Thread: Some GOP candidates still tack right on immigration

Some GOP candidates still tack right on immigration despite McCain’s rise
By Walter Alarkon
Posted: 03/03/08 06:44 PM [ET]

Republican congressional candidates are taking tough stances on illegal immigration even though they know that Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidential run could complicate their races this fall.

Lou Barletta is one of them. The Hazleton, Pa., mayor hopes to unseat 12-term Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D) by highlighting a get-tough immigration stand. Barletta signed an ordinance that made English his city’s official language and allowed fines against landlords who rent out to undocumented residents. He now wants to come to Washington to fight efforts that would grant amnesty to immigrants who are in the country illegally. He laments that his party’s national leaders, McCain and President Bush, last year backed such a bill.

“There was no question I was disappointed in how they are handling illegal immigration, because of the effect … I see it having all across communities across the country,â€

Barletta HAS to win. Does anyone know how that race is looking? He is JUST the person we need in Congress to stand with the other outstanding leaders this country does have.

And thank God we have them.