Thread: Immigration divides GOP pair

Immigration divides GOP pair
By THOMAS BEAUMONT • tbeaumont@dmreg.com • May 31, 2008


Two of the three Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Iowa had differing outlooks Friday on how to solve the federal immigration problem as they debated issues before Tuesday's primary election.

Former state Rep. George Eichhorn said Congress needs to appropriate more money to enforce immigration laws, characterizing the flood of undocumented immigrants into the country as a product of negligence.

"The bottom line is we have to be a society that respects our laws and enforces our laws," said Eichhorn, a lawyer from Stratford. "Congress has not put forth the resources to enforce our laws."


Marion businessman Christopher Reed stressed the need to complete a fence across the U.S. border with Mexico and proposed rounding up illegal immigrants and returning them to their countries of origin.

"What we need to do is build the fence, fortify it and defend it," Reed said.

The debate was sponsored by the Polk County Republican Party and held at the studios of Iowa Public Television in Johnston.

Eichhorn, Reed and Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje are vying in the primary for the chance to face four-term incumbent Democrat Tom Harkin. Rathje did not accept the invitation to the debate.

Reed and Eichhorn agreed on making tax cuts enacted under President Bush permanent, describing their repeal or expiration as a massive tax increase. They also generally agreed on the president's course on fighting the Iraq war and in pursuing terrorists.

However, they disagreed philosophically on whether the federal government should make English the official language of the United States. Reed said yes; Eichhorn said English already is effectively the nation's official language.

Better-known Iowa Republicans declined to compete against Harkin, who had more than $3.7 million in campaign contributions as of May 14.

Rathje had $7,700, and Eichhorn about $4,100. No report is on file for Reed.

Streaming video of the debate is online at iptv.org. The debate won't be broadcast again on television.





http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/p ... /1001/NEWS

I hope Iowa folks here at Alipac get on the ball and work for Reed. If we don't start working for republican candidates, we might as well start learning Spanish.