Thread: Romney’s new Hispanic Steering Committee includes DREAM Act supporters

Mitt Romney’s newly announced Hispanic Steering Committee includes a half dozen supporters of the DREAM Act he opposes

By Callum Borchers, Globe Correspondent

Mitt Romney’s newly unveiled Hispanic Steering Committee includes a cosponsor and at least five other supporters of the Development, Relief and Education for Minors (DREAM) Act, the proposed legislation that would pave the way to citizenship for some illegal immigrant youths, which Romney opposes.

The Romney campaign on Wednesday announced the members of the committee, called “Juntos con Romney,” which means “Together with Romney.” The formation of the committee represents one of Romney’s most concerted efforts to date to reach out to Hispanic voters, with whom he trails President Obama by 34 points, according to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Telemundo poll.

One member of the committee’s National Advisory Board is former Florida Senator Mel Martinez, who cosponsored the 2009 version of the DREAM Act.

Romney’s new committee is led by three chairmen, including former Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, who said in 2010 that it would be a “shame” for Congress not to pass the bill during that year’s lame-duck session.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, an advisory board member, has dubbed the DREAM Act “a fair policy.”

Raise Your Voice
Click to contact candidates or elected officials about this issue. The Obama campaign pounced on the discord.

“Unfortunately for Governor Romney, an advisory council can’t Etch A Sketch away his extreme positions on the issues that matter to Hispanic families,” said Gabriela Domenzain, the Obama campaign’s director of Hispanic press. “Governor Romney is on the wrong side of every Hispanic voter priority. He is the most extreme presidential candidate we’ve seen on immigration, with positions so out of touch with the mainstream that even the members of his Hispanic advisory council have criticized him.”

The DREAM Act, first introduced in 2001, would provide a pathway to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants who spend at least two years in college or the military. To be eligible, immigrants must have entered the US before age 16 and lived here for at least five years. They also must have clean criminal records and high school diplomas or GEDs.

Romney has said he would veto the DREAM Act if it were to pass when he was president but has not explained his opposition at length. During a roundtable discussion with Latino business leaders in Tempe, Ariz., in April, the presumptive Republican nominee brushed aside the topic.

“They’re bright; they can help carry this country forward,” Manuel Pacheco, former president of the University of Arizona, told Romney. “I think it would be a shame to lose that particular talent that they bring.”

Romney thanked Pacheco for his comments then turned to the next panelist without discussing the DREAM Act further, according news accounts.

A press release announcing Romney’s Hispanic Steering Committee focused on the economy and did not mention immigration. It made four references to “the American Dream” but used the phrase only in the context of Romney’s promise to outperform President Obama in job creation and personal income.

“With so many Hispanic families struggling, we need a leader who will make the American Dream a reality for all,” Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño, an honorary chairman, said in the release.

Part of Romney’s immigration strategy, however, centers on worsening the struggles of some Hispanics -- those who come to the US illegally.

“The answer is self-deportation, which is people decide they can do better by going home because they can’t find work here because they don’t have legal documentation to allow them to work here,” Romney said during a January debate in Tampa.

Romney’s plan drew criticism from New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez.

“ ‘Self-deport?’ What the heck does that mean?” Martinez said in an interview with The Daily Beast last month. “I have no doubt Hispanics have been alienated during this campaign.”

Despite the clash -- and the fact that Martinez supports a DREAM Act-style pathway to citizenship -- Romney named her an honorary chairwoman of his committee. Martinez said in the press release that she is “proud to stand with him and look[s] forward to working to get him elected.”

Romney has a reputation, dating to his career in business, for soliciting counsel from people with whom he disagrees. The inclusion of DREAM Act backers on Romney’s committee reflects that sensibility, his campaign said.

“Governor Romney and his supporters may not always agree on every issue, but they do agree this country is heading in the wrong direction and Mitt Romney is the right candidate to get the economy back on track,” campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul told the Globe in an e-mail.

The other stated supporters of the DREAM Act on Romney’s committee are representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and former Florida Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Another member, Florida state Representative Anitere Flores, voted for a state version of the DREAM Act.

Callum Borchers can be reached at callum.borchers@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @callumborchers.

Mitt Romney’s newly announced Hispanic Steering Committee includes a half dozen supporters of the DREAM Act he opposes - Political Intelligence - A national political and campaign blog from The Boston Globe - Boston.com

“They’re bright; they can help carry this country forward,” Manuel Pacheco, former president of the University of Arizona, told Romney. “I think it would be a shame to lose that particular talent that they bring.”

