Meg Whitman Alters Immigration Rhetoric
EmailABC News' Teddy Davis reports:
Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman (R) told a largely Latino audience in November that she supports "comprehensive immigration reform."
But now that she is under fire from her Republican rival on the issue of public benefits for the children of illegal immigrants, Whitman maintains that she only favors a temporary guest worker program, not a permanent earned legalization program for illegal immigrants.
"She supports a comprehensive solution that secures the border first and includes a temporary guest worker program," Whitman press secretary Sarah Pompei told ABC News following Monday's gubernatorial debate. "What she said in today's debate is consistent with what she said before."
Whitman and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner (R) were asked during Monday's debate if they favored federal legislation which would include a pathway to citizenship for the estimated three million illegal immigrants currently in California.
Whitman insisted at Monday's debate that "we can't talk about any other solutions" besides securing the border, holding employers accountable, and ending so-called "sanctuary cities," which offer certain protections to illegal immigrants.
"Let me be very clear: I am 100 percent against amnesty, no exceptions. The truth is: we have not secured the border in any shape, form, or manner," said Whitman. "My view is until we actually do secure the border and actually stop illegal immigration, we can't talk about any other solutions, and I am 100 percent against amnesty."
Whitman's answer stands in stark contrast to the more liberal position she articulated while unveiling her Latino coalition on Nov. 17, 2009.
At that lunchtime event in El Monte, Calif., Whitman delivered prepared remarks and then took questions from the audience. One of the attendees asked her if she supported giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Whitman said that she was opposed to the State of California issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. But she went on to note that she was in support of "comprehensive immigration reform," which usually refers to federal legislation that includes earned legalization for the 12 million illegals currently in the United States.
After that 2009 event Pompei, the Whitman press secretary who managed the media coverage, was e-mailed an ABC News story that described comprehensive immigration reform in those terms. She did not seek a correction.
Asked to explain the discrepancy in rhetoric between Monday's debate and the Latino event in November, Pompei maintained that there has been confusion about what Whitman means by "comprehensive immigration reform.
Pompei explained that when Whitman uses the term, she is only referring to a "temporary guest worker program," not a pathway to legalization.
Monday's debate was the first of two scheduled encounters between Whitman and Poizner before California's June 8 primary. The second debate is scheduled for May 2.
The winner of the Whitman-Poizner primary will square off against state Attorney General Jerry Brown, the lone Democratic candidate for governor of California. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is barred by term limits from running again.
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When any politician talks about “Immigration Reform”, they basically mean extending amnesty to any illegal immigrants already in this country, and I think that is just unacceptable.
Further, they mean they will do little or nothing, to stem the flow of illegals into this country, and I think that is also unacceptable.
So I oppose anyone who advocates “immigration reform”, in any way. they pander to the illegal population, and to the legals who encourage the illegals to come here.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | March 16, 2010, 10:17 am 10:17 am
we are screwed because:
Republicans like illegals (cheap labor)
Democrats like illegals (cause for “social justice”, big government spending, public school programs, and voters- either once they are legal, their children, or voting illegally)
Banks like illegals (can charge high fees/interest for wired money, break middle class and working class, etc)
Govts like illegals (takes “pressure” off corrupt, poor countries). Can be used for military wars (citizenship for serving).
Farmers/Ranchers like illegals (since most are run by corporatations now or a very large) since they are MIGRATORY and CHEAP
Prison industry like illegals because the demographic (18-30 males) is highly criminal (in all races/status) so more people for prisons
Lawyers like illegals. Again due to demographic (18-30males) so more risky/criminal behavior and more chance for lawsuits (abogado) and criminal cases.
Posted by: Ed | March 16, 2010, 11:56 am 11:56 am
Another uber-rich politician that talks out of both sides of their mouth. Depends on who they’re talking to.
Another reason I’m a former Republican, now Independent Conservative.
