Lindsey Graham on amnesty: “This is no longer about immigration”
posted at 11:04 am on June 13, 2007 by Allahpundit
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This from the same “statesman” who squealed at the start of this miserable betrayal, “This is what my ninth grade teacher told me government is all about and I finally got to experience it.” Twelve million people legalized, border crossings reduced by a paltry 25%, and this tool’s acting like he just won Model UN.
And now, at last, rock bottom:
TODAY CO-HOST MEREDITH VIEIRA: When you went home recently you were at a GOP meeting and you got booed over immigration. There are a lot of people in a lot of states — conservatives — who think this bill is bad and they see this as a litmus test.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM [R-S.C.]: Well here’s what I believe. This is a bill that’s a million per cent better than the current system. I mentioned working with Ted Kennedy and I got booed. The lady in your piece earlier said no compromise. I’m a Republican conservative who believes my country is at risk by not solving immigration. I’m a member of the United States Senate who believes it’s my job to work with Democrats to do hard things. This is no longer about immigration. Can your Congress, can your Senate, come together to do things that one party can’t do itself? I think the answer is yes.
We’ve heard the flip side of this logic before, from amnesty-shilling reporters trying to paint the failure of cloture last week as some sort of omnibus indictment of America’s political culture. Pass this bill, my friends, if only to prove that our democracy still works. That’s the subtext of Graham’s comment here. It speaks volumes about the merits of the substance of the bill that he’s now trying it to sell it on procedural grounds.
No results, no compromise. Simple as that. Exit question: With this, does Graham finally supplant McCain as the loathsome face of conservative amnesty? When he was elected he was but the learner; now he is the master.
Update: Meanwhile, Jeff Jacoby swigs the Kool-Aid and whitewashes the Berlin Wall.
Update: Even the 25% reduction is wildly optimistic, says Jeff Sessions:
[Y]ou think there will still be illegal immigrants coming across the border?
Oh, absolutely … They predicted that we’d have a 25-percent reduction in illegality at the border. But we would have a substantial increase in visa over-stays, because we have a lot more people coming to the country on temporary visas.
He figures the actual number is closer to 13%.
Update: I heard about this last night but a storm knocked out my cable so we didn’t get it. I’m glad RCP did. Here are your Fox News all-stars, warmly professing their new admiration for the most loathsome amnesty face of all. Click the image to watch.
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Of course, passing this amnesty bill would effectively prove that democracy is no longer functional,or at least on its way there.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 11:08 AM
The other day I received a request for another donation, from the RNC. I sent it back today – no money, but a message. Very similar to the one that Michelle’s reader sent.
amerpundit on June 13, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Ironically, the opposite case could probably be better made – that if the bill fails, democracy has functioned, as, the will of the people has been accomplished.
Either way though, it overlooks substance for, as you say, procedure.
nailinmyeye on June 13, 2007 at 11:08 AM
You’re right Lindsey, it has gone beyond the immigration bill. It’s also about your condescending, arrogant attitude and behavior.
rplat on June 13, 2007 at 11:10 AM
50/50, but Graham is working hard to overtake the number one spot.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 11:10 AM
You’re right, Lindsay, this is no longer about immigration. It’s about can your Congress, can your Senate, come together in a major effort to snooker the American people. And we know the answer to that one.
Connie on June 13, 2007 at 11:13 AM
Actually, I don’t want all of you “getting along and working together.” Why have a party system if everyone agrees with everyone?
In my eyes, you’re no longer a “US” senator, but a Mexican senator.
moonsbreath on June 13, 2007 at 11:17 AM
This bill is bad, and works fine as a litmus test for me. As far as Graham as the master now, I don’t recall Vader crying.
Spirit of 1776 on June 13, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Oh, no. Lindsay won’t get off that easily. No matter how many hysterical fits he may be inclined to throw, he will forever be remembered as St. John’s bitch. Consider, if you will, his effete servility to McVain on other betrayals, such as torture and the Gang of 14.
I think Lindsay’s just earned himself a primary.
Kid from Brooklyn on June 13, 2007 at 11:19 AM
After reading this it makes the rest of Jeff Jacoby’s tripe meaningless.
Capitalist Infidel on June 13, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Lindsay Freakin Graham.
The same guy who wondered whose cruel idea was it for the word “lisp” to have an “s” in it.
Someone should do due diligence and check out just how many of those in Politics and the Media who are pushing this open borders fiasco live in gated communities.
