You Be The Judge!
As Mike Huckabee continues to improve in the polls, his positions on the issues are coming under greater scrutiny. Over the last week, a heated debate has broken out between Huckabee and many of the other candidates over the immigration issue, and particularly the question of providing benefits to the children of illegal immigrants.On Friday, many of the leading groups fighting illegal immigration blasted Huckabee for his position on the issue. While Governor Huckabee now says he is against amnesty and for secure borders, he continues to raise eyebrows with his defense of scholarships and other taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens.
Since the illegal immigration debate will continue to be a big part of the 2008 campaign, and no doubt a key item on the legislative agenda in 2009, as it has been in Congress for the past few years, I want to get your take on the controversy.
The FactsWhen he was governor of Arkansas, Huckabee supported legislation allowing illegal immigrants who had attended Arkansas high schools to participate in a scholarship program to attend college. Huckabee lost that debate, and the bill failed. He also strongly opposed an effort by state Senator Jim Holt, also an ordained Southern Baptist minister, to end taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigrants in Arkansas and to require proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. Huckabee denounced Holt's legislation as "race baiting" and "demagoguery."
Huckabee's ArgumentGovernor Huckabee strongly defends the positions he took as governor on aid to illegals. He argues that denying illegal immigrant students scholarship money would be punishing children for what their parents have done. He says, "my soul will not let me" do that. On ABC News this weekend, when he was asked whether or not he would support federal scholarships for illegal immigrant students, Huckabee said, "I'm not sure." Senate Democrats recently proposed the "DREAM Act," which would have allowed illegal aliens to receive taxpayer subsidized in-state college tuition rates that out-of-state American citizens cannot get.
The "DREAM Act," like other recent immigration "reform" efforts, failed to pass due to overwhelming public outrage. One year ago, Huckabee compared America's response to illegal immigration to slavery by remarking, "One of the great challenges facing us is that we do not commit the same mistakes with our growing Hispanic population that we did with African Americans 150 years ago. I think, frankly, the Lord is giving us a second chance to do better than we did before."
The Critics' Response
Critics of Huckabee's positions point out that many illegal immigrants are entering the U.S. because they want to get benefits for their children. Increasing those benefits, such as college scholarships, would serve as a magnet for illegal immigrants. Since scholarship money is always limited, every scholarship that is given to an illegal immigrant student is a scholarship that is taken away from an American citizen. In addition, they point out that while it is a Christian responsibility to help the poor, it is not Christian to take someone else's money through the power of Big Government to redistribute it to the disadvantaged. Huckabee's critics also say that comparing slavery to illegal immigration is a complete distortion. Finally, they reject Huckabee's argument that children shouldn't be punished for their parents' actions. Children do get hurt when their parents are punished, including when a parent is imprisoned for criminal behavior.
My Take
I think the critics are closer to the truth in this debate. I believe any Republican presidential nominee who has a soft record on illegal immigration will have a hard time distinguishing themselves from Hillary Clinton, who, as you know, is tripping over herself to avoid appearing to be soft on illegal immigration.
What do you think?
Please address the issue I have presented. I have accurately described the two sides of the debate, so I am not sympathetic to the idea that simply posing the question is somehow anti-Huckabee. Rather this is part of an ongoing debate we need to have in order to understand what the conservative position on immigration "reform" is and to ensure that we have a clear conservative nominee in 2008. This issue cuts across party lines and many Americans - Republicans, Democrats, Independents - were outraged by the repeated efforts of politicians in both parties to push comprehensive immigration reform. Please feel free to pass on this "End of Day" update to interested friends and family members.
Paid for by Campaign for Working Families and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Campaign for Working Families2800 Shirlington RoadSuite 930Arlington, VA 22206 Phone: 703-671-8800 Fax: 703-671-8899 Web: www.cwfpac.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I wanted to say that Mr. Bauer's last two paragraphs would deem his remarks as "fair enough." So please don't take my remarks as attacking as I have heard the intent Mr. Bauer portrays in his remarks and wish to respond in like kind with the understanding that he seeks opinions to develop an evangelical front.
To begin with, there is no candidate offered by the GOP that is perfect on all of the issues, quite frankly I can't remember when in recent history that has ever happened. Ronald Regan was not even perfect. Therefore the
voter (particularly the evangelical voter) must vote according to those principals they hold close. The problem with most non-evangelical GOP (or according to Bob Novak - the Serious Republicans) is that their principals tend to be secularistic which given the current global climate could be dangerous to our National sovereignty and ultimately national security.
In light of the imperfect selection before us, as we look at immigration, I believe Mike Huckabee is more of a Realist as the Governor looking at the
"Big Picture" in terms of humanity.