Richard
III
Posted by: richard | March 16, 2010, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
if were going to have free health services for illeagill children parent should have to pay least twenty five dollars there not a person in this country or state with children that cant come up with pr save when needed twenty five dollars this sould be mandatory a law with an anouncmeny to all illleagle resedent of ca TO SAVE TWENTY FIVE DO;LLARS TO HAVE WHEN NEEDED THIS WOULD HELP RELEIVE SOME TAX PAYERS BURDEN
Posted by: edward valdez | March 20, 2010, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
FIRST YOU MUST ASK YOUSELF WHERE ARE THESE IILEAGLE IMAGRANTS GETTING MONEY FROM? FROM EMPLOYERS WHO COLLECT INCOME TAXES OR DONT COLLECT TAX FRAUD SHOULD BE A CHARGE AGAINST THE EMPLOYERS WHO PRACTICE HIRING ILLGEALY ALLOWING EMPLOYERS TO THINK TWICE FOR SURE EVERYONE WANTS A BETTER LIFE HERE IN CA SYMPITHIZERS MUST REALIZE ITS NOT FAIR TO THE HONEST PEOPLE WAITING TO COME HERE LEAGLLY LET ILLEGILLS WORK TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GET BACK TO THERE HOME LAND
Posted by: edward valdez | March 20, 2010, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
Take the “stimulus” money and deport the illegals. A modern “Operation We*back” like from the 1950s. Since we’ve had illegals for over 50 years why not eliminate the problem instead of trying to figure a “solution?” If we let them stay here that only exacerbates the problems they present — and we’re bankrupt as it is! We cannot continue all the give-aways to illegals and support our own way of life. Oh, who am I kidding? Mexicans will be the majority within 40 years in the US. It will take them less time to totally trash it.
Posted by: gymlock | April 17, 2010, 3:19 am 3:19 am
WHAT A JOKE THIS COUNTRY IS!!!!
GO TO WORK EVERYDAY WORKING OUR BUTTS OFF ONLY TO HAVE IT STOLEN FROM US AND GIVEN TO THE ILLEGALS, Way TO go America, keep up the GREAT work…ha! ha! ha!! AND ABC news, another joke I hope there’s room for you in our unemployment lines…..carma, sweet carma!!
Posted by: mrs. gracia | April 27, 2010, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
Funny, racist???? Corruption, Greed, ABC news why don’t you report the truth, try using, fair justice instead of social justice, It shows like chocolate on your face!!!
Posted by: Mrs. Garcia | April 27, 2010, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
my idea of immigration reform is to stop it.
Posted by: mungo | May 11, 2010, 1:48 am 1:48 am
We need illegals. US industries need illegals. Why?
they are not taking our American jobs. What Caucasian or US Citizen wants to be a dishwasher, busboy or mowing lawns?
I don’t hear any Americans complain when they buy their groceries for cheaper prices.
And Mexicans are not the majority in California. It’s the Chinese.
Fact is, if amnesty is given to illegals, it would only be given to people with good reputations and not the criminals. Exstensive backgrounds are done and there is money to be made with fingerprinting, paperwork, passports, etc. not to mention more government jobs.
Next time you go to Walmart and pay the low price for your t-shirt or anything, check the label before you buy it. Would you rather pay $3.99 for a t-shirt made in China or $12.99 for the t-shirt made in USA?
Make them get a driver license,(they drive anyhow) and make them pay the same registration fees and insurance the rest of us pay so when they do get in an accident, they are held accountable. If all illegal immigrants were granted a license, we could make so much money for the state of California off one transaction.
Just pointing out some facts, that’s all.
They’re already here, make them pay. Tax the crap out of them just like the rest of us are getting taxed.
Posted by: US Citizen | May 13, 2010, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
US Citizen, I agree with what you say. Do all that border closing ramping up security, man power use our high tech equiptment to catch anyone. Then give the people here an opportunity to pay the taxes that every other person pays of they are not already paying them. People like Steve Poizner should not get voted in because he is just using illegal immigration as the “scapegoat” & is just using Illegal immigrants to get voted into office. It’s obvious that Meg is better qualified, it’s just he’s using Illegals to push himself into office. Arnold even said it himself that “illegals are NOT the reason for this recession YET Poizner keeps on using them as the reason.
