Thread: Dems attack Republican as not tough enough on illegal immig.

Louisiana Congressional race. Thought this was interesting:
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Politico
Dems eye one last House seat pick-up
By ANDY BARR | 12/6/08 6:51 AM EST

Democrats have one more chance to add to their gains on Saturday, when voters head for to the polls to decide on a replacement for retiring GOP Rep. Jim McCrery in Louisiana's 4th congressional district.

Democrat Caddo Parish District Attorney Paul Carmouche faces off against Republican John Fleming and two self-identified "conservative" independent candidates in what is expected to be a close race. If Carmouche wins, it would leave the Democrats up 22 seats this cycle.

Little polling has been done recently, but a survey of 600 likely voters conducted for Carmouche by the Kitchens Group shortly after the November 4 election showed the Democrat leading Fleming by 10 points.

Indicted Congressman William Jefferson (D) is also defending his seat in Saturday's election, but is expected to win easily in a heavily Democratic district. Jefferson defeated his Democratic primary challenger in October.

The two races were delayed after primaries were pushed back to October due to the damage caused by Hurricane Gustav.

Camouche has tried to walk a delicate tightrope in courting support in a Republican-leaning district. The Democrat has linked himself closely to President-elect Barack Obama in hopes of increasing black turnout, while touting his endorsement by the Blue Dog Coalition to appeal to white conservative voters.

He's courted Obama's support, but has so far received little help from the president-elect. Obama cut a radio ad for the Democrat reminding voters to go the polls on Saturday, but has said little in support of Camouche and has not knocked his Republican opponent. Michelle Obama, meanwhile, is featured in a robocall in the district, but offers only lukewarm support in it.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe wrote a fundraising email for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee urging donors to contribute to Camouche's campaign, but did not send the e-mail to Obama's massive donor list.

Unlike the Georgia Senate runoff, where Obama staffers came to help Democrat Jim Martin with turnout and last-minute campaigning, Camouche has not been aided by Obama's team, prompting some complaints from Democratic operatives on the ground.

But even if Obama and his staff are not doing all they could, the DCCC has poured staff and resources into the race, spending more than $1.5 million in the district.

Democrats have attacked Fleming on class lines, painting the businessman as wealthy and out of touch, and also as not tough enough on illegal immigration.

Fleming in turn has aggressively tried to paint Camouche as too liberal, hitting him on tax cuts and gun rights during the race's only debate, on Thursday. The National Republican Congressional Committee is running ads in the district accusing the Democrat of being soft on crime as part of a $950,000 investment in the race.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has thrown his weight behind Fleming, cutting a television ad for the Republican and campaigning with him. Vice President Dick Cheney has also come to the district to raise funds for the Republican.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16256.html

Democrats have attacked Fleming on class lines, painting the businessman as wealthy and out of touch, and also as not tough enough on illegal immigration.

They have GOT to be kidding! The majority of democrats are "out of touch"!

Indicted Congressman William Jefferson (D) is also defending his seat in Saturday's election, but is expected to win easily in a heavily Democratic district.

Rep. Jefferson is the guy who was caught red handed (caught on video tape making transaction) with $90,000 in bribe money in his freezer. The money was stuffed in his freezer, wrapped in $10,000 packs. The money was given to him by an undercover FBI agent. All this happened in 2006. Why is this guy still in the U.S. Congress and not in jail? From what I understand his trial will be held in 2009. One things for sure, justice definitely isn't swift when a U.S. Congressman is involved!

Another point needs to be made here. Why are his constituents still supporting him? The man is a crook and was caught red handed with the goods. Is it because he represents a district comprised of mostly minorities (Jefferson is black)? I've heard it said that over 90% of the black population voted for Obama. I'm sorry but this is very concerning to me. Since when is it good for the country to elect a person based mainly on his (or her) skin color?

Here's what the Republican candidate John Fleming says about illegal immigration on his website (note his Democratic opponent Paul Carmouche does not mention anything about this topic on his website under "on the issues"). Judge for yourself who's better:
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Freedom. Vast numbers of men and women have died to obtain it and to keep it.

If there is any single word that describes America, it is this: Freedom. Freedom to worship God. Freedom to vote. Freedom to speak one's opinions. Freedom to own private property.

The human soul yearns for freedom. God has placed in the heart of every human being the desire to be free.

It is this yearning for freedom that motivated brave colonists and pioneers to overcome enormous obstacles to carve a new nation on a continent far from home.

The beacon of freedom has attracted millions of immigrants to America and has instilled in them the desire to become Americans . . . to learn English . . . to build a new life for themselves and their families an American life, and to eventually become American citizens.

Yes, we have always been a nation of immigrants.

