Posted on 08/16/2005 9:14:07 PM PDT by nj26
Citing a surge of smuggling and violence along the border, the governors of Arizona and New Mexico have issued state of emergency declarations in recent days, faulting the American and Mexican authorities and freeing up federal and state money to strengthen local law enforcement efforts.
"Both federal governments let us down - there doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency," Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, a Democrat seeking re-election next year, said in a telephone interview Tuesday, a day after declaring a state of emergency in four border counties. Ms. Napolitano said that "ranchers are at their wits' end" with smuggled immigrants who damage their property and livestock.
Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a Democrat who is also seeking re-election and who may make a bid for the White House in 2008, issued an emergency declaration on Friday, after touring this turbulent border region where a police chief reported being shot at last week.
"This is an act of desperation," Mr. Richardson said in a separate phone interview, adding that border problems had gone beyond illegal immigration to violent crime. He said the action would provide resources "until Congress and the feds deal with this issue," but added, "it is not a political move - I never mentioned the Bush administration."
The actions by the two states followed a series of violent episodes, including the killing of a New Mexico woman who was shot in the head by a Mexican police officer outside Ciudad Juárez on July 30 and the crash of a Hummer, which was trying to outrun Border Patrol agents, that killed four illegal immigrants in March. Chief Clare May of the three-member police department in Columbus, N.M., said that on Aug. 9, two bullets whizzed over his head while he was checking out abandoned cars.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I've also noticed that the NYT has taken a sudden interest in highlighting the problems associated with an unsecure border and illegal immigration. As I said, those talking points are getting wide distribution.
By 2008, the Democratic party will be running to the right of the GOP on this issue unless our leaders change course.
Unfortunately, this issue is going to play like a massive sledgehammer in those states. This issue is right at the top of the "most important issues" list for most voters - and for many, the right position on this single issue is enough to buy a vote.
If the Republicans don't get it right on immigration, they will get pounded with this sledgehammer - and they deserve it.
Citing 'Violence"?
Oh.
The NYT.
Brother Janet is just throwing money around. She has stood up for the illegals and our new US language at every opportunity. The NY Times and all the warped communist dailies in this state all gave her front page space right on cue.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
I don't know how effective it will be for the Dems. I heard Hannity interview Richardson earlier. It was excruciatingly unconvincing.
If our party doesn't do something about illegal immigration and border security, then they will garner more negative attention from the press.
If you think this report is bad, wait until 2008. The MSM will have every red-state soccer mom convinced that MS-13 is waiting to attack her minivan with a machete, and George Bush is to blame.
It's not fair, in a sense, but our leaders are handing the opportunity to the Democrats.
If CA and TX join, you will be able to hear the Fox howling at the moon in NYC.
"I thought liberals loved illegal immigrants."
Hillary, Richardson, and the rest of the Clintonista Democrats don't love anybody but themselves. And they worship at the altar of the public opinon poll.
Yup, and its a win win issue for them. They've stolen our issue right out from under Bush's nose because of his recalcitrance on this issue. Being a second termer, he probably thinks he has nothing to lose. But if someone does not get to GWB and slap some sense into him he is going to screw it up for the next 4 years.
Hillary can win on this issue alone.
ROFLMAO... I smell a Rovian trap...
The President waits for the Democrats to come down in favor of border control, then he has all the Republicans go ahead and push something through, taking away their thunder, while ensuring they can't flip flop and oppose him after spouting border control rhetoric.
Too funny if true.
It's more likely that they're able to read the polls.
Too bad the GOP isn't.
"I smell a Rovian trap..."
I don't think so. I sense that George W Bush has a real blind spot on this issue.
Possibly... but I have to say that people have misunderestimated him before, which means I'm not going to be overly surprised either way.
Hillary's voting record is a disaster on illegal immigration.
Where do people get the idea that she is tough on illegal immigration. Because she says a few words. Don't people know about her triangulation bs.
Hillary voted for amnesty for illegals in the ag bill how can she use this issue?
Hillary voted against more border agents and against more detainee beds?
Hillary is for u.s taxpayer money paying for illegals to go to college. Hillary is for affirmative action for illegals.
Hillary is a social feminist liberal where people get the idea that hillary is tough on illegals is besides me. She has a voting record that is pro illegals, pro open borders.
She railed against the real id act saying it isn't the fault of the illegals that are in this country. She goes to groups like laraza kissing up to them saying she will get taxpayers to pay for illegals to go to college and in state tuition for illegals.
The President waits for the Democrats to come down in favor of border control, then he has all the Republicans go ahead and push something through, taking away their thunder...
Me thinks your olfactory system has been fooled by wishful thinking.
The President waits for the Democrats to come down in favor of border control, then he has all the Republicans go ahead and push something through, taking away their thunder, while ensuring they can't flip flop and oppose him after spouting border control rhetoric.
Go back to your Bush shrine.
The President waits for the Democrats to come down in favor of border control, then he has all the Republicans go ahead and push something through, taking away their thunder...
Me thinks your olfactory system has been fooled by wishful thinking.
At worst Hillary's record on illegal immigration is no better than George W Bush's, and it's probably to the right of his record.
I have yet to hear George W Bush say a single word to criticize illegal immigration.
Oops. Double Post. First time it did not show up, just a blank post. Sorry!
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