Video: Rudy on immigration, then and now
posted at 9:33 am on December 14, 2007 by Allahpundit
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First comes his new ad, next comes a six-year-old clip that magically made its way onto YouTube yesterday this morning. The date: September 7, 2001, four days before a few of the undocumented did a little impromptu immigrating to the World Trade Center. Re-read that Examiner piece from earlier this week and you’ll see that he’s still singing the same song, sort of:
Giuliani handled it by cracking down on illegals who broke more than immigration laws. Meanwhile, he adopted a laissez-faire attitude toward everyone else who entered the United States illegally.
“The ones that are causing me no trouble, I’m going to leave them alone,” he told The Examiner. “They’re contributing to the lawful part of the city. I’ve got so many citizens — legal immigrants, and then some illegal immigrants — committing crimes that I’ve got to pay attention to them.”…
“That’s the federal government’s problem,” he told The Examiner. “If you’re not hurting anybody in my city, I don’t care.”
He’s trying to play the good federalist here. If and when Huckabee starts to flag and Romney and Thompson can turn their attention elsewhere, they should start hammering Rudy on why he supports national solutions like Roe when it helps abortion and state solutions like sanctuary cities when it helps illegals. He’ll reach for a constitutional distinction in the right of privacy by way of response but it won’t do him much good with GOP voters.
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Eddie Haskell for President!
jaime on December 14, 2007 at 9:41 AM
Hey Rudy, where did the amazing disappearing Jihad Watch post go?
saint kansas on December 14, 2007 at 9:44 AM
I’m hoping, but it seems like nothing’s brought him down yet. Now we learn he took hundreds of gifts in office, including $125,000 in one year alone. Considering how the other things played out, I don’t count on that hurting him either.
As for Rudy:
I wish he’d held a harder stance, but the feds weren’t deporting and he had major crime issues to handle. Sort of like picking your battles. Of course, he’s open to criticism, rightly so, now that he’s running for Prez and 9/11 has happened.
amerpundit on December 14, 2007 at 9:48 AM
Oh, and Marc Ambinder claims the Romney campaign dropped the video by his place this morning. Not sure if that means after it was posted on YouTube.
amerpundit on December 14, 2007 at 9:50 AM
American Civics? If everyone is learning Spanish, shouldn’t we be also learning Mexican Civics in American classrooms?
eclark1849 on December 14, 2007 at 9:52 AM
As the recent elections might seem to warn: the candidate who manages this issue properly has a distinct advantage right out of the gate.
Rudy has a very large, cold mountain to climb, here.
Jaibones on December 14, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Well then, let’s get it done Rudy.
Spirit of 1776 on December 14, 2007 at 9:56 AM
Townhall said the video came from Mitt as well.
sunny on December 14, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Rudy couldn’t have managed NYC as a microcosm of the US–the mayoral powers are different and the constituency is unlike the rest of the U.S., especially in its debt to immigrants, some of who are parents and grandparents of today’s successful New Yorkers.
Under Rudy & Bloomberg, who are “soft” on illegals, NYC has seen its crime rate plummet and its economy boom. The mayor has a city to run–there are 535 members of congress who have a lot less on their plates.
dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 10:02 AM
A blade of grass in the political wind.
abinitioadinfinitum on December 14, 2007 at 10:07 AM
Pre vs Post 9/11 opinion adjustment is possibly going on here. With his radio broadcast statement made shortly before The WTC attack, I can imagine him seeking to reconcile his personal rationale of a few days prior, with what had just occurred.
captivated_dem on December 14, 2007 at 10:08 AM
I am a Rudy supporter. But this stuff is going to be killer until super Tuesday. My only hope is that the Rudy fade will help any other candidate who is not named Huckabee.
sweeper on December 14, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Yes!
saved on December 14, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Huck’s rise and the problems Mitt and Rudy are having have to make Fred and McCain feel like they are still in the race.
I think when Huck wins Iowa Republican voters will say “Not him”, and then firm up support for one of the others–McCain has a lot of detractors (and no money) but might emerge as a consensus.
dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 10:18 AM
I like that he’s tough on national security. That may even tip the balance for me when it comes time to vote. And this illegal immig. fip flop is already factored in. But his global warming attitudes bug me as well. He sounds like a moron- and oh so ready to raise his hand like a good boy in the last debate. Rudy’s always gone with the common culture flow when it comes to social issues–seems like his global warming position crapola fits the bill too.
JiangxiDad on December 14, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Rudy is pro-illegal immigrant. Listen to him, “they are just coming here for a job”, etc. He has another quote about loving the fact he can hear a dozen different languages in New York “Hey I do not have to travel to visit a foreign country!”
Hey Rudy that is the problem! We only want people to immigrate here that want to be American. Illegal aliens do not want to be American, comprendes?