Hell, I’ve seen Bush’s place up in Kennebunkport and he won’t let you or I within a mile of it, much less illegal aliens. You know, he probably doesn’t see a difference.
there it is on June 13, 2007 at 11:23 AM
This is a very simple idea Lindsey. Why you and big government Republicans do not get it… I will never understand.
We don’t trust you. You and every other soft conservative can’t and will not stop the illegals from crossing.
First:
1. Build a huge wall… 2000 miles long. Not 500. 40 feet deep, 40 feet high.
2. Beef up border security by 10k men.
3. Make it a felony to come into this country illegally.
After you have convinced us you can stop the border chaos, then we will consider reworking the immigration system.
We have probably between 20 – 40 million illegal aliens in this country. None of them should get citizenship for breaking our laws.
1. Create a temporary worker program.
2. Create a national database for all illegals
3. Create a tamper proof temp worker card.
4. Make it law that if any individual that is the US illegal, they have 90 days to register themselves or they face felony charges and will never be able to apply for citizenship again.
5. Make them pay fines.
6. Develop a path to citizenship where they have to have a job for x amounts of years, learn fluent English, and not get in trouble with the law.
It is not hard Lindsey Graham. If you don’t get that, then we need new leadership.
Specter, Hagel, Graham, and McCain need to go. Its about time those states choose a new conservative to represent them.
msipes on June 13, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Oh, and BTW, the Berlin wall was designed to keep East Germans imprisoned, not to keep West Germans from coming in, so it bears no comparison to the right of a sovereign nation to secure its border.
So, President Bush…if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the citizens of the United States, if you seek security from jihadi extremism; come to this border.
Mr. Bush, close this border.
Mr. Bush, BUILD….UP….THIS….WALL!
Kid from Brooklyn on June 13, 2007 at 11:28 AM
No, but he does become McCain’s TweddleDee.
After fred? fails to get nominated for POTUS, he should run against Graham and take his senate seat.
csdeven on June 13, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Amen! I’m sure they do live in gated communities.
Statistics bear out what the illegal invasion does to communities. In my own community, the crime rate has tripled in the last 7 years. The only thing that has happened in my area in 7 years is the influx of illegals and Hispanic gangs.
moonsbreath on June 13, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Specter, Hagel, Graham, and McCain need to go. Its about time those states choose a
newtrue conservative to represent them.msipes on June 13, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Fixed it
conservativecaveman on June 13, 2007 at 11:37 AM
God, Graham is as much a hysterical crying tool as Andrew Sullivan anymore, isn’t he?
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Lindsay “WWD” Lindsay. WWD (Work With Democrats) is not your job. Your job is to represent your constituents even if that means you stand alone.
Hint to WWD. Next time you run for Senator, please include in your platform your WWD and especially the work with Teddy “Mary Jo Kopechne was unavailable for comment” Kennedy.
Wade on June 13, 2007 at 11:42 AM
MEREDITH VIEIRA is a TOOL!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on June 13, 2007 at 11:47 AM
We are at a critical moment; the Political Class must be taught the lesson that we were all taught in elementary school. The public rules. Not the politicians.
Labamigo on June 13, 2007 at 11:47 AM
Bravo AP.
I don’t know, but I do know I now loathe this man almost as much as Harry Reid (ok, maybe now even as much).
TheBigOldDog on June 13, 2007 at 11:51 AM
With regard to responding to a request from the GOP for a donation, DON’T JUST SEND THEM A NOTE! Send them a check for $.01 (That’s $00 1/100) with STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION NOW on the note line. It will drive the point home as they lose money by having to process checks for 1 cent!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on June 13, 2007 at 11:54 AM
In all seriousness, I loathe him more. I have extremely low expectations for Harry Reid, and he hasn’t disappointed me yet. Graham on the other hand has disappointed me a great deal.
Laura on June 13, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I have a better idea. South Carolina can vote this sorry ass out of a job, that will prove democracy works.
Wade on June 13, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I wonder what you guys would be doing if there wasn’t a bill on the table.
tomas on June 13, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on June 13, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Better yet – send the check for 1 cent, wait a while, and then ask for it back. Double the processing, double the fun!
Laura on June 13, 2007 at 11:56 AM
I’m sick and tired of McGrahamnesty.
amerpundit on June 13, 2007 at 11:57 AM
tomas on June 13, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Same thing I’m doing anyway – packing a box with beanie babies, baby wipes, and other odds and ends for those people you think we don’t care about.
Laura on June 13, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Way to work that little MSM lie in, Meredith. Keep thinking it’s only those mean conservatives that oppose this bill. It speaks volumes that the Dem presidential candidates have stayed away from this issue like kryptonite, even during primary season.
