http://www.sedaliademocrat.com/News/308147943263765.htm

From the Sunday, July 30, 2006 issue:

Talent talks border security


By Dennis Rich

The Sedalia democrat

Republican Sen. Jim Talent played to a supportive crowd on Saturday as he discussed his plan for border security and his Democratic challenger.

A group of about 50 people turned out to hear Mr. Talent speak for about 45 minutes at the Pettis County Courthouse. During his speech, he outlined his plan for border security, which stresses an increase in border-patrol agents and the construction of a wall along parts of the Mexico-U.S. border. After his speech, Mr. Talent met with attendees one-on-one to discuss specific issues.

"The truth of the matter is the American people have been very generous over the years with their legal immigration rules.

This is a nation of immigrants ... but it's also a nation of laws, and as a sovereign nation we have the right to decide who can and can not come into the United States of America," Mr. Talent said to a round of applause.

Mr. Talent went on to say that under the current system "it is very, very difficult to get into the country legally ... at the same time it is very easy to come into the country unlawfully if you cross over the southern border, and that's where the problem is."

Mr. Talent said that his plan differs from proposals offered by Claire McCaskill, his opponent in the Nov. 7 general election. Mr. Talent said Ms. McCaskill opposes the construction of a border wall and favors amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Adrianne Marsh, spokeswoman for the McCaskill campaign, said by telephone from St. Louis that Mr. Talent's comments were "a severe distortion of what (Ms. McCaskill) said."

Ms. Marsh said that Ms. McCaskill has stated publicly that she does not support amnesty. She said that Ms. McCaskill does support the idea of a border wall but that "she doesn't see it as the most effective option."

Ms. Marsh said the emphasis of Ms. McCaskill's plan was on "getting tough on the employers who employ illegal immigrants with increased fines and penalties."

After the speech, Harley Law, a Republican from La Monte, said that he was "for everything Talent said."

"It's kind of sad those that come in illegally can get amnesty, but those abiding the law can't even get in," Mr. Law said.

Mr. Law said he plans to support Mr. Talent's bid for re-election.

LeRoy Harrison, of rural northwest Pettis County, is a Democrat who also plans to support Mr. Talent in the election.

"We just don't need all these illegal immigrants in here. I like the wall. I like what he said. It's something that has to be done," Mr. Harrison said.