GOP Immigration chairman rips Gingrich’s ‘amnesty’ plan

The Hill ^ | 113011 | Jonathan Easley

[Fred]

The Republican chairman of the Immigration Reform Caucus blasted GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on Tuesday for calling to allow some illegal immigrants to remain in the country.

Speaking on CNN’s “John King, USA,” Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) likened the former House Speaker’s plan to drilling a hole in the bottom of a sinking boat to let the water out.

“Newt, I don’t care who you are,” Bilbray said. “Quit sending the mixed message that we are going to somehow reward or accommodate you if you broke the law while there are those waiting patiently and playing by the rules, waiting to come into this country legally.”

[South40]

Reagan was not right on everything. What he signed gave amnesty to what he thought would be 1.5 million ILLEGALs.

What Gingrich and his pro-amnesty supporters are advocating is to repeat Reagan's mistake ten fold.

No thanks.

[nikos1121]

I’m interested in your response. My liberal friends, some of them professionals and educated hate two people more than anyone. Sarah Palin and Newt. They’re luke warm to Romney.

So what does that tell you?

IMHO, Newt can win people over who have a modicum of intelligence because he engages them in the debate and the discussion.

I look forward to more debates and the group of candidates whittling down to two or three.

[tennmountainman]

“You folks need to start looking at the big picture. Sure, Newt’s immigration plan is a third way compromise between hard line conservative policy and squishy moderate politics, but that is only one issue out of many. They used to call it not being to see the forest for the”

True, every voter has their own hot button issues. For some, it’s immigration, for some it’s marital infidelity. for others it’s abortion, and for others it’s fiscal disipline, and yet for others, past and present DC Hacks, they are the problem, not the solution.

[Condor51]

HEY! No fair.
That's a trick question :-)

[South40]

Anything less than requiring people who are working here illegally to return home to apply for a worker visa is amnesty.
~Newt Gingrich 4/26/2006

[oh8eleven]

I am not a Gingrich fan and won’t vote for him
What if it's Newt vs Zero?
You can't sit home and hold your breath until you turn blue.

[oh8eleven]

He thought would be 1.5 million ILLEGALs.
It was 3 million and amnesty is amnesty.

Reagan was not right on everything.
But you'll give him a pass because he was Reagan, while condemning Newt. LOL ...

[South40]

But you'll give him a pass because he was Reagan, while condemning Newt. LOL

Your comprehension skills are lacking. I have never given Reagan a pass. I think the 1986 amnesty was a blemish on an otherwise great political career. I worked on every presidential campaign Reagan had starting in 1976. I was a big supporter but when it came to amnesty I wrote him and let him know I opposed it and why. As I recall he did respond. But by then it was too late the deed had been done.

Amnesty for ILLEGAL aliens is wrong, whether it proposed by a liberal Harry Reid or signed by a conservative Ronald Reagan. I give no one a pass.

[kabar]

Ed Meese called the 1986 amnesty a big mistake. Even the Gipper fumbled the ball once or twice.

[tennmountainman]

I meant the primaries.

You are right about Bilbray. And I called his office.

[kabar]

Reagan Would Not Repeat Amnesty Mistake by Edwin Meese III

[South40]

Thanks for the link kabar!

What would President Reagan do? For one thing, he would not repeat the mistakes of the past, including those of his own administration.

While that piece was written 5 years ago I agree with it 100%; we should NOT repeat the same mistake now.

[oh8eleven]

I wrote him and let him know I opposed it and why. As I recall he did respond.
As you recall? The POTUS, Ronaldus Magnus no less, replied to your letter and you vaaaaaaguely recall it?

[BfloGuy]

And where's your plan Mr. Chairman? WTF are you doing about it ... right now!

But he's right. Are you supporting Gingrich's statement or just ignoring it and giving him the benefit of a doubt? Perry sure would have been glad for all the benefitting of a doubt that Newt's been getting.

I guess if you look smart in a debate, you can offer amnesty, believe in global warming and support insurance mandates and none of it matters.

[oh8eleven]

Reagan Would Not Repeat Amnesty Mistake by Edwin Meese III.
Try and find, "I Would Not Repeat Amnesty Mistake" by Ronald Reagan ... and you can start by looking in the fiction section. That's as bad as the loony left claiming JFK's presidency was like Camelot.

[South40]

Comprehend much? Obviously not. I never used the word, "vaguely".

I probably wrote President Reagan dozens of times. I do not recall how many times I wrote him nor can I recall how many times I got a response. But I do recall that he responded on the amnesty issue and my memory is not 'vague'.

Good luck

[oh8eleven]

I do not recall how many times I wrote him nor can I recall how many times I got a response.
You sound just like Hillery and you're just as full of crap as she is.

[South40]

You not only lack the ability to comprehend you lack the ability to make sense.

Good luck to you.

[EDINVA]

He’s not chairman of a COMMITTEE; he’s chairman of a CAUCUS. The headline is purposely deceptive to create the impression he heads a committee.

[cva66snipe]

I'm glad someone is speaking out against Newt on this issue. No one can answer this question on any thread though. What has Newt actualy done since his resignation to prove he is true too conservative principles? By that I mean what political office has he held since resigning congress to prove it. Going on TV and talking? Big Deal.

Newt is proof you can resign elected office in disgrace and still run for POTUS with no proof of ever changing. NO NEWT! No Newt immigration policy. NO NO NO.