agree 100% with Bush's policy, but Tancredo sounds rather hysterical and ignorant here.

66 posted on 05/13/2002 5:14:25 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: Jennikins
What's wrong with putting "America First"?

Why, nothing, nothing!

And what's wrong with "A living wage for every American?" Or, "Science in the Public Interest?" Or, "A woman's right to choose?" Or, "Every child a wanted child?" Or the "ethical treatment of animals?" Or, "Let a thousand flowers bloom?" I mean, you'd have to be a real cretin not to like flowers.

67 posted on 05/13/2002 5:18:42 PM PDT by Physicist
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To: Jim Scott
Yeah, a thread such as this one brings out all the
anti-Bush screamers. They lay there, waiting until they
find just the right article that makes Bush look bad,
then they strike. It just tickles them pink! Just look
at all of them on here today, you know, the usual sus-
pects. I have heard just the opposite.

Not long after Sept. 11, I read that they were
tightening the borders. They were going after terror-
ists. Then they got around to talking about the bor-
ders again. It seems to me that Bush said something
about letting families of immigrants complete their nat-
uralization process without going back to their country
of origin.

I may have it a little mixed up, but he said
he was going to let this all go on a case-by-case basis.
It wasn't supposed to involve a really large group of
people. But all of a sudden, people are flying off the
handle. And just because a 'conservative' congressman
picks a bone publicly with the president about it, these
people come out screaming that the Bush administration
is going against conservatives, that he is selling them
out. That because he is disagreeing with said conserv-
ative, he mustn't be a real conservative, he is really a
liberal, socialist, one-world-order, take your pick!

It doesn't seem to matter whether it is a Democrat or
or a Republican. When old Senator Robert Byrd recently
voted against an immigration bill, of some sort,
these same people were hanging all over him, drooling.
That makes me wonder what kind of people these people
are!

68 posted on 05/13/2002 5:22:09 PM PDT by dsutah
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To: Physicist
Sure, he's are using the "terrorism" card. If he weren’t no one would pay any attention. Without the terrorist card we wouldn't have the Pat-Act, a "blossoming" budget or any number of other well though out pieces of bush-wisdom. I'm not saying that it's OK but it is the only way to get noticed up there these days.

And to try and disassociate terrorism from illegal immigration is fully dishonest, or at the very least, horribly naive. Yah, the planes were hijacked by folks that were here legally (at least at some point) but what is going to happen once you cut off that route? They're going to come in over the border, be it North or South. And no amount of pilot arming and/or background checking is going to stop them. Of course, once we come to the conclusion that our borders are built like seives we will attemt to effect a real border scheme. But, by then it'll be too late.

EBUCK

69 posted on 05/13/2002 5:28:41 PM PDT by EBUCK
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To: Jennikins
Mr. Bush does not care to know what we think. How about that.

Thank God Bush knows how to stick to his convictions regardless of all the nit-picking.

We got the tax cut because he didn't care about the critics...Bush cut of international funding for abortions because he didn't care about the whining from the left, rejected Kyoto inspite of the shrill protests around the world, scrapped the ABM treaty....etc. etc.

70 posted on 05/13/2002 5:28:53 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: KantianBurke
Tancredo is a true patriot and a true American. It's unfortunate that there aren't more politicians like him in Congress. That's why it is very important that he gets re-elected to Congress from his Colorado district. But that shouldn't be too difficult to accomplish since he is very popular with the voters in his district.
71 posted on 05/13/2002 5:29:00 PM PDT by usadave
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To: KantianBurke
The USA needs more of the balance Tancredo brings to the table. The only tactical error is, he is praising Bush at the same time he is admonishing him. He should keep it separate.
72 posted on 05/13/2002 5:37:02 PM PDT by CWRWinger
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To: Physicist
Strict immigration control will keep everyone out except the terrorists.

WRONG!

Illegal immigrants are the sea in which the terrorists swim. With 13+ million illegals in this country, there is a vast underground economy for people without documentation. Where did some of the 9/11 hijackers get their phony drivers licenses? From hispanics who specialize in providing phony documents. Here in DC, people sell phony i.d. from street corners!

Get rid of the illegals and the terrorists will be easier to find.

73 posted on 05/13/2002 5:37:47 PM PDT by Arleigh
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To: EBUCK
And the third wave will pass every check you can reasonably put on an alien.

And the fourth wave will be American citizens.

You can put a wall around tnis country, and still not prevent terrorists from getting in.

Seriously, how is this qualitatively different from the guns/crime debate?

