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MIAMI -- At his first public appearance since aggressively defending himself as "pro-immigration" at last night's final Florida debate, Mitt Romney took to the podium again today to argue that he and the Republican party are firmly in favor of legal immigration.
"First of all, with regards to immigration. I like immigration. I like legal immigration. I think its important for America to recognize that immigration is an extraordinary source of vitality of our nation. That bringing people of different cultures here creates opportunity and growth for the entire economy," Romney said. "We are not anti-immigrant. We are not anti-immigration. We are the pro-immigration, pro-legality, pro-citizenship party."
Romney's speech today, at which he was introduce by in Spanish by his youngest son, touched on a wide variety of other issues important to the Hispanic community, including economic growth in Latin America, US Policy toward Cuba and whether or not Puerto Rico should become the 51st state.
"What's happening in Latin America, whether its Mexico or the Carribbean, through Central America, through South America is such extraordinary growth economically, not to mention demographically, that there is a huge economic, political and military opportunity and series of challenges and obligations here in this hemisphere," Romney said, promising to maintain closer ties to the region, often largely ignored in U.S. foreign policy.
Romney also continued his appeal to South Florida's Cuban-American community, saying that a Romney administration would support Cubans seeking freedom upon the death of Fidel Castro -- a remark which earned him a standing ovation.
"There is a time coming soon, where Cuba will be free. That's going to happen. We're going to have to get organized for it. We're going to have to recognize that people there want freedom, as people do all over the world, and America can't sit back," Romney said. "I will not only say something when Fidel Castro finally leaves this earth, I will do something. I will be behind the voices of freedom here an the voices of freedom there. We will help Cuba become free."
Romney also touched on the controversial question of whether or not Puerto Rico should become the 51st state. Two days ago at a Univision forum, Romney said he "would not argue one side or the other" of the issue, and that his choice "is to let [the people of Puerto Rico] make their own choice."
Today, he said he would support a Puerto Rican effort at earning statehood, if the people of Puerto Rico supported such a move in a referendum, scheduled for November.
""I'm looking forward to the time when the people of Puerto Rico make their decision about becoming a state," Romney said."I expect the people of Puerto Rico will decide like [Governor Luis Fortuno] feels, to become a state, and I can tell you that I will work with him that if that vote comes out in favor of statehood we will go through the process in Washington to provide statehood to Puerto Rico. "
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Is the nomination for SALE to the richest offeror ? Sadly, It seems to be so.
Romney is using the overwhelming force that millions can buy to "just grinding Newt down".
Congressmen and forces in the GOP establishment have fanned out across the
state to bring Gingrich down. BUT they do not count in " WE THE PEOPLE" we, will level the field ! We will not let " I think if Romney wins this, it is over for Newt" John McLaughlin, veteran Republican Pollster )
WE THE PEOPLE MUST give the victory to DESERVING LION Newt GINGRICH AND FORCE THE MONEY MACHINE
to spread more wealth, pay more mercenary campaigners and enrich other states.
FLORIDIANS- DO NOT "CROWN" KING WILLIARD ROMNEY as YET ! LET HIM SPREAD HIS WEALTH a little more , IN MORE STATES FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. !!
THE POWER TO THE PEOPLE IS GREATER THAN Romney millions !!
DO NOT LET "Mitt" BUY THE NOMINATION THIS CHEAP. Give Newt the victory and make "Ken" Romney really spend a few more millions to
PAY for the Doomed Nomination - ( He vill lose to Obama for sure ).
He has zillions in the Cayman Islands and all over the world, although he claims HE DID NOT KNOW . Somebody transferred his millions to a swiss account WITHOUT letting him know ! Yeah !
Latin America's economic growth????? By enslaving the LOYAL American veteran and taxpayer to feed, clothe, house, and educate these foreign invaders and their families who seek to conduct a type of genocide against the BUILDERS OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, the WHITE AMERICAN.
Bullfighter, I think your name shoud be bullmanure. How many white americans built the railroad tracks in the 1800? Read some history Bullmanure, they brought people from China, at slave wages, to lay the tracks for the trains. Did you forget that on purpose, or just wanted to forget it?
Did you happen to forget the black slaves that were brought here to help the plantion owners to grow cotton? Or did you just ignore that also?
Also Bullmanure, there are a hell of a lot of hispansic family's that were living here in what is now called the US before the WHITE AMERICAN came here. You did know that, right, or are you just ignoring that also?
But yes, all illegals need to leave, apply legally to come here. You illegals are criminals, because you broke our laws coming here illegally. Plain and simple. You are criminals, and need to get your butts back home, apply for, and get permission to come here legally. Until you do that, you will not be welcome, and will be talked about in a very shameful way. Such is life, become a legal citizen, no problem Until then, screw you.
Gosh SALLY ANN, you forget that HISPANICS brought those "black slaves" to America long before the founding of Jamestown started the 13 colonies.
LA RAZA forgets to mention that in their "I HATE GRINGOS" ethnic studies.
And Latin America continued to have slaves long after the American Civil War ended slavery in the US.Where were they? On the coffee plantations for one. That was work that even the Latinos didn't want to do.
By the way, those magnificent hard working Chinese came here of their own free will, and were not slaves.
And the Chinese were not the cry babies that Latinos turned out to be. They used the little they had and didn't complain, even when they knew they were being ripped-off. Why do you think China is doing so well and Latin America is the same toilet it has always been?