Dudley Smith on June 13, 2007 at 11:58 AM
What we did before this bill was on the table.
amerpundit on June 13, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Good point
TheBigOldDog on June 13, 2007 at 11:58 AM
You can’t impugn a man’s motives or integrity once he employs the almighty bellwether of truth:
I don’t question his patriotism, just his math skillz.
Ok, ok, I question both.
Freelancer on June 13, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Last time I checked, we aren’t a democracy…
We are a Representative Republic and this moron isn’t representing us…
Tim Burton on June 13, 2007 at 12:00 PM
I don’t think so. You waited till you lame ducked your president after Social Security and now you want him to make changes that are going to be very tough to install. Even if he gives you whatever you want.
right or wrong isn’t the issue. You guys were lazy and waited till it might be too late. You can complain all you want, but you are as guilty as anyone.
tomas on June 13, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Re: Jacoby-The Berlin Wall thing is disgusting, but can I just point out this:
So much of this “debate” on this issue–and many other issues, I guess–is crosstalk and a refusal to face the positions of the other side. I’m not just talking about bad faith, I mean a willful ignorance of specific arguments.
Of course the illegality is not all that illegal imm. critics focus on or care about, especially the most prominent ones like Dobbs and Buchanan. Of course they confront the question of mass import of cheap labor, of whether it’s even true that there’s a demand for it, etc. How can Jacoby be so obtuse about this? How can he not be aware of–never mind whether it’s right or wrong–the argument that mass low-skilled immigration is a problem, legal or not?
Alex K on June 13, 2007 at 12:03 PM
At this point, I think Lohan would be better than Graham. At least I would be able to watch the clips.
jeffNWV on June 13, 2007 at 12:05 PM
I’m sick of you. You don’t present an argument to represent a view, you just argue for the sake of it. What would we do if this bill wasn’t on the table? Take off your tinfoil hat for a minute, and look through the archives on this blog. Look between the end of last year’s bill and early May of this year.
We attacked the President for this last year. “Changes that are going to be very tough to install”? You mean like a border fence? An immigration system that deports criminals? Longer than one day for a background check? Those aren’t difficult to implement. They’re supposed to have been in place already. Those aren’t new ideas. We were supposed to have had them all along. No one’s actually made an effort to do so.
amerpundit on June 13, 2007 at 12:08 PM
Trolling the parking lot at Home Depot to lure illegals into pit traps filled knee-deep with acid. Torturing small animals to death and making hand puppets out of their corpses. Drinking the blood of newborns. You know…normal conservative stuff.
James on June 13, 2007 at 12:10 PM
That was the most incoherent, fragmented, nonsensical comment I have ever read. Is there a point in that rambling?
Capitalist Infidel on June 13, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Democracy is working just fine: The Amnesty Bill is a betrayal of the American people.
The only reason GOP representatives are gushing favorable about Ted Kennedy is that he is helping push for amnesty. The Left anticipates more political power, the Ferengi GOP candidates favor wealthy and corporate interests who desire profits at the expense of the American people.
The focus should be on the brave representatives who are resisting this betrayal. They should be getting our full fledged support.
omegaram on June 13, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Okay, I have to single out the Ted Kennedy love too. It should say volumes about the open immigration wing of the Republican party that a Republican publicist like Barnes would choose to gush over Kennedy rather than give any credence at all to even the most obvious of his own party’s criticisms of unregulated immigration.
That quaking soundbite moment that Kondracke loves so much is usually the most vile, demogogic part of Kennedy’s spiel, usually employing one of the big workhorses of leftist demogogery such as racebaiting or class warfare that has been most successful at impairing conservatism in moder times. I guess Kondracke can like that if he wants too but Barnes sure is a c@ck for agreeing on the subject overall.
Also it should be obvious but once again Hume has a 100% mass immigration panel. Fair and…
Alex K on June 13, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Sorry my uncouth word got highlighted there…Tried to soften it with a symbol and it backfired…
Alex K on June 13, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Rush’s next segment is going to be about Lindsay Grahamnesty. Should be good.
Wade on June 13, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Exactly.
Spirit of 1776 on June 13, 2007 at 12:19 PM
Thanks for linking to that video from Special Report, I actually planned to email you today if you didn’t get that up, as I caught the reairring and was disgusted as I watched them, and elected Republicans nursing off of Ted Kennedy’s man breasts (from which I’m told, straight scotch flows).