As Evangelicals - can we call ourselves Pro-Life if we are not concerned with life from cradle to grave? No. Mike Huckabee was faced with children in his school system that were illegal immigrants as a result of their parents breaking of the law.
Why didn't the Governor look up the student's parents, load them onto Greyhound Busses, and ship them back across the border? For the same reason Mitt Romney and
Rudy Giuliani didn't. For the same reason Tancredo didn't do it in Colorado and Ron Paul and Hunter didn't oversee such a project in their respective states. The huge cost of such a project. The political popularity of removing illegals from the factory's and other employers began to depend
upon the illegal's (a decision - had it been made - would have drawn as much fire as his failed bill), and the issue has only become an issue within the last several years as George Bush promotes Amnesty.
Bottom line, Governor Huckabee's response to the immigration issue in Arkansas was a simply an
attempt to resolve an issue that the Federal Government was ignoring - or worse - trying to fix it in a wrong fashion.
Mike Huckabee is VERY CLEAR in his position that Mr. Bauer failed to mention.
Last Friday the Governor reiterated his position on the Sean Hannity radio broadcast.
Mike Huckabee opposes Amnesty.
Mike Huckabee Supports IMMEDIATE
border security as THE FIRST STEP to resolve the problem.
Mike SUPPORTS punishing illegal's and deporting them.
Mike - when asked if he would be in
favor of loading illegals on a bus and shipping them home, unapologetically stated "Yes" - he would favor that.
The Governor has been very clear that his efforts were to make a bad situation less distasteful to the citizens of Arkansas (of which I was a resident for two of his 10 year term). Maybe Mike's humanitarian efforts where immigrants are concerned are why he is popular with many southern
Democrats. It certainly is NOT because Mike is some sort of RHINO.
Mike is Right: In this country we do not punish children for the sins of their parents
Mike is Right: America is the land of OPPORTUNITY and if a child has come through the school system (required by law - not Gov. Huckabee) and have done well - then they should be given an opportunity to further their
education.
From an Evangelical perspective, Jesus said "suffer not the
little children to come unto me." That is the Spirit of which a Christian Nation stands and Evangelicals should be in the forefront of leadership.
Should Mike (as President) create a Federal provision similar to the state provision he tried to pass and failed? NO.
As President he should try to fix the bigger picture of the overall issue (which is what he proposes to do - if elected).
As Evangelicals - we should support Mike's candidacy because he is stronger on other Evangelical and Value's issues than any other candidate.
Mike is JUST AS STRONG (if not stronger) on immigration as Mitt Romney - who had his illegal's working in his lawn. Mike addressed that issue as well on Sean Hannity. If Mitt Romney wants to play the immigrant card - he shouldn't throw stones in glass houses. Mitt asked Rudy the question "do I - as a home owner - go ask for green card proof?" If memory serves - Mike stated that he would have answered that question with a resounding YES!
I certainly believe "YES" is the answer. If Mitt Romney hired a contractor - is he not responsible for the safety of each of the contracted company's employees
while on his property (should one break a leg or become otherwise injured)? The answer is YES.
Yes he would be responsible - so why not be responsible to the citizens of Massachusetts and arrest an illegal immigrant found on State Grounds Governor's Mansion) or at the home of the Governor's private residence.
As for the slavery "distortion" it is no distortion. If the Federal
Government is going to allow illegal immigrants to remain in this country - - then we have a Responsibility at the state and local level to treat them as humans - not sub-humans. If we can't offer them the opportunities equal to that of their neighbors and school-mates - then the
Federal Government needs to load them up and ship them out - they don't need to be here. Or they need to work through proper channels to become citizens - which is what Governor Huckabee's bill proposed for qualification
of said scholarships.
The Governor's mindset is that of bringing ideas to the table for the exchange of discussion and debate. He has clearly maintained that mindset through each of the debates and he is the more articulate of any other
candidate available from both parties combined. He is unshakeable when thrown a curve-ball question and answers honestly and openly. His idea for the
scholarship bill was not accepted, it was voted down, it does not define his ten years in Executive Branch Service and experience any more than the inability of George W. Bush to articulate well defines his undeniable success and intelligence as President.
Gary Bauer mistakingly states (again and again) that Mike is soft on immigration - as do other critics. Mike Huckabee is not soft
on immigration (or if he is - you have to call Rudy and Mitt equally soft - but no one seems to be). The reason we will never hear that as a defining point of Rudy and Mitt is because this is the ONLY issue of any weight that can be brought against Mike Huckabee - while Rudy and Mitt have a broader
range of weaknesses and soft spots).
Where immigration is concerned - Governor Mike Huckabee attempted to take the high road in the absence of Federal Support who would have promoted Amnesty during the Governor's tenure (which Huckabee opposes).
