Immigration Top Issue, but Not Decisive in South Carolina GOP Primary
***I’m starting to wonder if this is true in other primaries as well. Immigration is on the voters’ radar but they don’t know what to do about it. They can’t tell who’s who in the mudfight, and they’re tired of the mud.
Of course, Duncan Hunter is the strongest candidate on immigration, but the other mudfighters have tag-teamed against him so the voters/audience can’t see him.
Hunter’s criticism of Thompson and Romney over this issue is well aimed. We need someone in the white house who isn’t a johnny-come-lately on this issue.
Road to Des Moines Conversions on Immigration (Hunter Press release)
News Which Cannot Lose ^ | 10/25/07 | Duncan Hunter/staff
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1916889/posts
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On Poll Results and the End of Conservatism
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1951282/posts
This presidential election will likely be the voters last chance to put teeth into the uproar that defeated the amnesty bills during 2007. If amnesty advocates such as McCain or Huckabee (don’t believe his recent conversion) win the Republican nomination, I expect the voters will be ignored on this issue in the future. If it’s not a vote-deciding issue now, then the pols will conclude that it never will be.
Then they’ll again listen to the Chamber of Commerce and immigrant advocate groups rather than the majority of Americans who oppose amnesty and non-enforcement, but don’t vote the issue at the polls.
Thursday, Jun 30, 2005
By Wesley Brown
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - In a impassioned speech before hundreds of influential Hispanic civil rights leaders from across the nation, Gov. Mike Huckabee told a captive audience Wednesday that America is great because it has always opened it doors up to people seeking a better way of life.
"I would hope that no matter who we are, or where we are from, that America should always be a place that opens its arms, opens it heart, opens its spirit to people who come because they want the best for their families ...," Huckabee said as the largely Hispanic audience gave him a standing ovation.
Huckabee was the keynote speaker, along with Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman and CEO John Tyson, at a noon luncheon of the League of United Latin American Citizens, which is holding its 76th annual convention in Little Rock.
About 10,000 political, community and business leaders, along with exhibitors and speakers are in Little Rock attending the convention at the Statehouse Convention Center. The convention started Monday and runs through Saturday.
Although he never actually talked about the U.S. or Arkansas immigration policy, Huckabee made it very clear where he stood on the issue. In his opening remarks, he said the nation will need to address the concerns of the Hispanic community because of its growing influence and population base.
He told the LULAC delegates that their presence in the state's capital city was very important because Arkansas has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the nation. "Your gathering is so very significant for our state," Huckabee said. "We are delighted to have you."
Despite several light moments, Huckabee did not stray away from several controversial issues that made him a target of criticism during the recently ended 85th General Assembly. He said Arkansas needs to make the transition from a traditional Southern state to one that recognizes and cherishes diversity "in culture, in language and in population."
"This is an issue that is going to require extraordinary efforts on both sides of the border, particularly those coming from Mexico," Huckabee said of verifying the status of illegal aliens. "But I am confident that our government will recognize that we should accommodate people who wish to provide the best opportunities for their families (and) employers so that we can make sure our economy has the necessary work force."
During the legislation session, Huckabee criticized an immigration bill by Republican senators Jim Holt of Springdale and Denny Altes of Fort Smith as un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life. Senate Bill 206, which died in the Senate, would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and also force state agencies to report suspected cases of people living in the country illegally. Holt, R-Springdale, replied later to Huckabee's comments that Christian charity does not include turning a blind eye to lawbreaking.
Amazing, how the washington compost wants to tell what issues the people in South Carolina are voting on before the vote.
Do those Evangelicals know Leviticus 18:22?
Do they know that Huckabee has hired a "gay" Republican activist as a campaign adviser?
I guess Huckabee wants homosexuals to come "out of the shadows" too.
>>Huckabee takes a harder line. He and others argue that immigrants who broke the law to come here should be forced to return home and “get in line” to return legally.<<
He argues that they should “get in line” out of one side of his mouth, but out of the other side, they will be able to return in “days or maybe weeks.” Pretty sloppy analysis.
However, if we believe the polls, and believe that immigration is really a “top issue,” that makes it more puzzling.
Not to SC voters: If we as a nation toss our sovereignty into the dumpster, all those other issues aren't gonna matter a hill of beans.