RightWinged on June 13, 2007 at 12:27 PM
They’re required to do that five times, in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
Kid from Brooklyn on June 13, 2007 at 12:37 PM
Lindsey Graham works with Teddy Kennedy the same way Congressional pages worked with Mark Foley. I can’t decide which I’m more disturbed by.
Zetterson on June 13, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Definitely could have used Krauthammer’s imput during that Fox All Stars segment. Those three speaking unopposed and unashamedly about their love for Teddy Kopechney were making me sick.
Zetterson on June 13, 2007 at 12:52 PM
(a little sarcastic editing on my part)
Connie on June 13, 2007 at 1:10 PM
Pay attention. Obviously, you guys weren’t paying as much attention before this bill. Can you understand that. You are as much to blame for our immigration problems as anyone.
That isn’t a view that is a fact. No one likes to have the finger pointed at them as is obvious by your reactions. Just remember you didn’t do enough, soon enough.
tomas on June 13, 2007 at 1:22 PM
Fox News does whatever the GOP wants. Mickey Kaus was right.
PRCalDude on June 13, 2007 at 1:24 PM
Here in N’awlins (since Katrina, we’ve had an influx of illegals estimated at over 30k) we just use regular water, but with gators. It’s cheaper, and plus, it feeds the gators. Win-win!
And James, get that new keyboard out in the mail to me ASAP, would you? As the coffee dries, my keys are starting to stick. :-)
Laura on June 13, 2007 at 1:27 PM
Tomas is the guy who never points a finger at himself.
moonsbreath on June 13, 2007 at 1:29 PM
What on earth are you talking about Thomas? A view that is. A well thought out view that isn’t. A fact that isn’t.
Zetterson on June 13, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Okay, something weird – I tried to call my Senator (Landreiu) and was connected to Lindsey Graham’s office instead. “Press 1 to leave your opinion of legislation” and then you can leave a message. They must be getting overwhelmed with calls – or has this been his phone setup all along?
Laura on June 13, 2007 at 1:57 PM
Well, I just left myself a nasty voicemail message and sent myself a stern letter. That’ll teach me.
reaganaut on June 13, 2007 at 2:01 PM
The next thing I want to see from you is an explanation of just what YOU did. Otherwise STFD AND STFU……
News2Use on June 13, 2007 at 2:09 PM
Even if that were true – and it certainly is NOT, in my case and that of most other people I know – what is your solution NOW other than to whine that we should just suck it up and let this travesty pass without complaint?
Oh yeah – you have none, or you would have mentioned it in one of the numerous threads that you’ve posted the same “too late, and you don’t care about the troops” BS.
Laura on June 13, 2007 at 2:32 PM
Please I don’t want to know where he keeps the soda!
kiakjones on June 13, 2007 at 3:36 PM
Bye Bye Lindsey
wryteacher on June 13, 2007 at 3:51 PM
My plan is probably as tough as yours as I have posted, but I don’t like the attitude I have seen lately.
tomas on June 13, 2007 at 3:55 PM
This had my heart beating waaaay too fast for good health and stability. Kid, you said it to perfection, and ahead of me wishing to do the same:
Kid from Brooklyn on June 13, 2007 at 11:28 AM
How ignorant of anyone and how insulting to compare this to the Berlin wall, especially by the ‘intelligentia’.
Still, the #1 challenge and countermeasure to this insurgency (and it’s way more than 13 million) is not a wall. It’s protecting the borders by any/all means and punishing the employers who hire this illegal force.
I drove back from LA this a.m. and listened, which I rarely do, to Ruch Limbaugh. He called Graham “Lindsey Gramnesty” and said that “if Graham works to enable the liberals, and Kennedy/Schumer work toward the same goal, then who works for us?”.
I never liked this boy – he comes across aloof, has a Napoleonic complex and a superiority one too. To him we’re an inconvenience. Make sure he know how the door is closed form the outside. Only remedy.
Entelechy on June 13, 2007 at 3:58 PM
How will pro illegal alien pundits spin Linsey Grahams devastating defeat in the 2008 primary? “See I told you Republicans were racist.”
Then how will they spin pro illegal alien Democrats losing in general elections? The fact is the Democrat base is against this bill. And the MSM won’t put them on television saying so. Swing states will elect Republicans if Republicans repudiate and cast out their pro illegal alien candidates in the primaries.
Theworldisnotenough on June 13, 2007 at 4:02 PM
If you’re from SC, do something to send a message to your ‘representative’ – dump Lindsey Graham.
