Thread: Shuler's remarks drawing criticism

My thought: I don't whether McCain made those calls as Shuler alleged, but McCain still has much work to do to restore his credibility on illegal immigration. And as far as I know, McCain still has not issued a strong statement supporting SAVE and urging both the GOP and Dems to sign the discharge petition.
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BlueRidgeNow.com
Mar 29, 2008
Shuler's remarks drawing criticism
By James Shea
Times-News Staff Writer

Candidates for the Republican nomination in the 11th Congressional District slammed Rep. Heath Shuler for comments he made at a speech this week in Hendersonville.

Shuler, D-Waynesville, spoke to the Rotary Club on Tuesday and claimed Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain was blocking his immigration bill from getting a vote on the House floor.

Former Henderson County Republican Party Chairman Spence Campbell, who is seeking the right to face Shuler in the November general election, did not believe Shuler's version of the story.

"Who is he kidding? His motivation in saying this is purely political and designed to try to attack the Republican presidential nominee," Campbell said in a released statement. "He does not want what is best for America or this district. He wants what is best for the liberal Democrats in Washington."

Shuler wrote the Security and Verification through Enforcement Act, which increases funding for border security and requires more stringent residency status verification by employers.

Republicans in the House tried to force a vote on the bill recently through a process called a discharge petition. With the rule, a vote can be called if a majority of representatives signed the petition. Shuler claimed that McCain called Republican representatives, telling them to not sign it.

Another candidate in the Republican race, Highlands attorney John Armor, also weighed in on Shuler's statements, blaming the Democrats for the bill not getting a vote on the House floor.

"Those reluctant Democrats who co-sponsored the bill but haven't signed the discharge petition have no reason to listen to any requests from Sen. John McCain, a Republican," Armor said in a released statement. "They have every incentive to listen to demands from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat."

Carl Mumpower said he did not want to say much on the issue but believes Shuler was off base with the comments.

"To shift the blame to a senator is missing the point," Mumpower said.

Shuler's statements have sparked controversy in Washington. The Republican Congressional Committee doubted the validity of McCain's involvement, and McCain's office denied playing any role in the discharge petition process.

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/200 ... 0/FEATURES

"He does not want what is best for America or this district. He wants what is best for the liberal Democrats in Washington."

I've been a CONSERVATIVE Republican my whole life and I'm not sure I believe that comment. I have seen and heard enough interviews to convince me that Shuler has in fact been representing his district on the illegal immigrant issue. He probably is a typical Democrat on other issues, however, I believe he stands with us on cracking down on illegals.

Originally Posted by MW

"He does not want what is best for America or this district. He wants what is best for the liberal Democrats in Washington."

I've been a CONSERVATIVE Republican my whole life and I'm not sure I believe that comment. I have seen and heard enough interviews to convince me that Shuler has in fact been representing his district on the illegal immigrant issue. He probably is a typical Democrat on other issues, however, I believe he stands with us on cracking down on illegals.

I agree! The last dem I voted for President was in my first election, H.H.H. But in the future my vote will be based on one issue, the invasion of the United States by the ILLEGALS, if we lose this fight all else is lost.