Immigration crackdown focus of GOP bids in Tennessee

Scripps Howard News ^ | 7/15/2010 | Richard Locker

[Qbert]

All three Republican candidates for governor in Tennessee are running television ads calling for a state crackdown on illegal immigration.

The candidates are following a national wave that broke into a political tsunami July 6 when the Obama administration filed a lawsuit to block Arizona's law from taking effect as scheduled on July 29. The Justice Department suit says the federal government -- not the states -- sets the rules for enforcing immigration law.

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp both put new ads on the air this week saying they will seek to enact a law similar to Arizona's controversial new statute authorizing police to question people they suspect are not legal residents and to take into custody those who cannot prove it.

It allows illegal residents to be charged and convicted of a state crime, then be turned over to federal authorities.

The third Republican candidate, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, is running an ad that seems to indicate he favors an Arizona-style law, but its wording leaves open the possibility that he means Tennessee should adopt its own tough response to the problem -- such as a crackdown on employers who hire illegal immigrants that he has advocated.

"Arizona stepped up and passed a tough new law that addresses the unique challenges they face, and Tennessee should do the same," Haslam says in his ad.

The mayor has said that if the state's legislature were to pass an Arizona-style bill, he would sign it into law. But he said, "My initial efforts are going to be toward addressing the source, and I think that's the employers. The issue is people hiring illegally."

[stephenjohnbanker]

Any of them telling the truth?

[GailA]

HALSAM IS A RINO! he and wife give to both parties. He raised property taxes in Knoxville shortly after taking the mayor’s office. Doesn’t think your 2nd Amendment rights belong in eating joints that happen to serve a beer.

Bland as baby cereal.

Ron Ramsey, a state Senator & Lt. Gov. is the strongest Conservative in my opinion. He has been reversing a lot of demorats attack on our 2nd Amendment rights. Anti State Income Tax.

Wamp a DC US Rep. has a 20/20 plan if you read it, says nothing concrete, just a lot of talking. Oh yea, he wants another reading plan for the kiddies...I thought that was what SCHOOL was for.

[Lumper20]

As to the Freeper funds- “How darn tough is it to give 20 bucks? Please,there is no reason to be here if a 20- will break ya. Get a YOB.”

[GailA]

I sent in mine last week. Having FR down for several days especially with an election coming up scares me.

Let’s review the Haslam record:
Raised property taxes as Knoxville mayor

Joined rabid anti-gun mayors Bloomberg & Daley by signing on to Mayors Against Illegal Guns (subsequently resigned)

He opposes our right to carry into eating places that serve beer.

Donated to Democrats Al Gore, Arlen Spector & Jim Cooper

Recommended installation of red light cameras to Knoxville

Dems are wetting themselves to cross over & elect this “conservative” governor.

[GailA]

BTW he just joined the NRA as a life member to say he was a life member just for this governor’s race and to mitigate the fact that he joined old Bloomberg’s anti gun group.

[SharpRightTurn]

I think you’re right about Haslam, Gail.

He’s trying to buy the race, but I’m afraid he’s in the Lamar Alexander/Don Sundquist mode—Dim Lite.

Ramsey or Wamp is the way to go.

[Lumper20]

Thanks for heads up. Wife likes Ramsey.

[bert]

Ramsey certainly is.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Thanks to you both. It is hard to know which ones are real or not when you live in Arizona ;-)

[GailA]

It’s even hard when you live in the same state! Halsam runs these pabulum bland ads. Makes him look like a choir boy.

Makes it look like he has no fire in his belly.

Makes me think he has something to hide.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Makes me think he has something to hide. “

And they usually do ;-)