74 posted on 05/13/2002 5:39:00 PM PDT by Physicist
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To: Jennikins
What people? All of those who agree with you? What
about the rest of us? Did you take a poll? Well you
don't necessarily speak for all of us. I admire Mr.
Tancredo, but I don't have to agree with him on every-
thing. Is it stated anywhere that if you don't agree
with someone, you are not a true conservative, or Amer-
ican? You don't agree with Mr. Bush's team all the time
do you? Well it doesn't mean that you aren't a true
conservative or American, does it? I'll appreciate it
If you would respect mine and others opinion, and let
us be concerned with our positions, and you be concerned
with your own! Ok?
75 posted on 05/13/2002 5:45:12 PM PDT by dsutah
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To: Jorge
We got the tax cut because he didn't care about the critics...Bush cut of international funding for abortions because he didn't care about the whining from the left, rejected Kyoto inspite of the shrill protests around the world, scrapped the ABM treaty....etc. etc.

When someone has to dig up such inconsequential moves to praise Jorge Bush, you know they're desperate!

What about making a mockery of America's borders and heritage? What about signing an un-Constitutional law that guts the First Amendment? What about a sham education bill that only a Kennedy could love? What about expanding the size of the Federal government and turning loose Big Brother?

Bush is no conservative.

76 posted on 05/13/2002 5:45:41 PM PDT by Arleigh
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To: dsutah
Yeah, a thread such as this one brings out all the anti-Bush screamers. They lay there, waiting until they find just the right article that makes Bush look bad, then they strike. It just tickles them pink! Just look at all of them on here today, you know, the usual sus- pects. I have heard just the opposite.

Funny thing is...we never have to wait long. Every day there seems to be some more anti-conservative policy eminating from the white house. And we don't have to lay around much either. As a matter of fact I've been having trouble keeping up with all the un-conservative crap he's been pulling.

A more accurate statement may have been ..They run around, trying to hit upon all the threads that seem to paint Bush badly in the hopeless quest for some vindication for voting for him.

Not long after Sept. 11, I read that they were tightening the borders. They were going after terror- ists. Then they got around to talking about the bor- ders again. It seems to me that Bush said something about letting families of immigrants complete their nat- uralization process without going back to their country of origin.

Never tightened the borders. Only went after terrorists over-seas. The domestic terrorists seem pretty well unaffected by the "crack-down". He did say something about "families" but it was a smoke screen.

I may have it a little mixed up, but he said he was going to let this all go on a case-by-case basis. It wasn't supposed to involve a really large group of people. But all of a sudden, people are flying off the handle. And just because a 'conservative' congressman picks a bone publicly with the president about it, these people come out screaming that the Bush administration is going against conservatives, that he is selling them out. That because he is disagreeing with said conserv- ative, he mustn't be a real conservative, he is really a liberal, socialist, one-world-order, take your pick!

You were lied to. It was aimed at large numbers of people. Bush is going against conservatives. He's not a real conservative. He supports "amnesty", BIGGER GUBMENT, more fed intrusion into schools, more foriegn "aid", more corporate welfare ect. ect. the list goes on and on. Take your pick.

It doesn't seem to matter whether it is a Democrat or or a Republican. When old Senator Robert Byrd recently voted against an immigration bill, of some sort, these same people were hanging all over him, drooling. That makes me wonder what kind of people these people are!

That's because we don't base our praise or scorn on the simple equation R = Right. Bush has sold us out so many times recently that to even hint that he's a conservative brings instand scorn and howling. And rightly so IMO.

EBUCK

77 posted on 05/13/2002 5:46:50 PM PDT by EBUCK
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To: Texbob
"Bush team strikes back against Tancredo, but the Bush team never strikes back at Beady eyed Daschle, goes to show you Bush is a liberal and is openly anti conservative."

I support Tancredo and his remarks. Bush's immigration policies are an abomination.

I don't know that Bush is a liberal and that he is openly anti-conservative. I think, however, that he is deadset on implementing the new world order. Though he's not white trash like his predecessor, his policies and actions in many instances are just as destructive.

78 posted on 05/13/2002 5:48:51 PM PDT by Dixielander
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To: Physicist
It's like gun control. Strict immigration control will keep everyone out except the terrorists.

Let's see, the 2nd Ammendment protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms...

Looking...

Looking...

OK, I give up!

Which Ammendment protects the right of foreign nationals to enter and colonize our country illegally?




79 posted on 05/13/2002 5:48:51 PM PDT by Sabertooth
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To: EBUCK
You were lied to. It was aimed at large numbers of people. Bush is going against conservatives. He's not a real conservative. He supports "amnesty", BIGGER GUBMENT, more fed intrusion into schools, more foriegn "aid", more corporate welfare ect. ect. the list goes on and on. Take your pick.

AMEN!

80 posted on 05/13/2002 5:49:28 PM PDT by Arleigh
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