U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) addresses the crowd at a rally for immigrant rights in front of the Capitol Building on the Washington Mall September 7, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
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."
Statistically, what is the projected lifespan for a bloated foul mouthed drunken oldsmobile drivin muskrat that must wipe the spittle from his chin with the same sleeve he uses to remove the chili vomit stains from his shoes because his other hand is in our pockets?
In what year will his corpse mercifully wash ashore at Hyannis port? The old fool is wearing on me a bit. Why don't you go play with one of your relatives old man? Maybe take a drive.
What an incredibly stupid thing to say. Ya reckon Teddy (aka "The Swimmer") realizes a "new Congress" would exclude him?
Moron!
U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) addresses the crowd at a rally for immigrant rights in front of the Capitol Building on the Washington Mall September 7, 2006. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)
Ted also promised a year's supply of free drinks for all illegal aliens.
Mary Jo Kopechne was unavailable for comment.
Guy A wants 10,000 border guards and guy B wants 11,000? I vote for guy B.
Guy X backs Hellfire-armed Predators, but guy Z backs nuking Mexico City? Guy Z gets my vote.
I AM PISSED...!
It sounds like a GOP sound bite commercial to me, at least in the bulk of the GOP held districts, and maybe some senate races, where the GOP is in trouble.
And why do I say this? Simply for one reason...
A few months ago,the Massachusetts State Legislature... the MASSACHUSETTS Legislature...voted down a bill to give illegals "in-state" tuition at state colleges.
You're right. Every major poll tells us that the VAST MAJORITY of people support strict border control first and oppose amnesty - which is what the Senate bill is.
The full House is up for election every two years and they are more in touch with public opinion. Too many people see the economic and social disaster that out-of-control borders is bringing us daily -- not to mention the national security danger in this age of international terrorism.
Frankly Kennedy doesn't need any bill to get re-elected. Not in Taxachusetts anyway.
Continuing in the Clinton tradition of having foreigners decide what's best for American citizens. Pardon me while I retch.
Hey!!!! Now I have to clean my screen and keyboard darn you!
Amnesty is not the answer.
Start by passing HR4437 into law.
"Absolutely. Any Republican on Teddy's side deserves to lose his seat."
The President has already been elected. He can't run again.
Er, hint to Kennedy: Most Americans OPPOSE amnesty. Now, how are we gonna lose congress to Democrats if we do as the American people want us to do?
"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,"
Who is "we", Senator? You got a mouse in your pocket? You been seeing pink elephants again?
Amazing that Teddy has some believers who post on this forum. Who would have thunk it!
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