Rosario Marin has a commercial out saying she does not support amnesty. The ad doesn't say whether she supports Bush's "guest worker" plan though.
|
Posted on 01/28/2004 10:47:44 AM PST by yonif
DANVILLE - Declaring herself to be the only candidate who can topple U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, Republican Toni Casey sharply criticized President Bush's immigration plan Tuesday.
The former Los Altos Hills mayor, attempting to distinguish herself among a crowded field of GOP contenders, called Bush's proposal for a three-year temporary worker system "fatally flawed."
"His solution rings of amnesty and I do not support amnesty," Casey told 50 members of the San Ramon Valley Republican Women during a luncheon speech. "It will do nothing to stem the tide of illegal immigration."
Casey offered her own plan for a temporary guest-worker permit. Unlike Bush's proposal, her permit would be tied to a guaranteed job for a specified time.
"When the work is completed, the worker goes home, back to his family as he or she should," she said. She called for tighter border controls, arguing that immigrants here illegally are "a drain on our infrastructure."
Casey is one of 10 Republicans vying in the March 2 primary for the right to square off against Boxer next fall.
Boxer, a liberal Democrat from Marin County, has long been a favorite but elusive target for California Republicans. In previous elections, although polls showed her to be vulnerable to a challenge, Boxer has managed to fend off opponents, in part by painting them as conservative extremists on such issues as abortion and gun control.
Boxer has won re-election with strong support from women.
This time, two moderate women are among those seeking the GOP nomination: Casey and former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin. Both describe themselves as pro-choice, although Casey opposes abortion during later stages of pregnancy.
A recent Field Poll reveals, however, that Casey and Marin face an uphill battle for the GOP nomination.
Conducted in early January, the poll showed former Secretary of State Bill Jones to be the clear front-runner, with 28 percent support among likely Republican voters. Jones has picked up endorsements from such high-profile leaders as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Govs. Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian.
Casey and Marin trailed at 6 percent each, followed by former Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, a leader in one of the recall groups, with 3 percent.
More than half of voters remained undecided, however, which keeps Casey and others out on the campaign trail convinced they can pull off a victory.
As she criss-crosses the state, Casey said, illegal immigration has been the No. 1 issue.
If elected senator, she vows to sponsor legislation to deny transportation grants to any state that issues driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, an issue that has sharply divided Californians.
Casey said some type of work permit program is needed because the agriculture, construction and restaurant industries depend on labor from immigrants.
Her proposal would allow workers to renew their permits if their jobs continue, but if they no longer are employed yet want to remain in this country, "then, fine, you apply for a green card and get to the back of the line, just like every other immigrant that wants to come to America has to do," she said.
"The other benefit of a temporary work program is it brings the wages above ground, not underground. ... There is no underground economy and that is not only better for the worker, it is clearly better for California."
Casey added that state, county and local officials should cooperate with federal agencies in cracking down on illegal immigration.
"If you are not in the United States with a passport, a visa, a green card or a birth certificate, you should not be in this country," she said. "No other country in the world has open borders and California can't either."
On other issues, Casey said she supports vouchers that would enable parents to choose which school their child attends.
Calling for greater accountability in education, she added, "I am not going to be afraid to stand up against the teachers' union."
She supports President Bush "100 percent" on national security issues and believes recent tax cuts should be made permanent.
Rosario Marin has a commercial out saying she does not support amnesty. The ad doesn't say whether she supports Bush's "guest worker" plan though.
|
Boxer will beat him.
I've heard her asked point blank & her shucking/jiving response wasn't encouraging.
Did you ever get a definitive answer to a poster a few months back who insisted that she &/or her family were originally illegal immigrants
|
California suffers from two basic problems. Liberal governance and an illegal invasion abetted by both major parties. Which problem is more sever is a matter of personal opinion but most conservative Californians will agree it is one or the other. Taken in that light here are the answers:
1) Boxer is a nationally recognized champion of liberal governance.
2) Marin is a long time champion of the forces and philosophies that are abetting the illegal invasion.
3) Casey is a recently transformed Democrat who has a pair of gilded, Clinton kneepads in her possession.
4) Jones is instinctively a moderate with conservative roots. Jones is a seasoned politician and he will compromise even those issues held close by his constituents.
5) Kaloogian is a core conservative. A member of the "far right" as described by his party which has drifted away from him.
For conservatives their are but two choices. Kaloogian or Jones. Republican pragmatists will probably choose Jones. The members of the vast right wing conspiracy will probably choose Kaloogian.
Regardless of your choice, one thing is certain. Within 3 weeks of the election, Republican loyalists will be sent out by the RNC to convince forum members that Marin is the "only sensible choice". These halls will echo with the mantra "If you don't vote for Marin you are voting for Boxer"
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.