But today we face the challenge of a new influx of people from other countries who are coming here illegally. By definition, if it is illegal, then it is not immigration, because immigration is an orderly, legal process.

What we are confronted with today is an invasion by illegal aliens.

Besides the illegality and the criminality of the situation, there is a new motive for coming to America. The motive is not freedom in the classic sense of the word, nor is it a desire to be fully American. The underlying motive of illegal aliens is economic. It is about money, making it and also sending it out the country.

Illegal immigration is creating stress on our education, health care, and social services systems - all at the expense of America taxpayers.

Additionally, taxpayers are saddled with the soaring costs of prosecuting criminal activity by illegal aliens and for jail and prison costs of illegals convicted of crimes.

As your Congressman, I will lead the fight to stop the inflow of illegal aliens.

I will immediately sponsor legislation to:

Secure our borders by all means necessary.
Ban the possibility of giving Amnesty to illegal aliens.
Require illegal aliens to return to their home countries and allow them to return to the United States only after they comply with immigration law.
Make English the official language of the United States.
Eliminate the spending of tax dollars on benefits and services for illegal aliens.
Deport illegal aliens who commit felonies.
Cut off federal funds to states and cities that declare themselves "sanctuaries" for illegal aliens.
Impose serious fines on businesses found to knowingly, willing hire illegal aliens. If we cut off the jobs that are the economic motive for crossing our borders illegally, the illegal aliens will self-deport.
Discontinue the practice of granting automatic American citizenship to babies born here, but whose parents are illegal aliens.

We will always welcome legal immigrants to the United States. We will welcome their willingness to work. We will welcome the positive contributions that they can make to our society. We will encourage them to purse the American Dream. And when they become citizens, we will gladly call them Our Fellow Americans.

http://www.flemingforcongress.com/illeg ... ation.html

Originally Posted by Populist

Here's what the Republican candidate John Fleming says about illegal immigration on his website (note his Democratic opponent Paul Carmouche does not mention anything about this topic on his website under "on the issues"). Judge for yourself who's better:
----

Freedom. Vast numbers of men and women have died to obtain it and to keep it.

If there is any single word that describes America, it is this: Freedom. Freedom to worship God. Freedom to vote. Freedom to speak one's opinions. Freedom to own private property.

The human soul yearns for freedom. God has placed in the heart of every human being the desire to be free.

It is this yearning for freedom that motivated brave colonists and pioneers to overcome enormous obstacles to carve a new nation on a continent far from home.

The beacon of freedom has attracted millions of immigrants to America and has instilled in them the desire to become Americans . . . to learn English . . . to build a new life for themselves and their families an American life, and to eventually become American citizens.

Yes, we have always been a nation of immigrants.

But today we face the challenge of a new influx of people from other countries who are coming here illegally. By definition, if it is illegal, then it is not immigration, because immigration is an orderly, legal process.

What we are confronted with today is an invasion by illegal aliens.

Besides the illegality and the criminality of the situation, there is a new motive for coming to America. The motive is not freedom in the classic sense of the word, nor is it a desire to be fully American. The underlying motive of illegal aliens is economic. It is about money, making it and also sending it out the country.

Illegal immigration is creating stress on our education, health care, and social services systems - all at the expense of America taxpayers.

Additionally, taxpayers are saddled with the soaring costs of prosecuting criminal activity by illegal aliens and for jail and prison costs of illegals convicted of crimes.

As your Congressman, I will lead the fight to stop the inflow of illegal aliens.

I will immediately sponsor legislation to:

Secure our borders by all means necessary.
Ban the possibility of giving Amnesty to illegal aliens.
Require illegal aliens to return to their home countries and allow them to return to the United States only after they comply with immigration law.
Make English the official language of the United States.
Eliminate the spending of tax dollars on benefits and services for illegal aliens.
Deport illegal aliens who commit felonies.
Cut off federal funds to states and cities that declare themselves "sanctuaries" for illegal aliens.
Impose serious fines on businesses found to knowingly, willing hire illegal aliens. If we cut off the jobs that are the economic motive for crossing our borders illegally, the illegal aliens will self-deport.
Discontinue the practice of granting automatic American citizenship to babies born here, but whose parents are illegal aliens.

We will always welcome legal immigrants to the United States. We will welcome their willingness to work. We will welcome the positive contributions that they can make to our society. We will encourage them to purse the American Dream. And when they become citizens, we will gladly call them Our Fellow Americans.

http://www.flemingforcongress.com/illeg ... ation.html

I'd say this is the guy we want representing America!

Fleming is noted by Numbers as a "True Immigration Reform Candidates "
I sure hope he wins!