Entelechy on June 13, 2007 at 4:04 PM
I’m a Canadian and I really have no standing to comment on your immigration debate. That said, I would like to put in my two pesos worth, as an outsider looking in.
1. As a Canadian, I believe that the only country that I have a RIGHT to be in is Canada. It would be completely arrogant of me to think that, if, for some reason, I sneaked into the US, that this would give me a right to stay there. The same applies to anyone else.
2. I work in South America. I can assure you that in order to work here I have to have my paperwork in order. I do not have the right to stay here without legal authorization. If I asserted that my mere presence here gave me an inherent right to remain, the authorities would laugh at me. Rightfully so.
3. In regard to the 12,000,000 illegal immigrants now reportedly in the US, one argument in favour of the amnesty is that it would be impossible to deport them. Fair enough, but that is a completely irrelevant argument…a straw man, if you will. The reality is that the 12,000,000 (or however many there are) went to the US voluntarily. They often paid money to do so. Why? Because they could find work “under the table”. It was the lack of prosecution of employers that allowed the demand to grow. It seems quite logical to me that, if the authorities concentrated their enforcement efforts on employers illegally hiring the “undocumented”, the pool of jobs would dry up very quickly. Once the job market dried up, I suspect that the illegals would leave the same way they came in…voluntarily. No need to deport them.
Just a few Canuck thoughts.
Blaise on June 13, 2007 at 4:05 PM
And that’s precisely the problem. If only he had just won a prize in the junior Jaycees or the Young Republicans.
smellthecoffee on June 13, 2007 at 4:06 PM
And what type of attitude would that be tomas?
Zetterson on June 13, 2007 at 4:12 PM
I watched the Fox All-stars clip…..excuse me while I go throw up. I can see the other two as fawners for Teddy Boy; but even Fred Barnes? It’s too much. Those guys need to get out beyond the Beltway once in a while.
Mallard T. Drake on June 13, 2007 at 4:20 PM
50/50, but Graham is working hard to overtake the number one spot.
Bad Candy on June 13, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Seems very similar to the emperor and Darth Vader. Vader has out front but not the one with the master strategy!
SSG Fuzzy on June 13, 2007 at 6:17 PM
I watched that jaw-dropping Fox All Stars last night, and was knocked out by the Ted Kennedy wet dreaming.
Yes Fred, Ted Kennedy wants to get things done.
Liberal things.
Martin on June 13, 2007 at 7:00 PM
Somebody unelect this jackass. I am tired of his pandering and his disregard of basic truth. We are not the enemy, sir, it is the millions of illegals you ignore.
pat on June 13, 2007 at 7:02 PM
The problem for Senor Graham is that democracy IS working and the American people are rising up. He’s like Mike Nifong…he probably knows he’s wrong but he’s going to press forward because he has no choice. The pandering has gone too far for him to go back now.
SouthernGent on June 13, 2007 at 7:10 PM
I just got off the phone with him and he says he’s never heard of this “soda” you speak of.
RightWinged on June 13, 2007 at 11:21 PM
How do you know what we work on? Are you so ignorant to think that we discuss our entire lives on HA? HA discusses the hot issues of the day and dragging threads off topic is frowned upon. If you would apply your skills of observation in an intellectually honest manner, you wouldn’t be making such silly comments as that.
No one really minds your contradictions on every single conservative issue, but be intellectually honest will ya?
csdeven on June 14, 2007 at 8:02 AM
I’d almost bet that would send most of them packing back to their own countries.
csdeven on June 14, 2007 at 8:06 AM
The press “1″ is new since the last attempt to pass this legislation. I call all the Amnesty Senators giving them a local zip code so my calls will not be ignored opposing this legislation.
****************
Except for Michelle Malkin and Charles Krauthammer, FoxNews is in the tank for open borders and Amnesty. Even Sean Hannity is all for the guest worker provision which is the provision that gives them Amnesty ditto for the flip flopping O’Reilly.
When this illegal immigration debate first started, Bill O’Reilly, John Gibson and Sean Hannity all were against Amnesty. It was like a memo came down and they all started to support the comprehensive approach.
When the Senate failed to vote for Closure, FoxNews did not cover the cloture motion instead they had Paris Hilton on every segment including Hannity and Colmes.
If it were not for Michelle and Charles Krauthammer, I do not think we would ever hear of the other side to the debate even though by 69% the American people oppose the legislation.
IMHO-FoxNews is not “Fair and Balanced” when is comes to illegal immigration.
ScottyDog on June 14, 2007 at 4:00 PM
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