Posted on 09/08/2006 7:49:02 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
(CNSNews.com) - Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) warned Republicans to either accept the Senate's version of immigration reform - which includes amnesty for illegal aliens - or risk losing Congress to Democrats in the upcoming mid-term elections.
"If we can't get this Congress to pass fair immigration before now, we'll elect a new Congress in November that will pass it," said Kennedy to a cheering crowd at a rally supporting amnesty for illegal aliens on the National Mall. "We will pass an immigration bill in Congress that is worthy of America."
Thousands of people gathered to hear Kennedy speak in support of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act (S. 2611), one of two bills currently under consideration by Congress. The turnout was significantly less than the hundreds of thousands predicted by rally organizers.
Kennedy also used the opportunity to rally for something closer to home when he spotted some of his constituents from Massachusetts.
"I see some Massachusetts people here," Kennedy said. "They are gonna get me re-elected."
The crowd laughed in response.
Switching back to immigration, Kennedy criticized the Republican-led Congress for not passing the Senate bill.
"Congress does not have the right or the luxury to let four weeks go by refusing to deal with it," Kennedy said.
The House of Representatives has passed differing legislation (H.R. 4473), which would implement deportation and other enforcement activities targeting illegal aliens and the businesses that employ them, before any type of "guest worker" program could begin.
Amelia of Gettysburg, Pa., agrees with the idea of border security in principle, but supports amnesty for illegal aliens who are already in the United States.
"[I want] legalization for the people that is [sic] already here and they have a job, because if they have a job in this place, they are needed," she said. "We came here to scream as loud as we can, because we need to be heard. We need them [Congress] to understand."
Tyler, a schoolteacher who was part of small counter-protest on the fringe of the crowd, opposes amnesty for illegal aliens.
"It's unfair for people who are trying to come here legally for these criminals to cut in line ahead of them," he said. "These protesters are effectively demanding that the law be bent to allow people who violated the law to cut in front of immigrants who are waiting to get here legally."
He believes that - by enforcing its immigration laws - America is only exercising its right to protect its borders and to improve its national security.
"[The protesters] want any restrictions on immigration to be completely removed, which is ridiculous, because we need the lawful ability to regulate who comes into this country," Tyler said. "Every other nation has the right to do that."
BUMP
Every vote I cast in the primary were for the candidate with the strongest border security stance. Teddy's just hittin the sauce again.
The fat f-ing pig must have been drunker than usual when he came up with this load of BULLSH!T.
Proof positive that if they do accept it, they will lose their majority.
Ummm. I thought this wasn't an amnesty!
They didn't LIE to us, did they? Over and over and over again? Surely not the democrats!
Not after the "Path to 9/11" debacle it won't, Teddy.
Allright Dane, it looks like Teddy agrees with you at least!
What in the @@## is wrong with the people of Massachusetts. (Of course, I don't have much room to talk, as I live in the People's Republic of Illinois).
somebody should have warned MaryJo
Doogle
This confirms what I've been saying for some time now - that if the pubbies cave, and pass the Senate version, they will lose the House in November. Kennedy knows this and is trying to twist it around backwards. He's a liar of the first order.
Teddy is blowing hot air. The Democrats will not be putting any money in campaign advertising which promotes amnesty in competitive races. On the other hand,there will be Republicans spending money on no amnesty campaign advertising in competitive races.
Tell me about it.
Just one more reason to despise Ted Kennedy.
I thought the Swimmer had possibly passed away recently. I hadn't heard any of his whale songs lately.
Why does this man hate this country so much? He knows that amnesty will destroy it.
If Kennedy really thought voting for this bill would help elect Republicans, he would kill the bill immediately. He knows voting for this bill would lose Republican votes which is exactly why he wants the Repubs to vote for this Amnesty plan.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.