Better get yourself a college level American History book that doesn't pander to the minorities.
BullFighter you are absolutely right. From what I see very little value comes up from south of the border and a lot of expense is created!
I must say I do not know a thing about politics but this new upcoming election has gotten things pretty interesting and I find myself readin more about whatz goin on with the election... it makes me want 2 learn more ... lots more
Romney would be the #1 candidate if his body language would not be so tense. He has the same problem as Al Gore at the time.
They need to stop using this word Latino in the article. They need to correct it and say Cubans, Cuban-Americans or the Cuban community. Traditionally when one speaks of Latinos they speak of some one from south of the border, or persons born from parents south of the border. Those latinos need some pro- immigration candidates. The Latinos that this story speaks of do not need pro-immigration candidates because if you are Cuban and come from Cuba and hit American soil, you get on the fast track to citizenship. Both Cubans and Puerto Ricans are to proud of their heritage and cultures to be mixed in with the word Latinos. All Cubans I have met are Republican anyways. Now Marco Rubio is another story.
Somehow the jobs will all dry up because the corporations will magically comply with the laws they have ignored for years...stiff jail penalties and stiffer fines, will get their attention...WWll Vet.
Bob-1887910,
Your statement is funny because Romney is pretending to propose everything Obama has already proposed for Comprehensive Immigration. Except, Romney is pretending to be soft on Immigration in Latino territory for Courting Latino voters of Florida hoping they'll vote Republican with a History being a Flip Flopper in the Party who has been ANTI-Comprehensive Immigration, while Obama already proposed the same policies of COMPREHENSIVE-Immigration which fell on deaf "ears" for political purposes with a Republican controlled House trying to publicly ensure Obama failure. So.....who's really pandering???? It's the GOP. They have been anti-immigration for 4 years (like Arizona), and now they'll pretend they aren't in Florida to attract those Latino's who are stupid enough to believe them.........The GOP will lie about anything just to get elected.
i thinks romney he is so stupid who do he thinks he is talking to baby childs this guy he is straight up anti imingrant he just wante to says anythings to get elected in florida that all liyer
When the "Birthers" get citizenship status figured out for President Obama. If you run out of ideas for your "Birther" movement you can start with Mitt Romney if he becomes the next GOP his father was born in Mexico and if that's not enough we always have the governor of South Carolina and Mississippi.This will help spend some of the tax payers money.
Louisiana not Mississippi
Raul Castro is the leader of the Cuban govt, Fidel Castro dying will have no affect on the Cuban govt. Also the Cuban people are never going to overthrow their gov,t, they`re following a path similar to China and Vietnam, where the gov`t is communist but the economy is capitalistic.
Romney wants Spanish only to be taught in our schools. Mormons are Sopposed To Donate A 10% Tithe to the Mormon church. In the last Two 2 years he made 21 Million Dollars a year but He Only Tithed about 7% to the mormon church, He Jipped His Own Church, what 'how much' would he jip the the American Taxpayer if He were President? If he makes Spanish the language of this country, will your children be able to go to school, or is our schools only to accept illegal nontaxpaying students?
How will Mitt Romney address fairness with American workers whom he took advantage of them during Bain Capital and made a quick profit by slice and dice the companies he brought, and now he only pay 13.9 % tax rate from that wealth, when American workers pay 30-40 tax rate? Will Mitt address fair share with American workers or he wil call them envy of his 13.9% tax rate and Swiss Bank account?
By the way, will Mitt Romney show American voters his complete tax return since Bain Capital?
We need to stop all immigration, legal and illegal. More people = higher resource consumption. With a growing world population and a growing US population (due to immigration), the last thing we need is more people.
Republic,
When you have NO immigration policy in place, people still migrate for a job in the US hoping to feed their hungry children and families. If Bush, Dole, and Mccain had been taking care of business from 2000-2008 after Reagan passed them the "buck" by an amnesty program providing 30 million illegal immigrants free passage....we wouldn't be in this situation, now. Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, and Mccain were unable to pass comprehensive reform for immigration. And now...Republicans wait until a Democrat is in office to complain about it...when they did absolutely nothing, and said nothing about Immigration reform for the last 20 years whenever Republicans were in office......
Yes, we all know this. So lets move forward and adopt a policy of zero immigration.
Mitt is belong to GOP, and he will control by GOP, as you know Arizona Governor stand on Immigration issue. This is all politician talk, but no substance, if so, GOP would allow a vote on immigration bill, but they won't allow it on the floor for vote (zero chance).
How will Mitt Romney address fairness with American workers whom he took advantage of them during Bain Capital and made a quick profit by slice and dice the companies he brought, and now he only pay 13.9 % tax rate from that wealth, when American workers pay 30-40 tax rate? Will Mitt address fair share with American workers or he wil call them envy of his 13.9% tax rate and Swiss Bank account?
By the way, will Mitt Romney show American voters his complete tax return since Bain Capital?
brian-296723,
Obama will expose Romney's corrupt values against the middle class. Just think....you are already describing Romney's coporate exploitation of the middle class American economy, and Obama hasn't even opened his mouth, yet. This is because he must wait until a Candidate has been selected. When Obama does direct his facts to the Candidate....they're going to be left looking stupid.....trust me. By the way, Mitt will never show his taxes from 2000 until present because he's freakin' Crook....and we all know it. Vulture Capitalism is against the stakeholder and solely represents the Wall Street shareholder....period.