From a Presidential perspective - Mike Huckabee is aware of the division our country is in. He will again seek the High Road by securing the borders, building a fence, refusing bills of amnesty coming to his desk, and seeking
a plausible plan with Biblical/Christian principals influencing his decision that will resolve the immigration dilemma we face.
If I have failed to address every issue or didn't go deep enough, please feel to comment further or ask the question.
Mike Is Right For U.S.
Michael Phillips
www.elephantroom08.blogspot.com
From Gary Bauer:
You Are Fantastic!
Wow! What a response. Yesterday, I presented you two sides in the
immigration debate, and asked whether illegal immigrant students should be
eligible for taxpayer-funded college scholarships. Governor Huckabee
pushed for such a program in Arkansas and has come under heavy criticism by
conservative leaders for doing so.
When I got to the office this morning, I was greeted with hundreds and
hundreds of thoughtful e-mails from all over the country. Thank you for
taking the time to share your thoughts on an issue that is sure to be hotly
debated in the months ahead. Quite a few of you had your own detailed
ideas on how to deal with illegal immigration - ideas that were so good, I
am going to pass them on to our friends in Congress.
The overwhelming majority of you were opposed to benefits of any kind -
scholarships, driver's licenses or anything else - that normally go to
citizens. The ratio was 90% opposed, five percent in favor and another
five percent undecided.
Not surprisingly, many were very passionate about the issue, and some of
you even shared your personal experiences as naturalized American citizens
who, with great difficulty and at great expense, followed the rules and
respected our laws.
A few passionate supporters of Governor Huckabee expressed anger at me for
even raising the issue. I respectfully disagree. We have got to be
willing to have these discussions now about the records of the candidates
if we want to come up with the best ticket possible in 2008.
The immigration issue could very well determine the outcome of next year's
election. In fact, one recent survey found that this issue ranked
extremely high among self-identified Independents' list of concerns.
Let's hope that the candidates are getting the message. Our next president
and the next Congress could take dramatic steps toward restoring the
public's confidence by enacting serious measures to secure our borders,
curb illegal immigration and make English our national language.
The Truth on Mike Huckabee and Immigration
- The Governor opposes and will never allow amnesty.
- Governor Huckabee believes that securing our borders must be our top priority and has reached the level of a national emergency.
- The Governor supports the $3 billion the Senate has voted for border security. This money will train and deploy 23,000 more agents, add four drone planes, build 700 miles of fence and 300 miles of vehicle barriers, and put up 105 radar and camera towers.
- In this age of terror, illegal immigration is not only an economic issue, but also a national security issue.
- Governor Huckabee opposed the amnesty bill that was attempted to be rushed through Congress this summer, and opposed the misnamed DREAM Act, which would have put us on the slippery slope to amnesty for all.
- Governor Huckabee opposes and will not tolerate sanctuaries for illegals.
- Governor Huckabee opposes giving driver's licenses to those who are illegally in our country and supports legislation to prevent states from doing so.
- Governor Huckabee believes illegal aliens who try to vote or try to apply for welfare benefits should be arrested.
- Governor Huckabee will stop punishing cities which try to enforce our laws and protect the economic well-being, physical safety, and quality of life of our citizens.
- Governor Huckabee opposes and will not tolerate employers who hire illegals. They must be punished with fines and penalties so large that they will see it is not worth the risk or profitable.
- Governor Huckabee opposes the economic integration of North America that would create open borders among the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- Governor Huckabee will never yield one inch of American sovereignty.
- Governor Huckabee will take our country back for those who belong here. No open borders, no amnesty, no sanctuary, no false Social Security numbers, no driver's licenses for illegals.
It has been reported that Mike Huckabee supported benefits for illegals immigrants while he was Governor of Arkansas.
Governor Huckabee never supported benefits for illegal immigrants. In Arkansas, illegal immigrants do not receive welfare benefits or food stamps. Governor Huckabee has always, and will always be supportive of the laws and regulations of the country.
It has also been said that Mike Huckabee was in favor of providing college scholarships for illegal immigrants while he was Governor.
The governor only supported the measure that applied to those who met the academic qualifications and applied for legal citizenship. The measure didn't pass. Governor Huckabee stressed that any student would simply be treated as any other graduate of an Arkansas High School, and not given any special consideration.
Critics say that Governor Huckabee's motives behind opening a Mexican consulate office in Little Rock was to court illegals to come work in Arkansas.
The Mexican consulate provided Arkansas businesses with access to Mexico and opportunities to expand their markets, and would help further ensure that immigrants from Mexico are legal and better able to secure legal documentation. At the same time, the office would open up opportunities for Mexican investors to invest money with Arkansas partners, which would help create more jobs in the state.
Post a Comment