What particular talent is he talking about? The talent to jump fences?

Mel Martinez
Carlos Gutierrez
Jeb Bush
Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño
Susana Martinez
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Mario Diaz-Balart
Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Anitere Flores

This is an interesting list a couple of the same names appear in the following article.

Tue, 04/19/2011 - 21:26 · Importance: 4
Obama meets with "stakeholders" for amnesty propaganda push ("immigration reform")

Earlier today, Barack Obama met with a group of 70 "stakeholders" to discuss a new push for comprehensive immigration reform. The stakeholders in question represent only a small number of Americans; see the list below. The Whitehouse blurb released about the meeting is at [1], and the goal seems to have been alluded to in this part: "[Obama] urged meeting participants to take a public and active role to lead a constructive and civil debate on the need to fix the broken immigration system".

In other words, he wants those listed below to help propagandize this issue, almost assuredly using lies like the one used in the blurb (see system is broken). In the blurb he also expressed disappointment that the DREAM Act amnesty failed. That anti-American bill would have allowed the illegal aliens covered by it take college educations away from Americans.

In a better world, propaganda pushes wouldn't be that much to worry about. Unfortunately, those who might be the loudest opponents to this push lack certain qualities that make resistance more difficult. Other very loud possible opponents lack integrity and are willing to cave in exchange for various promises. Other, very loud and annoying supposed Obama opponents (i.e., the tea parties) have an even greater lack of certain qualities and are led by corrupt amnesty supporters (FreedomWorks' Dick Armey, Grover Norquist, the Koch family, etc.) Plus, the Teapartiers don't exactly have a good record when it comes to opposing amnesty, preferring to concentrate on other, less important issues. And, GOP hacks won't see the value in opposing a not-very-likely amnesty. That's despite how important it is to the U.S. to lessen illegal immigration and despite how vulnerable the Democrats are on the issue.

So, while yet another amnesty push doesn't stand much of a chance, it's chances are greater than they'd be without supposed Obama opponents who are incompetent or corrupt.

Here's a list of some of those who attended or at least were expected to attend. See their name's link for background:

* Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals
* Michael Bloomberg
* Bill Bratton, Former Police Chief of Los Angeles and New York
* Julian Castro, mayor of San Antonio
* Michael Chertoff, Former secretary of the Department of Homeland Security
* John Engler, president of the Business Roundtable
* Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council President
* Carlos Gutierrez, Former Secretary of the Commerce Department
* Raymond Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department
* Mel Martinez, Former United States Senator, now with JPMorgan Chase Bank
* Greg Page, Chairman and CEO of Cargill
* Federico Pena, Former Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Energy
* John Podesta, CEO, Center for American Progress
* Charles Ramsey, Chief of Police, City of Philadelphia/President, Major City Chiefs
* Al Sharpton, President, National Action Network
* Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook
* Arnold Schwarzenegger, Former California Governor
* Richard Trumka, AFL CIO
* John Wester, Bishop, Archdiocese of Salt Lake City
Administration officials who attended include:
* Attorney General Eric Holder
* Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
* Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
* Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
* Cecilia Munoz, Deputy Assistant to the President & Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
* Valerie Jarrett, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor
* Nancy Ann DeParle, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy
* Melody Barnes, Assistant to the President & Director of Domestic Policy Council
* Gene Sperling, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy & Director of National Economic Council
* Austan Goolsbee, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers
* Heidi Avery, Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security
[1] From whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/04/19/
The rest of the article is at:
http://24ahead.com/obama-meets-stake...sh-immigration

Originally Posted by iwonde

“They’re bright; they can help carry this country forward,” Manuel Pacheco, former president of the University of Arizona, told Romney. “I think it would be a shame to lose that particular talent that they bring.”

What particular talent is he talking about? The talent to jump fences?

Don't forget digging tunnels and wadding across the Rio Grande .

For our Spanish speaking readers:
Mitt Romney anuncia "Juntos Con Romney" su grupo de campaña hispano.

And right off the bat you can make out the troublesome people on his Hispanic dream team.

Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, former Sen. Mel Martinez, Gov. Susana Martinez, Carlos Gutierrez (Bush's former Secretary of Commerce).

