Ga. senators express caution on immigration reform deal

WALB.com ^ | 05/23/2007

[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.

[devane617]

Bernard, I think there is a “real” disconnect among the DC Beltway crowd and the rest of the country. Sounds like those guys are getting fed bad polling data from the electorate. Even the media does not get it. Illegal Immigration is a strange issue that is not always obvious as to what is going on in the background.

[MinuteGal]

Keep up the pressure, all you freeper Georgians. These guys know there'll be an initial outburst of anger at them, they also know it eventually dies down.

Keep an eye peeled for any appearances these senators or any congresspeeples make at Memorial Day picnics, barbeques, stump speeches, appearances at doggy diners, etc. over the weekend. Drop in for a few minutes if you can.

Consider it a freep-of-one and let us know about it. Freepers in other states should do the same if possible.

Don't be afraid to start some booing if the situation warrants. Think Lindsey Graham.

I'm available as a designated booer-starter if needed.

Leni

[Politicalmom]

The offices seem to be reluctant to give out information on appearances, but I dragged one out of them.

Chambliss will be in Augusta on Saturday night. Columbia County, Norwood Plaza, at 6:30.

[gubamyster]

ping

[MinuteGal]

Good work, Politicalmom.

Folks, those of you in other states........find out about these public appearances over the holiday week-end and post them here!

Comb your local newspapers or phone like PMom did.

Leni

[jpsb]

LOL, Yall in Georgia really know how to elect principled polictial leaders don't ya /NOT

At least McCain takes a stand and sticks with in. Too bad he is mostly wrong in his stands.

[Little Ray]

No, we couldn’t have had Cain, but it sure would have been nice...

[Bernard]

It's even scarier to think that Republicans would rely on polling to tell them how to vote or what to advocate.

In a representative form of government, there's a certain level of expectation based on political affiliation. So, even a moderate Republican should have positions more consistent with a conservative view than a Democrat would.

That said, I'm disappointed that these people don't seem to have an innate sense of fair play that tells them that widespread cheating and violation of law is not a good idea, and should not be rewarded with amnesty or whatever they are renaming it to excuse their bad behavior in supporting it.