Theworldisnotenough on December 14, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Fred’s performance in the debate is a good indication that he is still in the race. We’ll see how that translates into momentum soon.
sweeper on December 14, 2007 at 10:21 AM
That bugged me too, which really made me give other candidates a second look. Unfortunately, Mitt seems to have the same problem as Rudy. Fred, obviously, showed the most backbone. And McCain, while better than any Dem gives me pause due to his Immigration and McCain/Feingold background.
sweeper on December 14, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Sidenote:
Rudy leads in Florida but, Illegal immigration is very big in that state, and while Florida is full of Hispanics they are Cuban not Mexican, huge difference in our national policy toward Cuba. There are no Cuban illegal aliens. Once they hit the beach they are legal. So a crakc down means very little to them. And quiet as it is kept, your average Cuban isn’t laying awake at night lamenting the fate of Mexicans. Heck 45% of Hispanics supported an English only law on the state ballot. Try getting that percentage in California.
Immigration could very well tip Florida away from Rudy. Americans are still stinging because they were driven out of Miami. I honestly do not think He can take Florida with his past stance on immigration.
Theworldisnotenough on December 14, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Not according to the latest…
sweeper on December 14, 2007 at 10:28 AM
This is why non-New Yorkers don’t understand why he is so quick to point out his record while Mayor in NYC. NYC isn’t America – not even close. This is a huge country. I recommend that everyone drive across it from coast to coast at some point in their lives. If you do that, you’ll realize how SMALL New York is.
And again, while he was in office the economy boomed which helped everyone in office look good. Rudy won’t do good in a poor economy which will come sometime soon regardless of who is in office.
ThackerAgency on December 14, 2007 at 10:29 AM
This is on Drudge:
RASMUSSEN Florida Primary polling data showing Rudy lost lead; now its Huckabee, Romney on top: Huckabee 27% Romney 23% Giuliani 19%… Developing…
sweeper on December 14, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Rudy’s grandparents immigrated from Italy, and he speaks some Italian. When you walk through Manhattan you can go from block-to-block where the languages change, the signs change and the menus change.
A lot of Americans come to New York City for the variety that it contains. You either love it or hate it, but Rudy was born here, he ran the city, and believes in it. You don’t have to like NYC, but many many people do.
dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 10:33 AM
McC was doing his best to appease the global warming crowd. You just know the goracle was smiling. (shudder)
techno_barbarian on December 14, 2007 at 10:35 AM
The reason illegal immigration has gotten out of control is because it has been defacto policy to encourage it. In the “olden days” we had a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy where the INS would round up and deport ilegals when they were nabbed committing other crimes, or when they were obvious (congregating publicly, etc.).
In the last 15 years our policy has been “don’t ask, don’t care”.
The reason Bush and others grudgingly accept immigration “reform” is because they know they won’t enforce it.
Any of these wishy-washy RINO candidates can be counted on to continue the Bush-Clinton-Bush immigration policy.
edgehead on December 14, 2007 at 10:37 AM
I agree. I’m not supporting Rudy. I also believe that he hasn’t done the work over the past 6 years to prepare for the Presidency. Maybe if he took the Homeland Security position instead of recommending “Bad News Bernie”.
dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 10:37 AM
dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 10:33 AM
I don’t dislike New York. I have had a wonderful time there every time I have gone there. Actually I am disappointed that the Knicks aren’t doing any better. I will recommend that the greatest basketball player in the NBA go to NY next year to revive the team (Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets).
The issue is whether or not we want the President to run the country the way New York is run. I don’t think that that would make people in North Dakota or Texas or Colorado feel very good. Rudy is born, raised, and lived in New York. His understanding of the rest of the country is poor. That’s why he wouldn’t make a very good President.
ThackerAgency on December 14, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Oh, and don’t think simply adding border contol agents will solve the problem. I’ve got a cousin down in South Texas who is a border control agent. His family has a live-in maid/nanny who is illegal. Many of his colleagues have the same luxury.
edgehead on December 14, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Yes CP3 is awesome but I personally like him right where he is. If he would go to the Knicks, I would not get to see his talent. :)
abinitioadinfinitum on December 14, 2007 at 10:47 AM
I agree that rest of America is and should be different than NY. Rudy was mayor of NY in the 90’s and had to run that particular city. He brought with him as much conservative policy as the city could handle, especially in welfare reform and crime fighting. He couldn’t and wouldn’t change its immigrant culture.
I agree on Chris Paul. I think the Canadian guy on the Suns is still the best, but Paul is ready wrest the point guard mantle from Nash and Kidd. It’d be great to have Paul on the Knicks, who have a pouty point guard on the court and a crazy old point guard as coach.
dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Giuliani
A mind is a terrible thing to change. That’s why Rudy decided to double his base by turning himself into two candidates at once.