From Romney's own site:
Mitt Romney Announces "Juntos Con Romney" Hispanic Leadership Team

Expanded article from Romney.
Mitt Romney Announces "Juntos Con Romney" Hispanic Leadership Team

Team Romney | June 6, 2012

“Juntos Con Romney” will be led by National Chairmen Former Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Former Attorney General of Puerto Rico Jose Fuentes, and Former Administrator of the Small Business Administration Hector Barreto. Other prominent Hispanic leaders from across the country will serve on the leadership team and help guide the campaign on important Hispanic initiatives and outreach.

“The Hispanic community has been especially hard-hit by President Obama’s policies,” said Secretary Gutierrez. “Instead of spurring economic growth and creating jobs, President Obama has only expanded government and hurt job-creation. We need a leader who will bring back jobs, help small businesses, and ensure that the American Dream remains for future generations. Mitt Romney has a proven record of creating jobs both in the private sector and as governor. Together with Mitt Romney, we will be able to do what President Obama has failed to do: fix the economy, create jobs, and get our country on the right track again.”

“President Obama’s failed economic policies have not helped Hispanics as he promised they would,” said Jose Fuentes. “All across America, businesses are failing and families are struggling. We cannot sit idly by while President Obama piles up more debt and implements more job-killing policies. Mitt Romney is a bold leader who has shown through his experience in both government and business that he knows how to create jobs and restore economic security. I’m proud to stand with him.”

“America can do better. These last four years have seen record unemployment, homes foreclosed, and the middle class struggling like never before,” said Hector Barreto. “We need a leader who will spur economic growth and reignite the American Dream for all our citizens. That man is Mitt Romney. I’m honored to stand together with him and his campaign to get our country back on track.”

“Mitt Romney has the experience we need to turn around this economy,” said Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño. “He spent his life in the real world, creating jobs for middle class families and growing businesses. As Governor of Massachusetts, he turned a $3 billion deficit into a $2 billion rainy day fund. I can’t think of better qualifications than that to tackle our record unemployment and skyrocketing debt. With so many Hispanic families struggling, we need a leader who will make the American Dream a reality for all. That’s why I’m so proud to join his team.”
“We need a leader who will reverse President Obama’s failed record and give everyone a fair shot at the American Dream,” said Governor Brian Sandoval. “As president, Mitt Romney will put jobs first and promote policies that will restore the middle class. I am honored to stand together with Mitt Romney to fight for the economic security we all deserve.”

“Mitt Romney is a problem-solver who has a record of delivering real results,” said Governor Susana Martinez. “Whether it was helping start companies in the private sector, rescuing the Olympics, or creating jobs and reducing spending as governor, Mitt Romney has demonstrated throughout his life that he can lead during tough times. President Obama has taken the country in the wrong direction and it will take a proven leader like Mitt Romney to turn things around. I am proud to stand with him and look forward to working to get him elected.”

“President Obama inspired many Americans in 2008, but since then he has deliberately pitted Americans against each other, failing to live up to the promises of his 2008 campaign,” said Senator Marco Rubio. “He has failed to fix our economy, bring back jobs, lower gas prices, and stop runaway government spending. We are not better off than we were three and a half years ago when he took office. We need to take a new course. Mitt Romney will bring his economic experience from the private sector and record of creating jobs and lowering spending as governor to Washington and will be able to restore America’s promise.”

National Chairmen:

Secretary Carlos Gutierrez
Jose Fuentes
Hector Barreto
Honorary Co-Chairmen And Co-Chairwomen:

Gov. Luis Fortuño (Puerto Rico)
Gov. Brian Sandoval (NV)
Gov. Susana Martinez (NM)
Sen. Marco Rubio (FL)
National Advisory Board:

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL)
Former Sen. Mel Martinez (FL)
Former Gov. Jeb Bush (FL)
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA)
Former Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL)
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL)
Rep. Raul Labrador (ID)
Rep. Quico Canseco (TX)
Former Interior Secretary and Former Rep. Manuel Lujan (NM)
State Sen. Anitere Flores (FL)
George P. Bush
Rudy Fernandez
Josefina Carbonell
Cari Dominguez

Mitt Romney Announces "Juntos Con Romney" Hispanic Leadership Team

Originally Posted by iwonde

“They’re bright; they can help carry this country forward,” Manuel Pacheco, former president of the University of Arizona, told Romney. “I think it would be a shame to lose that particular talent that they bring.”

What particular talent is he talking about? The talent to jump fences?

Oh they have many talents like stealing identities, using fraudulent documents, picking and choosing which laws to follow if any, and getting away with all kinds of things.

They always say things like 'the best and the brightest'. And what are the legal American citizens, stupid?