Posted by: Ffabbess | May 17, 2010, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
One reason I am leaving CA is because of the illegal problem–now they have the attitude that they are entitled to everything! The border should have been secured 30 years ago, but it wasn’t, and for the same reason it isn’t today–politicians want their votes, the Catholic church needs more money paying members, big business wants cheap labor, and the tax paying citizens are forced to pay the price for it. Even if we are put out of work because of them, we still have to pay for them to take our jobs. Even if we can’t afford health insurance, we still have to pay so they get treatment for free. Even if our kids pay higher college tuitions, we have to pay it so their kids can go to school for free. It makes me so sick, I can’t even stand to live here anymore. I’m moving anywhere that doesn’t have a Mexican population.
Posted by: Sue | May 19, 2010, 9:55 am 9:55 am
i’m tired of hearing these white crybaby americans wine about immigrants taking jobs away. well if you went to college and earned your degree with all your gov benefits you are entitled to than this would not be a problem for you. think about how mexico is for a sec… if your born into poverty there you better just kiss your life goodbye because your not going to amount to anything. now ask yourself, would you let your child starve to death? would you get up and do something about your situtation? yes you would, and you know it, those of you who have children know you would do whatever it takes for your child. that is why my mother brought me here when i was 4, now i’m 19 and i have accomplished much more than the average american.
Posted by: jorge | May 20, 2010, 11:41 am 11:41 am
Sue, goodluck.
WE’RE EVERYWHERE.
Posted by: Yvonne | May 23, 2010, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
I have a white friend, he has been looking for a job for about 4 months now, he just “can’t find any jobs”. I got 4 job offers 1 week after I lost mine. I did not have any trouble finding a job at all, I practically begged this guy to come work with me and he said NO ” I don’t know dude, the hours, the schedule” Well, working from 2am to 12pm harvesting tomatoes is not easy. The fact is that if you are looking for a job you will always find it, and because you can’t find the ideal job for you you blame it on Illegal immigration. Get a college degree, go to school or just do something and it will be really hard not to find a job as a nurse or doctor or engineer or practically anything with a degree on it. I worked illegally for 14 years and never got taxes from the IRS from all those years (about $60,000) Do not blame your problems on anyone else but you. Securing the borders is a good idea because of the drugs and weapons and all that crap but I do no see honest, hard working immigrants as a problem. Those who are trash will get thrown out and those who obey the law will stay. WE WERE HERE IN THE BEGINNING AND WE WILL BE HERE IN THE END. EVERYWHERE. You will always find a crystal clear Chinese, Mexican or Spanish radio or tv station in all 48 states.
Posted by: Sergio | June 6, 2010, 4:30 am 4:30 am
Ah she’s not getting the Latino/a vote! Hahahahaha :)
Posted by: Nayeli Fonseca | June 9, 2010, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
Two words! Chelene Nightingale.
Posted by: Marilee Terrell | June 23, 2010, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
Immigrants aren’t the main problem.It is true that many Americans are spoiled/lazy and won’t do the physical labor jobs that immigrants do.The problem is the govt programs that immigrants take advantage of cost much more than these immigrants pay in taxes.Therefore states with huge poor immigrant populations are going bankrupt.We need much lower spending on education and healthcare or Democrats should be taxed to pay for it.
Posted by: jj | July 23, 2010, 3:19 am 3:19 am
Just be aware of the scheme of 3rd party Chelene Nightingale for governor 2010 AIP CA. This party is trying to destroy the republican party by spliting the vote. They have run a woman with no education, background or stability to be their candidate. She is a conspiracy tinged agitator. Documents online show a major problem with her following rules to run her own finances. She gives sound bites and when pressed for more information she dances around questions and says “I’ll email you” Please be aware and don’t get conned by this reprehensible person.
Posted by: Stan Ginsberg | July 27, 2010, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
Google “Chelene Nightingale minutemen” for the real lowdown on this person running for governor of ca!! appalling and sickening!
Posted by: Stan Ginsberg | August 9, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm