Posted on 07/14/2010 8:01:26 AM PDT by Fred
Immigration reform critics are seizing on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's comments this week that seemed to downplay the number of illegal immigrants working construction jobs in Nevada, even though a recent study found that his home state had the largest percentage of undocumented workers in the country.
When a reporter from KLAS-TV in Las Vegas told Reid a 2009 Pew Hispanic Center report found 17 percent of the nation’s construction workers were undocumented, the Nevada Democrat replied: “That may be some place, but it’s not here in Nevada.”
Political opponents have tried to twist Reid’s words, saying he believes there are no illegal workers in Nevada. But Reid spokesman Jim Manley clarified his boss’ comments on Wednesday, saying the majority leader was simply disputing the reporter’s statistic and did not say the state has zero illegal workers.
In the interview, Reid also was asked why he blocked an amendment introduced by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) last year that would have required all construction firms working on economic stimulus projects to use E-Verify, the federal online system that allows employers to check whether someone is eligible to work in the country.
“That’s the reason we need to do comprehensive immigration reform,” Reid said. “We cannot do it piecemeal.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
OR harry von schtupp
Yep, `quoting out of context’: feeble child of one-sidedness and ambiguity.
It is not hard to see how Nevadans vote in an ass clown like Reid when ya check out some of the bozos we have in offices all around the country.
We should also encourage people to do what the Amazing Racist has done - drive them to the nearest local immigration office as seen in this video.
http://espanol.video.yahoo.com/watch/5008975/13325302
But I’d call the INS/ICE on the way to the immigration office so they are ready to capture them on the front lawn of the property.
Harry may be right - are there any construction jobs left in Nevada since the dems came to power?
Yeah, Reid is great, he is running around with a friggin halo over his head....
“Gabby Johnson is right, about Fred Johnson being right!”
Aw, now give Harry a break. What he MEANT to say was most illegals in Nevada don’t work. And as more are signed up on welfare, it will soon BECOME none!!!
MEXICAN COUPLE (woman is particularly attractive), man says: Mi esposa and yo are very hungry meester, and we work for whatever you will pay us. Can we please have a job? We no tenemos work card but we work muy hard, and muy cheep..."
NEVADA CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN: "Sure kid, we need good help. You know how to work a shovel? You and your wife go grab some shovels off that rack over there... We'll pay you at the end of each day. Now, get to work!"
“I think that any information you have in that regard is absolutely without foundation,” responded Reid.
Actually this statement adds to the other one and does indeed imply that Reid says there are no illegals working in Nevada.
The Politico scrambles to bail Harry out of an incredible statement.
REVEREND!
1st, 2nd and 3rd generation tradesmen have had their livelihoods stolen from them by the ILLEGAL hordes IN ALL 50 STATES.
The other guy asked why it mattered and went on to say that Reid is either a liar or isn't attached to the reality the rest of us live with in any meaningful way. Either way, he's unfit for public office.
So when Reid "apologizes" or says he "misunderstood" or was "misquoted" or whatever, that's what he needs to face from his constituents - it doesn't matter if he lies or doesn't know - either way, he wouldn't know reality if it bit him on the rear end.
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.