Dropping Oppo, Part 6
EmailOur report on the Mike Huckabee/Mitt Romney Iowa Holy War can be viewed HERE and read more about it HERE and HERE.
Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign has bought some domain names for websites to be used to attack her challenger, Sen. Barack Obama. Read more about that HERE.
In addition, Political Punch has obtained a new Romney mailer for New Hampshire voters, one focusing on illegal immigration and attacking three of his GOP rivals, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Read it HERE.
With well-produced graphics resembling a Passport, the mailer reads "ONLY ONE CANDIDATE HAS A DETAILED PLAN TO STAMP OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION," an iffy claim at best since most of the candidates in the GOP race have detailed plans, especially McCain who led the charge for the ill-fated immigration reform bill.
Romney, the mailer says, believes in "No amnesty or special pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants" as well as "No benefits" for undocumented workers, as evidenced by Romney’s having "Vetoed tuition breaks for and opposed plans to grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants."
By contrast, the mailer says that Huckabee "Supported a free pass" by backing "a special pathway to citizenship" and "Supported benefits" for illegal immigrants having, as governor, "supported using tax dollars to aid illegal immigrants, including scholarships and in-state tuition."
Romney’s reference to Huckabee supporting a pathway to citizenship is based on remarks Huckabee made in May 2006, not on the immigration reform proposal Huckabee introduced this month that requires a more arduous process for undocumented workers to become citizens. As governor, Huckabee did support in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants, as well as making them eligible for merit scholarships.
The mailer says that McCain as well "Supported a special pathway to citizenship" and supported benefits, the mailer charges, having "Voted to allow illegal immigrants to collect Social Security benefits."
The mailer quotes from a National Review op-ed describing McCain as "pro-amnesty," a charge with which the Arizonan disagrees and one not supported by any legislation or proposals McCain has introduced. The vote on Social Security benefits dealt with a vote in May 2006 on whether or not current law — which allows illegal immigrants who eventually become documented workers to receive credit for future Social Security benefits — should remain. Romney’s description of it seems a mischaracterization, since by the time these workers collect Social Security benefits they are no longer illegal immigrants.
Giuliani, the mailer charges, "Protected illegal immigrants" by supporting the establishment of a "zone of protection" for them, and "supported policies that gave in-state tuition to illegal immigrants."
As Mayor of New York in 1996, Giuliani did in fact push for a "zone of protection" for illegal immigrants in a speech, and while he inherited policies allowing undocumented immigrants tuition to New York City’s public colleges, he reaffirmed them as mayor.
The mailer is decorated with stamps reading "ACCESS GRANTED" and "BENEFITS PERMITTED" for Romney’s three rivals, while Romney’s "passport" is stamped with "AMNESTY DENIED" and "BENEFITS REFUSED."
What say you?
– jpt
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If this were really about security, the candidates would be talking about securing our shipping ports and airports.
What it really is is a bunch of old white dudes seeking votes from people who feel threatened by people (i) with brown skin who (ii) don’t speak English well or at all. That’s what this is, no more, no less.
Posted by: DKNY | December 20, 2007, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
This old dude sees the issue a bit differently than DKNY. As an employer I have unknowingly employed Mexicans with fake papers. When the w2’s go out the government would let us know who has valid SSN’s and who does not. In the small town (6000 population) where my business was located two factories used the local immigrant labor to staff the businesses. “Bachelor workers” was the term used as the men often lived together dormitory style.
Here is what I learned.
On payday, every week, laborers would wire transfer over $20,000 to Mexico just from my store. There were 3 wire transfer services in town and a really big one at Wal-Mart in the next town. That is a lot of money to take out of the economy of a small town.
During the winter many (most) would return to Mexico. Each year when returning many would move to new towns and different jobs. The bachelor labor force would still exist, but with different bachelors.
A small community of women would rotate through town during pregnancy and leave town after their babies were born. One that worked for me with a false SSN had six children that were US citizens, despite the fact that they lived and grew up in Mexico. She was a highly articulate, educated, hard working, pleasant, and loyal employee with a plan to qualify her children for Social Security through citizenship while benefiting from county services and free medical during her pregnancy. Intelligent to the point that she would manage her income, (most of which she would wire home to her mother for the kids in Mexico) so as to not disqualify her for free medical, food pantry, and county assistance. She developed an international plan to maximize benefit for herself and her children. As a landowner in Mexico she had no intention of ever moving to the USA.
My grandfather jumped ship in Philadelphia in 1910. He was illegal until WW1. Grandmother stayed past her visa. The difference is clear. They came to stay and contribute to the country they adopted. All of us old dudes welcome new citizens but are tired of having our pockets picked.
Posted by: flyover | December 20, 2007, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
DKNY wrote: “What it really is is a bunch of old white dudes seeking votes…” Both the Republicans and the Democrats are using the immigration issue to seek votes. The Republicans are trying to rally American citizens to put their foot down on the flood of illegal aliens coming into our country and its hemorrhaging of our economy. The Democrats on the other hand see the 20 million illegal aliens as a demographic of Democratic voters coming soon.
Flyover is correct! Hundreds of millions of dollars are being wired or mailed out of the country every year. But then there is the tens of billions of dollars that American taxpayers spend on education (including special English instruction), school lunch programs, medical care and the incarceration of illegal aliens who have committed crimes. This is money that could be used for raising teacher’s salaries, infrastructure, health care (both long term and emergency services) and many other services. NOTE: Instead of encouraging illegal aliens to fill agricultural jobs “that Americans won’t take,” all non-violent prisoners should be placed on work programs in the fields. They would receive wages and pay their income and payroll taxes. They would then have a small nest egg when they are released from prison.
Posted by: James Danley | December 20, 2007, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
Jake, do you the difference
between “criticize” and “attack”?
Pointing out the difference in one’s position on various issues with the others is not an “attack”. Mentioning someone’s Hussein middle name is not even qualified as “criticize”.
We know that you are all excited interviewing candidate’s staffs, but you don’t have to be dramatic.
Posted by: Ken | December 20, 2007, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm