Posted on 05/29/2007 10:15:03 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
GLYNCO, Ga. (AP) - President Bush attacked opponents of an immigration deal Tuesday, suggesting they “don’t want to do what’s right for America.”
“The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place,” Bush said against a backdrop of a huge American flag.
He described his proposal—which has been agreed to by a bipartisan group of senators—as one that “makes it more likely we can enforce our border—and at the same time uphold the great immigrant tradition of the United States of America.”
Bush spoke at the nation’s largest training center for law enforcement.
He chose the get-tough setting as conservative critics blast a Senate proposal as being soft on people who break the law. Hoping to blunt that message, Bush emphasized that any new options for immigrants and foreign workers would not start until tougher security is in place.
The presidential stop came during a congressional recess, with senators back home and facing pressure from the left and right on the immigration plan. Bush’s aim is to build momentum for the legislation, perhaps his best chance for a signature victory in his second term. The Senate expects to resume debate on it next week.
“A lot of Americans are skeptical about immigration reform, primarily because they don’t think the government can fix the problems,” Bush said.
“And my answer to the skeptics is: give us a chance to fix the problems in a comprehensive way that enforces our border and treats people with decency and respect. Give us a chance to fix this problem. Don’t try to kill this bill before it gets moving,” Bush told students and instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
Bush repeatedly cast the matter as one of political courage.
“Those determined to find fault with this bill will always be able to look at a narrow slice of it and find something they don’t like,” the president said. “If you want to kill the bill, if you don’t want to do what’s right for America, you can pick one little aspect out of it.
“You can use it to frighten people,” Bush said. “Or you can show leadership and solve this problem once and for all.”
The bill would give temporary legal status to millions of unlawful immigrants, provided they came forward, paid a fine and underwent criminal background checks. To apply for a green card, they would have to pay another fine, learn English, return to their home country and wait in line.
The plan also would create a guest worker program. It would allow foreign laborers to come to the U.S. for temporary stints, yet with no guarantee they can eventually gain citizenship.
Both the new visa plan and the temporary worker program are contingent on other steps coming first. Those include fencing and barriers along the Mexico border, the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and the completion of an identification system to verify employees’ legal status.
The legislation would also reshape future immigration decisions. A new point system would prioritize skills and education over family in deciding who can immigrate.
Georgia’s senators both played leading roles in producing Bush’s deal with the Senate. Yet they have also said they may not support the final bill, depending upon how it is amended.
Bush chastised those who say the proposal offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. He called it empty political rhetoric.
Welcome back. We hope you will consider joining the Duncan Hunter team. After all, he is the best candidate on this issue and tons of others.
Isn’t he a “friend” of both of Gore’s former running mates and a cousin of John Forbes Kerry?
I've been as hard on Bush as anybody on FR, but we can't make this immigration bill a personal issue. It's not about Bush, it's about the policy he's pushing. If we come across like bitter Bush-bashers, that allows us to be marginzalized. It's the policy that's bad - or at least I think it is, because neither I nor anybody else knows what's in all of those 1000 pages. Let's focus on the policy.
Time will tell, won't it?
The original definition of a “fool” is a nonbeliever in Jesus. And many did warm to GWB because of his professed Christianity. Even called Jesus a “philosopher” in one of the “debates”, remember.
We should offer an official apology to Benedict Arnold for his loss of faith in the American cause. Everybody else gets forgiven with amnesty at one point or another, it seems. But not those two Border Patrol agents in South Texas.
Welcome back Travis. The battle for our Republic continues and we are at a perilous fork in the road!
Remember, all second term Republican presidencies end in failure or reduced expectations: Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan, Bush II.
I know about the nephew - a good looking young man who has already been in trouble with the law for drunk driving. He does appear to be working hard building his political resume. Considering his behavior and that of his sister and his outrageous cousins, it’s amazing how quiet the Media is about all that. Very sad outlook for the future. Like the Kennedys, none of these apples are falling far from their tree.
Maybe Jeb! realizes that his day came and went when Columba tried to stiff Customs and failed miserably. Now there is First Lady material. Young George needs to go back to Mexico and collect his bride, too. It will be good for the North American Union, y’know.
With all due respect Mr. President, KMA.
He may not be as much "Not John Kerry" as I thought he was not.
The problem is the new visas. Once people get them, they are “legal.” Does anyone think that more than a fraction will come forward to apply for a green card?
I've had enough of this guy. F*%@ him and the horse he rode in on.
It's about time to get a rope
It’s good to see you back on Free Republic. :-)
Borders Language Culture"
Here!
Caption this:
"If you want to scare the American people, what you say is 'the bill's an amnesty bill'. It's NOT an amnesty bill. That's empty political rhetoric, trying to frighten our fellow citizens.
People in Congress need the courage to go back to their districts and explain exactly what this bill is all about, in order to put comprehensive immigration reform in place".
We should be insulted that he thinks we are so stupid we don't comprehend what this bill is all about.
He's pig headed.
sw
Do you think if I get a Matricular Consular Card I could be eligible? LOL
He takes the worst tone with us and saves his “compassion” for the left. His whole presidency has been tolerable at best, with good legislation balancing out the bad, but this is a declaration of war on American sensibilities. He is, was, and always will be a terrible salesman, it’s just that his competition was worst.
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