Rove: Hispanics are `real Americans'

SF Gate ^ | July 11, 2006 | MICHAEL R. BLOOD

[managusta]

White House political strategist Karl Rove said Tuesday that the highly charged immigration debate has "clouded" the views of some Americans, leading them to dismiss the importance of immigrants and their contribution to the nation's success.

"Everything that this country is, everything that we have achieved, everything that we hold, everything that we promise, is because we are a nation of diversity, brought together by immigration, and sharing a common dream," Rove told members of the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights group, the National Council of La Raza.

Rove ticked off enforcement elements of the president's proposal, but added, "All these measures will come to naught without a temporary worker program. ... It's not enough to say send them home."

He also warned that critics against were confusing the debate with catchwords, rather than solutions.

"Too many simplify the problem into one word, "amnesty," Rove said. "In an issue this vital, we cannot allow words to be misused."

[crabapple joe]

They believe in fences around their own houses but not the nation they have pledges allegiance to.

Oh that is sooooo good....may I quote you to my Congressman?

[primeval patriot]

Anyone see a transcript yet?

[M. Dodge Thomas]

I must say that while I find the much of the WH strategy for the 2006 elections generally mysterious, this speech is particularly bizarre - I find it hard to believe it's going to attract "moderate Republican" and independent votes, as as is obvious from comments here it infuriates much of the "base". Rove is supposed to be a master tactician, from the WH perspective why not just let the issue slide until after the election, instead of essentially declaring war with as powerful faction of his own party?

No one is closer the President, it's hard it's believe Rove is a loose cannon on this issue...is it possible that the President, who we know tends to take opposition very personality and occasional see it as “disloyalty”, is personalizing his disagreements with congressional Republicans on this one.

If so, I can't see see anything by trouble ahead.

[antceecee]

That picture of Rove speaking on the dais of a racist organisation that clearly states in it's mission the 'reconquest" of the southwestern US has to be the most despicable, sickening, unpatriotic behavior I have seen by a sitting administration official since the Clintoon administration. No excuses. Political pandering at it's ugliest. I am reminded of Gore at the Buddhist temple not far from where I live. I will most likely be banned for my criticism of this administration's despicable behavior on this issue, but I have to say they will do great harm to the Republican Party and to our country if they persist in this quest for the Latino vote (legal and illegal, it does not matter to them).

[stands2reason]

Shoot for how many Hispanic families can trace their linage here to the time of the US Mexico war

Depends on where you are. California, Texas, not so much, New Mexico, more so. Names that are rare for current Mexican immigrants like Baca and Trujillo are very common in N. New Mexico. They are the descendants of the original settlers.

[skeeter]

Surely you can be more adult than this, surely.

Usuall. However my level of discourse sometimes tends to rise & fall in accordance to those with whom I'm... discoursing. Its a weakness of mine.

You gotta admit the referenced whining post of your's really was incongruent to your opening comment.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Exactly. Families were given a choice when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed to say on either side of the border and become citizens of their chosen country, many had homes on this side and wanted to be American Citizens, they were already here and were allowed to stay and did become upstanding citizens. By contrast there was Europeans in Mexico who stayed in Mexico (mostly Northern Mexico) and they stayed there as well... Mitt Romney's family is a good example and many still live in N. Mexico/

[politicalwit]

"Rove and GW are both Texans"

I don't know about Krazy Karl, but GWB is NOT a Texan. He may reside in Texas but he was born in Connecticut, educated a Phillips-Hanover Academy in MA, college at Yale and Harvard. GWB is an east coast rino.

[Melas]

Well, at least you admit your prejudices. That's more than I can say for most. Bully for you.

[taxed2death]

From your description:

"Just a small business owner, that identifies with the Conservative ideology of small government and tax cuts; capitalism."

and...

"I'm hopelessly liberal on immigration. They took the nerve to get across the border to work here....let them stay. Give them citizenship."

I'm liberal on immigration too. I'm a staunch Conservative and will give no illegal a pass. You seem not to be able to differentiate between the two.

How can you claim to be a conservative and yet support illegal activity?

How can you justify the unfair advantage a small business owner who hires illegals has over a legal, legit business owner?

How does this fit in with your supposed "conservative" ideology?

Obviously you've never lost a contract to a business who hires illegals and thus is able to undercut your bids....unless you employ illegals in your own business.

The foundation of a capitalistic system MUST be founded on an even playing field. To look the other way certainly is not a conservative trait, it's not "fair" and is actually quite "Un-American".

How can you justify the theft of taxpayer funded government services that many illegals take part in.

How is this position "conservative"?

How is it Conservative to accept the fact or look the other way when the first thing an "undocumented worker" does is cross an international border illegally?


is falsifying official documents a "conservative" trait?

Get real, you're an illegal apologist.

[shellback_72]

Rove said. "In an issue this vital, we cannot allow words to be misused."

Save for the lack of the word "illegal," what a *.

[Arizona Carolyn]

This year has gone totally off the rails, Dubai, Harriet Miers, Illegal Immigration, etc.

[antceecee]

Yes, they are Spanish and they don't like to be called Mexican according to my friends (who are Mexican Americans) who live there.

[RIghtWingAvenger]

Totally agree. He plays Texan for the photo ops.

[Arizona Carolyn]

They make up the majority because they are coming here illegally while our government looks the other way and (as another poster mentioned) they don't allow educated Asians the same access to our country.

[SoCalPol]

Yes, I saw that also.
We have tens of thousands of illegals here in our county.
If others think it is cute, Why don't they help support the illegals the way we have to here into the mega millions a year.

[dennisw]

There's something that we citizens of the US need to consider. We say that our nationality is "American." In fact, we often say that we're from "America," which really only indicates that we come from one of two continents--North America or South America. Anyone who is from North, South, or Central America is American, and we acknowledge that it all the time when we say "South/North/Central American." Other languages actually have nationality words for us that are the equivalent of "United Statesian." Saying "You are true American" carries a different meaning to non-citizens of the US than it does to citizens.

That's utter nonsense. The meaning of American means you are a citizen of the United States of America. Why on earth am I supposed to care how foreigners define/use the word American? Grab hold of a legal immigrant who has just become a citizen and he'll proudly tell you he is an American

[stephenjohnbanker]

EL ~BUMP-O

[stephenjohnbanker]

I listened to it this morning. Even Rick was mortified!

[Das Outsider]

Rove is supposed to be a master tactician, from the WH perspective why not just let the issue slide until after the election, instead of essentially declaring war with as powerful faction of his own party?

One of Rove's crowning achievements was--and liberals will admit this--getting President Bush reelected in 2004 against Walter Mondale cum tan-in-a-can, John Kerry.

Genius? I would have to question that.