Originally Posted by butterbean

Originally Posted by Populist

Here's what the Republican candidate John Fleming says about illegal immigration on his website (note his Democratic opponent Paul Carmouche does not mention anything about this topic on his website under "on the issues"). Judge for yourself who's better:
----

Freedom. Vast numbers of men and women have died to obtain it and to keep it.

If there is any single word that describes America, it is this: Freedom. Freedom to worship God. Freedom to vote. Freedom to speak one's opinions. Freedom to own private property.

The human soul yearns for freedom. God has placed in the heart of every human being the desire to be free.

It is this yearning for freedom that motivated brave colonists and pioneers to overcome enormous obstacles to carve a new nation on a continent far from home.

The beacon of freedom has attracted millions of immigrants to America and has instilled in them the desire to become Americans . . . to learn English . . . to build a new life for themselves and their families an American life, and to eventually become American citizens.

Yes, we have always been a nation of immigrants.

But today we face the challenge of a new influx of people from other countries who are coming here illegally. By definition, if it is illegal, then it is not immigration, because immigration is an orderly, legal process.

What we are confronted with today is an invasion by illegal aliens.

Besides the illegality and the criminality of the situation, there is a new motive for coming to America. The motive is not freedom in the classic sense of the word, nor is it a desire to be fully American. The underlying motive of illegal aliens is economic. It is about money, making it and also sending it out the country.

Illegal immigration is creating stress on our education, health care, and social services systems - all at the expense of America taxpayers.

Additionally, taxpayers are saddled with the soaring costs of prosecuting criminal activity by illegal aliens and for jail and prison costs of illegals convicted of crimes.

As your Congressman, I will lead the fight to stop the inflow of illegal aliens.

I will immediately sponsor legislation to:

Secure our borders by all means necessary.
Ban the possibility of giving Amnesty to illegal aliens.
Require illegal aliens to return to their home countries and allow them to return to the United States only after they comply with immigration law.
Make English the official language of the United States.
Eliminate the spending of tax dollars on benefits and services for illegal aliens.
Deport illegal aliens who commit felonies.
Cut off federal funds to states and cities that declare themselves "sanctuaries" for illegal aliens.
Impose serious fines on businesses found to knowingly, willing hire illegal aliens. If we cut off the jobs that are the economic motive for crossing our borders illegally, the illegal aliens will self-deport.
Discontinue the practice of granting automatic American citizenship to babies born here, but whose parents are illegal aliens.

We will always welcome legal immigrants to the United States. We will welcome their willingness to work. We will welcome the positive contributions that they can make to our society. We will encourage them to purse the American Dream. And when they become citizens, we will gladly call them Our Fellow Americans.

http://www.flemingforcongress.com/illeg ... ation.html

I'd say this is the guy we want representing America!

Yes and as SOS said Numbersusa rates him high.

We had endorsed Flemming this year and marked him down as "WON"

what happened with this race?

http://www.alipac.us/content-33.html

W

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

We had endorsed Flemming this year and marked him down as "WON"

what happened with this race?

http://www.alipac.us/content-33.html

W

According to the Southern Political Report (SPR), this election was held in December "because last summer, Hurricane Gustav forced state officials to postpone party primaries, which affected the dates for runoffs and General Elections as well."

Also, this statement from the SPR alludes to why perhaps the Democrats attacked Fleming on immigration: "Fleming is consistently conservative, though he did catch some flak for a somewhat pragmatic comment about some businesses needing immigrant labor."

Anyway, extremely close race but at this point looks like Fleming won (although there could be a recount), which does appear to be good news based on his ABI rating and what's on his website.

http://www.southernpoliticalreport.com/ ... 4_686.aspx

Fleming leads razor-close election for 4th Congressional District seat; Carmouche won't concede
Created: December 6, 2008 10:10 PM
Modified: December 6, 2008 11:46 PM


Republicans apparently held on to a reliably GOP congressional seat Saturday night as Dr. John Fleming narrowly led Democrat Paul Carmouche in Northwest Louisiana's 4th Congressional District race.

Fleming received 48 percent of the vote to 47.7 percent for Carmouche, according to complete but unofficial returns. Fleming led by 356 votes out of more than 92,000 cast. Two independent candidates got the rest of the votes.

Fleming declared victory but Carmouche did not concede defeat.

Carmouche said he wants to see what happens when voting machines are rechecked on Tuesday. He said he also wanted to make sure that all provisional ballots -- paper ballots cast when there is a problem at a polling place -- have been counted.

The winner succeeds Republican Congressman Jim McCrery, who decided not to seek re-election after 20 years in the House of Representatives. He take office in January.

Fleming is a Minden physician and businessman, and the father of four.

Carmouche led for most of the night. Fleming got a late rush of votes as precincts from Bossier Parish came in late

http://www.ktbs.com/news/Fleming-leads- ... ede-21226/