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Arizona GOP hits Napolitano on immigration issues
The Business Journal ^ | Mike Sunnucks

Posted on 05/11/2005 4:29:32 PM PDT by hsmomx3

Gov. Janet Napolitano defended her immigration record Wednesday amid criticism of several recent vetoes and increasing expectations the GOP will paint her as weak on border issues in next year's election.

Last year, Napolitano opposed Proposition 200, which denies welfare benefits to illegals and was approved by voters. She also favors allowing illegal immigrants to receive state driver's licenses.

This year the Democrat has vetoed several conservative immigration-related bills this year including measures:

* Requiring federal, state or tribal identification to be presented in order to receive government services. * Tightening up identification requirements for prospective voters. * Making English the official state language. * Contracting for a private prison to be built in Mexico that would hold illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

Republicans in the Legislature are readying bills for the governor that allow local police to enforce federal immigration laws, that prohibit local governments from funding day labor centers that help illegals, and that extend Prop. 200 provisions to include child care subsidies, adult education classes and some other government services.

Republicans hope the vetoes and Napolitano's stance on Prop. 200 will hurt her at the polls next year. Conservatives are also looking to put more anti-illegal immigration measures on the 2006 ballot. That, along with a gay marriage ban, could mobilize Republican voters.

Camilla Strongin, a Republican consultant, said immigration will be the top issue in the 2006 elections and the GOP will look to paint Napolitano as weak on immigration issues.

Napolitano defended her immigration record Wednesday, saying the bills she vetoed were flawed and will not help address the surge illegal immigration into the state.

"These bills will have not one whit of effect on illegal immigration in this state," the governor said.

Napolitano said the key to securing the border and dealing with immigration problems is for more federal resources on the U.S. side and better border enforcement and economic development in Mexico.

When asked if Arizona should play a roll in boosting job growth and economic development in Mexico, Napolitano said she would not use state tax dollars for such efforts.

The Democratic incumbent enjoys strong approval ratings but the GOP has a registration advantage in the state and hopes to recruit a top tier challenger such as Marilyn Quayle or U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona for a 2006 run.

Mrs. Quayle, the wife of former vice president Dan Quayle, declined comment on possible 2006 run.

Public relations consultant Jason Rose says Republicans can make inroads against Napolitano on immigration but that she is still in a strong political position.

"She's incredibly weak on immigration issues but it would still take an incredible performance by the Republican nominee to defeat her," said Rose. "Piestewa Peak, all day kindergarten, immigration and vouchers aren't going to cut it as a recipe for Republican success."

Stan Barnes, a former GOP state lawmaker and top business lobbyist, said Napolitano is "vulnerable" on the immigration front, especially considering Republican passage and her pending approval of business tax cuts.

Business groups backed the GOP's Matt Salmon in the 2002 governor's race, but Napolitano has tried to forge warm relations with top business and technology executives.

Arizona Chamber of Commerce vice president Farrell Quinlan said that the business community does not have a problem with Napolitano on immigration matters. The state chamber and other business groups also opposed Prop. 200 and, like Napolitano and some Republican congressional members, support a federal guest worker program.

Still, Quinlan expects immigration to the top issue in next year's elections.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Mexico; Politics/Elections; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: 2006; 2006election; aliens; arizona; az; borderpatrol; borderpolice; borders; ca; cars; cedillo; driverslicense; drugs; drugwar; english; englishfirst; goquayle; humansmuggling; illegals; immigrantlist; immigration; impoundcars; language; marilynquayle; ms13; napolitano; napolitanogone; not1moredime; prop200; quayle; smuggling; tucson; tx; veto
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To: hsmomx3

"Camilla Strongin, a Republican consultant, said immigration will be the top issue in the 2006 elections and the GOP will look to paint Napolitano as weak on immigration issues."

I doubt that border security will be the top issue in the Republican platform after the open borders elitists inside the Beltway get their hands on it. We need a grass-roots candidate to push this issue. No Rove-backed candidate is going to secure the border.


21 posted on 05/11/2005 6:20:40 PM PDT by nj26
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To: nj26

Would you be talking about McInsane? He is not running for governor, and he is loved by the liberals. They already are voting for El Napo.


22 posted on 05/11/2005 6:44:56 PM PDT by DLfromthedesert (Texas Cowboy...you da man!!)
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To: Lester Moore

There was a news story this week that said 59% of new voter registration in Pima were rejected for lac of proof of cititzenship. If the voter measures in Prop 200 survice until the next election it may be impossible for the rats to win but the lawsuits will make Florida 2000 look like small claims court.


23 posted on 05/11/2005 6:49:06 PM PDT by azcap
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To: HiJinx
bttt

Gee do you think that might leave a nasty political bruise on Janet come re-election time?

I hope so.


24 posted on 05/11/2005 7:07:33 PM PDT by AZHua87 (Insurgent BloggerVet!)
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To: hsmomx3



Marilyn Quayle is an untapped crown jewel of the Republican conservative, she is strong, brilliant, carismatic, and a true believer.


25 posted on 05/11/2005 7:22:40 PM PDT by Brofholdonow
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To: righttackle44

Thank you for the link. I read the story, and sadly, it's similar to many stories we read here in California. Thugs steal cars, and they have no regard for human life in their desperation to get away with their crime. They are despicable. I sincerely hope they catch the murderers, and I'll keep up with the story. Again, my sincere sympathy to the officer's family.


26 posted on 05/12/2005 12:12:08 AM PDT by janetgreen (Minuteman Project = American Patriotism)
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To: HiJinx

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Be Ever Vigilant!

Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!


27 posted on 05/12/2005 8:15:14 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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