Some of the most bald-faced pandering is hilarious, as when Giuliani told the conservative Weekly Standard that as he voted for George McGovern he was thinking he should really be voting for Richard Nixon. But Rudy has taken positioning to an entirely new place. He has created a virtual Rudy to run alongside the actual—or at least the historical—version. One Rudy insists that he is still in favor of legal abortion and gay rights, just as he was when he was mayor of New York. But virtual Rudy has found a catchphrase to suggest that those and other positions are fungible: he would appoint “strict constructionists” to the bench, justices like Scalia and Thomas not jurisprudentially inclined toward what the original Rudy—if such a thing can be said to still exist—believes. Like some form of partisan demonic possession, one Rudy will take positions and the other will appoint judges who will negate them. It’s like vetoing yourself.
Maybe this is the age of the political multiple personality and a presidential race has become like “Sybil,” only way longer than any mini-series. Maybe Rudy is on to something. After all, you can’t be seen as flip-flopping if you’re always of two minds.
MB4 on December 14, 2007 at 10:58 AM
He has held the lead for quite sometime. If Rudy just dropped in the polls it only adds to the credibility of my analysis.
Theworldisnotenough on December 14, 2007 at 11:03 AM
he’s a danger to this nation. America cannot afford to have Rudy or Huckabee in office.
madmonkphotog on December 14, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Rudy-Soft on Conservative principles!
Gatordoug on December 14, 2007 at 11:13 AM
If he can run NYC successfully, he certainly can run the country. All these arguments that NYC is not the rest of America is stupifyingly obvious and completely irrelevant. North Dakota sure as hell isn’t the rest of America either.
awake on December 14, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Should be obvious, but critics of Rudy try to translate his blueprint for NYC into a forecast for what he’d do as POTUS.
dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 11:39 AM
So you agree that this argument is doltish?
awake on December 14, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Well it is Rudy that talks only about New York and his mayorship(is that a word) of it. He makes his case of why he should be the president based on what? What he did in new York. So anyone would draw a very logical conclusion from that.
Gatordoug on December 14, 2007 at 1:11 PM
I was here in NYC on 9/11 and think his leadership was exemplary, still I don’t think managing through that period is sufficient preparation for the presidency. I’d like to have seen him do something other than give speeches since Jan 2002.
There is a lot to learn about his character (good & bad) by reviewing his 8 year in NYC, but it would be wrong to think he’d have exactly the same priorities and strategy.
dedalus on December 14, 2007 at 2:01 PM
As mayor, Rudy had different powers and goals than he would have if elected President. For example, a mayor is powerless to do anything about illegal immigration. If his city had 400,000 illegal aliens (which it did), he (unlike the President or a Senator) had no ability to do anything to remove them. A mayor of a big city is really a victim of the federal government’s failure to protect the boarder and deport illegals…
Now if Rudy were elected President (or had been a Senator in the 90’s) then he would have been in a position to propose legislation to enforce the boarder or deport illegals, etc. The point dedalus is trying to make is that you can divine something about his personality, managerial style, and overall effectiveness from looking at his record in NYC — but not necessarily his actions or policy positions, because of the different powers and responsibilities between a big city mayor and POTUS.
tommylotto on December 14, 2007 at 7:07 PM
Had he said that–”we have to be practical and pick our battles”–that would be fine. But he said, it’s a good thing illegals are here.
I don’t think it is.
Tzetzes on December 14, 2007 at 11:10 PM
Full Disclosure: I am a Southern libertarian who supports Fred Thompson
I think Rudy’s immigration position is reasonable. In 2001, Rudy represented the people of New York City. Those people probably favored the immigration position Rudy articulated. Also, the Feds have exclusive jurisdiction over immigration issues.
With all of that said, I still don’t trust Rudy on immigration. If he felt strongly about enforcing immigration, he would have taken a stand. He didn’t.
bigbeas on December 15, 2007 at 12:47 AM
Yup.
dedalus on December 15, 2007 at 12:50 AM
I think you are right. Given New York’s marketplace mindset, history of immigration, ethnic diversity, plummeting crime rate, and very vibrant economy, most people in New York City work along side people who are not citizens and don’t have a problem with it. From a local standpoint it hasn’t been a day-to-day economic crisis in NYC during the past 15 years.
That’s NYC. Rudy would have a different constituency nationally along with a different mandate. I’ve said above that Rudy isn’t my top choice. I have reservations about him, but you want a pit bull on a crime issue? Open the cage and let him out.
dedalus on December 15, 2007 at 12:58 AM
Agreed. As much as I hate to say it, Rudy actually did make government work about as well as government can (which is still pretty crappy).
I have reservations about Rudy, but not because of this 2001 immigration video or newspaper quote. I don’t like that Rudy is less libertarian than I am. But then again, so is most of America. At least he’s not Huckabee.
bigbeas on December 15, 2007 at 1:10 AM
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