Posted on 05/23/2007 5:57:21 PM PDT by devane617
Georgia's two Republican senators played a lead role in producing a bipartisan deal on immigration reform last week.
But after enduring angry calls and even boos from conservatives who say the plan amounts to amnesty, Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss are going out of their way to clarify that they might not support the measure in the end.
Chambliss said today that he and Isakson have never committed to vote for the bill. He said their position has been to wait for the amendment process to proceed before making a final decision.
Isakson, who drew compliments from Democratic and Republican colleagues over his role in patching together the compromise, also has emphasized that he is "reserving judgment."
The proposal is backed by the White House and could come up for a vote next month. It would toughen border security, give quick legal status to the estimated 12 million immigrants in the country unlawfully and create a new workplace verification system to bar undocumented workers from getting jobs.
Conservatives have criticized it as too lenient while liberals have called it unrealistically burdensome. The Bush administration and other supporters are working furiously to hold the compromise together.
Now look what they are doing. I guess all the calls from angry Georgia voters got their attention, so backpeddle is the order of the day.
What a couple of pink collared punks. GA needs to fire these jokers. From a cannon.
APf
ping!!!
My hope is that Chambliss and Isakson will feel the heat and vote against this. But facts is facts ... they helped craft it, they posed for propaganda photos with The Swimmer and they’ve lied, changed their story, misled and defended this legislation when people have called and emailed to express their disgust.
Now, I think, they’re trying to silence the ringing phones and sneak this thing through in June when the furor dies down.
There is nothing as effective as a chorus of angry boos to get a politician’s attention. Being nice never won anything but the Miss Congeniality title at the Miss America contest...an “also-ran” honor that no one remembers later.
My home state of Georgia can’t be proud of this.
BTW ... I forgot to add that I really appreciate all the people who voted for Isakson instead of Herman Cain in 2004. This is exactly the kind of leadership I warned about, exactly the kind of Country Club Republican move I expected from Johnny.
We could have had Herman Cain.
I’m not.
We aren’t proud of their initial actions, but I’m pretty pleased that they are now finally starting to express the “will of the people” so to speak.
Spineless Republican Kerry imitator:
“I wrote the amnesty bill before I voted against it.”
Exactly. If they make a tough call on an issue where the voters are split equally, or almost equally, then they are doing their job. However, when the will of the people is so overwhelming they must do as the people that elected them desire.
Don’t look at me. I PROUDLY voted for Cain.
I knew I liked you!
Coyote Republicans
“sneak this thing through”
That’s my take on it, too. I do call everyday, though, just in case it might make a difference.
Saxby got an earful from me about this.
And they were the hardcore Republicans at a convention, these folks normally yawn through those things.
Earth to Saxby, earth to Saxby...
Hmm, maybe he is the riddler and is trying to catch a clue?
Isakson and Saxby are pretty decent men.....
I seriously doubt they’ll vote for the final bill regardless of the rendition.
Thanks for the great post, and lets keep the pressure on.... If the Republican sell us out on this next month. They will no longer be a major party. I am this close to walking down to the RNC headquarters in Georgia, and telling them to take me off their books.
I heard T Lott is trying to sell us out now. Gee what a surprise.....
I think they know my voice now. You can hear the groan when I start speaking .LOL
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.