Thread: Clinton, Obama vow to stop immigrant raids, put hold on fenc

Clinton, Obama vow to stop immigrant raids, put hold on border fence
(6:47 a.m.)
By Brandi Grissom/for the Sun-News
Article Launched: 02/22/2008 07:01:16 AM MST

AUSTIN — Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama said during their Texas debate Thursday they would stop waves of immigration raids that divide families, they would encourage bilingualism, and they would put a pause on building a border fence.

Clinton of New York and Obama of Illinois focused on immigration and border security during their historic debate on the University of Texas at Austin.

The debate was pivotal, not only because it featured the first woman and first black presidential contenders, but because it came during a tight race in which Texas, for the first time in decades, could help decide the Democratic nominee.

Before the debate, the supporters for both candidates waved signs and chanted in the street outside the UT Austin recreation center turned national political stage.

Laura Hernandez, an El Paso native and president of the University of Texas at Austin campus Democrats, spoke to the audience before the debate.

The Democratic race, she said, has captured the attention of her peers.

"We hope this debate will help young voters makes a decision," Hernandez told the audience of about 2,000.

The debate was especially critical for Clinton, who has lost the past 11 primaries, including the vote from Americans abroad, and who is hoping to win March 4 contests in both Texas and Ohio.

The candidates answered several questions about immigration and border security.

Both said they want comprehensive immigration reform and a crackdown on employers who exploit undocumented workers and drive down wages.

They said they would stop immigration raids that have left children in divided families as their parents get shipped off to their home countries.

Obama and Clinton said they would favor more technology and personnel on the border to physical barriers, such as a fence.

"There is a smart way to protect our borders, and there is a dumb way to protect our borders," Clinton said.

Obama said he would make passing the Dream Act a priority, allowing the children of undocumented immigrants to attend public universities.

"I do not want two classes of citizens in this country," he said. "I want everybody to prosper."

The candidates also discussed their similar plans for health care, the economy and the war in Iraq, and they took a few opportunities to jab at each other.

Clinton's jab was perhaps the hardest when she accused Obama of plagiarizing his speeches. Some in the audience booed as she called Obama the candidate of "change you can Xerox."

State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh of El paso, a Clinton supporter who was at the debate, said the former first lady gave a winning performance and showed she could lead the nation forward.

Michael Apodaca, El Paso County Democratic Party executive committee member, said Clinton impressed him in the debate.

Her final line drew the most applause of the evening. Clinton said that, at the end of the election, she and Obama would be fine.

"I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people, and that's what this election should be about," Clinton said.

In that response, Apodaca said, he saw Clinton for the first time as a human and not just a politician.

"Actually, she seemed personable," he said.

State Rep. Norma Chávez of El Paso, an Obama supporter, said he was the clear debate winner.

"I think the momentum is onward and forward" for Obama, Chávez said.

University of Texas at El Paso political science Professor Greg Rocha said the debate wasn't a big victory for either candidate. Clinton, he said, did not hit the home run she needed to overcome Obama's momentum.

"It was a draw, for all intents and purposes," Rocha said.

Clinton and Obama are working to get the 2,025 delegates needed to win the party's nomination. Obama entered the debate with 1,358.5 delegates, compared with 1,264 for Clinton, according to the Associated Press.

A recent El Paso Times/News Channel 9 poll showed Demo cratic voters in the border city split between the two candidates. About 33 percent supported Clinton, and 32 percent favored Obama.

Bill Arballo, a retired manager for the international labor union American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, watched the debate with Clinton supporters at the campaign's El Paso headquarters.

"I respect Hillary's experience," said Arballo, 63.

Helen Edwards of the Upper Valley watched with Obama supporters at Chicago Street Food on North Mesa Street. She said she appreciated the Obama's inspirational oratory.

"If you don't inspire people, nothing is going to get done," said Edwards, 60.

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_8334644?so ... st_emailed

Her final line drew the most applause of the evening. Clinton said that, at the end of the election, she and Obama would be fine.

I just hope that we'll be able to say the same thing about the American people, and that's what this election should be about," Clinton said.





You know, she's right. This election should be all about the American people being fine once it's over. However, with her, Obama, or McCain in office, that's impossible,

I say they all drop out and let someone in there who actually gives a damn about the American people.

This morning after doing my daily work out I forced myself to watch some of the socialist (democrake) debate still being shown (of course thats all that show). The part I tuned in on of course was about immigration, the fence, and giving amnesty to all the illegal invaders. they sounded like a couple of parrots mimicking each other. after hearing those two Marxist want to bee's I feel violated and scared. Had just finished my cheerios and banana now they are curing as if they had been tossed into a hurricane.

Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama said during their Texas debate Thursday they would stop waves of immigration raids that divide families, they would encourage bilingualism, and they would put a pause on building a border fence.

This why we need to be prepared with other, legal tactics if the winds of legislation and US administration turn against us even further. I'm anticipating the 'No-Match letter" issue to be resolved by the US courts (next hearing is in March) but even if the government plan gets a go-ahead it could be reversed by administrative decision in 2009. I guess passing the SAVE Act would be a big win if achieved--I think Congress would have a tougher time repealing it, without a lot of time going by. Would liberal-left lawyers challenge the SAVE act in the Courts? Probably would.

That leaves the states and citizen group strategies. Many illegal aliens are in violation of federal Selective Service law and I have a plan now for exposing that situation. If the US can avoid a blanket amnesty there is probably so much dirty baggage that would work against a normalized legal immigrant status--if one can prove it. I wouldn't expect any government agency to be on the alert for violations and abuse, though. They are pretty much asleep at the wheel.

If Sen. Barak Obama refers to illegal aliens as citizens who are being treated as second class he is clearly in need of mental help.

Got this in an email:

If you missed the Texas debate last night between Hillary and Obama - it was an open border fest on the topic of illegal immigration.

Hillary said that raids leave babies without mothers. School children arrive home to parentless households. Obama said the hate speech about immigration is getting ugly. Both said they want comprehensive reform with a pathway to citizenship.

PLEASE call both the Obama and Hillary campaign headquarters and let them know your stance on illegal immigration!


HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT
email form
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/help/contact/
703.469.2008 (if you don't get a live person press 3)

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT
email form
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2
866-675-2008 (if you don't get a live person press 2)

Considering how many Americans were outraged by the amnesty bill, I'm surprised anyone would vote for either of these traitors.

Originally Posted by Captainron

That leaves the states and citizen group strategies. Many illegal aliens are in violation of federal Selective Service law and I have a plan now for exposing that situation. If the US can avoid a blanket amnesty there is probably so much dirty baggage that would work against a normalized legal immigrant status--if one can prove it.

Interesting point that I hadn't thought of.