Thread: Dean says Democrats won't politicize immigration for votes

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/dulut ... 923423.htm

Posted on Wed, Jun. 28, 2006

Dean says Democrats won't politicize immigration for votes

EMILY FREDRIX
Associated Press

MILWAUKEE - Howard Dean told the nation's oldest Hispanic rights group on Wednesday that Democrats will not use the issue of immigration to divide the country and win in the upcoming midterm elections.

The Democratic National Committee chairman said Republicans have been using immigration to advance their own agenda without thinking about what's right for the country.

"Immigrant bashing and scapegoating is wrong in order to win elections and we're not going to do it," Dean said at the League of United Latin American Citizens convention in Milwaukee.

He said Republicans have been in control of Congress and the White House for years and could have done something about immigration and border security had they wanted to. But he said they were waiting for the approaching elections.

"This was going to be the group that they were going to point to to win the election," he said.

He added sarcastically: "Point a finger, talk about a problem but for God's sake don't solve it. That's how you win elections."

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman was scheduled to address the group on Tuesday but could not make the trip because of flooding on the East Coast, the RNC said.

In a letter to convention attendees, he said it was important for the party to reach out to Hispanic voters and continue working on the immigration issue.

"The President and I believe that the answer to the immigration issue is a comprehensive solution, one that embraces our history and our compassion, one which continues to welcome new immigrants - but one which also recognizes the rule of law and keeps our nation secure," Mehlman wrote.

Dean said Democrats want a comprehensive immigration reform package that won't criminalize people in the country illegally. He said the current measure before the Senate was better than the House version in that it offered chances of citizenship, though it still did not go far enough.

He said the House measure, sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., was an embarrassment to the country because it not only made illegal immigrants subject to felony prosecution but also potentially criminalized people like doctors and priests who help them.

Dean promised a Democratic takeover would bring about change and asked those in the audience for help.

"We will do better than they will," Dean said of Republicans. "If you give us a chance, we will do better."

More than 10,000 people were expected at this week's convention, which wraps up Saturday. The week's programs include sessions on immigration, health care and business. On Friday, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and the Rev. Jesse Jackson are scheduled to address the group.

Dean praised a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier on Wednesday that said a pro-Republican Texas congressional map did not protect minority voting rights, part of a lawsuit brought by the Hispanic group, known as LULAC.

But Dean said he was disappointed the decision did not go farther. The high court upheld most of the map, which was drawn by former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, and said all states should be able to draw new political boundaries whenever they want.

"While we're disappointed the decision did not go further, at least today's decision affirms the importance of reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act," he said.

LULAC president Hector Flores praised the decision as a victory for the group and all underrepresented people in the country. He said LULAC was prepared to go to court as early as next week to issue its plan for redistricting.

"Latinos will register to vote and will vote in November," he said. "And we will change the map and we will change the Beltway."

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League of Latin American Citizens: http://www.lulac.org

And Democrats who are just as bad as republicans on immigration and many other issues issue think they would be any better?

Anyone who pays any attention to this idiot is also an idiot!!!!

Dean says Democrats won't politicize immigration for votes

Of course you won't Mr Dean you'll just pander to them.

"Immigrant bashing and scapegoating is wrong in order to win elections and we're not going to do it,"

Oh give me a break! Such high standards of ethics NOT!