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Mitt Romney would pursue some type of comprehensive, long-term reform to America's immigration system, the former Massachusetts governor and his supporters said on Sunday.
Republicans accused President Obama of playing politics on Friday when he announced that the government would no longer seek the deportation of immigrants who were illegally brought to the U.S. as children, under certain conditions.
"What I would do, is I’d make sure that by coming into office, I would work with Congress to put in place a long-term solution for the children of those that have come here illegally," Romney said Sunday on "Face the Nation."
A top surrogate of Romney's, Arizona Sen. John McCain, went slightly further. Romney was "certainly willing to address that issue and immigration reform in a comprehensive way," McCain said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Obama administration won't seek deportation of young illegal immigrants
The Obama administration's announcement on Friday has had immediate reverberations on the presidential campaign trail. The shift in policy was seen as a bid toward energizing Latino voters, who could prove a decisive voting bloc in certain swing states, behind Obama's candidacy.
Romney, whose conservative rhetoric on immigration during the primary prompted worries about turning off Latinos, sidestepped a question about whether he should specifically undo Obama's order. He said that question would be rendered moot — "overtaken by events," he said — by the long-term solution he would instead put in place.
For its part, the Obama administration denied that the announcement was motivated by electoral considerations.
"It wasn't about politics," White House adviser David Plouffe said on NBC. "We're absolutely confident … this is well within our powers to do."
Romney wants 'long-term' solution for illegal immigration
Plouffe said he expected the election to be a close on regardless, but nonetheless acknowledged the administration's new policy toward young immigrants could give Obama a leg-up among Latinos in swing states.
"We're going to have to fight for every vote," Plouffe said, "but there's no doubt our strength with Latino voters helps in Nevada, Arizona, Florida."
Republicans, though, said that they viewed Obama's move with skepticism, accusing the administration of acting with an eye toward November.
"This was obviously a way to divert attention from very bad news the president has received the last tree or four weeks," McCain said.
Romney argued that the "timing is pretty clear," saying that Obama could have acted sooner in his administration to address immigration had he wanted to. Mobilizing Latinos, Romney argued, was "certainly a big part of the equation."
The new immigration proposal tracks closely to a plan that had been developed by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, which Romney had said he was studying. Rubio is thought to be on the short list of candidates to become Romney's running mate this fall. Romney said on CBS that he had expected Rubio's proposal to be unveiled shortly, before Obama acted.
Rubio the VP favorite at conservative conference
Neither Romney nor McCain offered any specific outline of what the presumptive Republican nominee's alternative immigration plan would accomplish. The term "comprehensive" has long been a buzzword among conservatives who who oppose a process toward citizenship — or even some sort of legal status — for illegal immigrants, which they view as "amnesty."
McCain had long been a proponent of a variation of comprehensive immigration reform that offered a pathway toward citizenship. He admitted that conservative opposition was a "major factor" in felling past attempts at that kind of reform, but he also blamed Democrats' insistence on other measures opposed by Republicans as a factor.
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The Republicans do not want to change what is happening with illegal aliens as they would lose thier cheap labor force. They have the best of both worlds they can exploit the people working at thier homes and exploit thier workers in thier factories in other countries. Why would they want to change anything!
The repugicans will not be happy till everyone is under thier toe.
So, what's wrong with exploiting or being exploited? You're not making any Republicans blush, here. All they need to do is flip the card and show you how union bosses are exploiting workers and how communist class-leveling never worked and resulted in people wearing inferior blue jeans, unless they could pay high prices on the black market. You're looking for a "conscience" that doesn't exist. Undocumented workers are glad to come here for cheap jobs because it's more than they've got back home. Besides, Democrats aren't the working person's party--they're the other business party. They tweak the status quo, but when push comes to shove they'll bail out the bankers and demand even less from them than fiscally conservative Republicans would.
It's a little pointless to argue over Romney's long-term immigration reform plan, since no one knows what it is.
My prayer is that someday there will be an era of enlightenment in the Republican ranks. They've had control of the Congress for 1 1/2 years. They've been in charge during the Bush administration. They've never come up with a "comprehensive" plan for Immigration reform and there's no reason to believe that a Romney administration with a Republican controlled Congress really would come up with one. So far, Romney is all hot air with not a clue for voters as to what he's for and how he'd like to get there. Give me a lame duck President with a plan rather than an untested double talking billionaire.
Keep praying. Who needs enlightenment when you have a time-tested formula for winning elections? Keep the red staters on board by taking God's side in the never-ending cultural wars while you continue to plunder the wealth of the world. Republicans are right at home with this basic contradiction, because they hate intellectuals and can always fall back on their own think tanks if they need a rationalization. Meanwhile, let the Democrats keep digging their own grave by trying to serve the interests of big business and working people at the same time. Let them destroy each other from within, or just neutralize everything they try to do, like passing Obamacare by throwing juicy steaks to the insurance and pharmacy industries. It's the Democrats that need an enlightenment. They can hardly talk straight anymore to all the working people that used to support them.
Not to be rude but Congress is made up of two parts the Senate and the House. The Senate has the Democrats in charge while for 1 1/2 years the Republicans are in charge of the House. The last two years of Bush the Democrats controlled both parts of Congress so you were wrong there also. The first two years of the Obama administration he had both houses, promised immigration reform and never presented a plan and still hasn't.
Bush did come up with a comprehensive immigration program but it did not pass Congress because of Republican votes as actually Sen. Obama voted for it.
Jerry, Democratic "control" of the Senate and/or the House has never meant quite the same thing as Republican "control."
It would be more accurate to talk of a Democratic "majority" because they're never able to agree with each other the way the GOP does. As Will Rogers said, "I belong to no organized political party. I am a Democrat."
Besides, the Democratic majority you refer to was very small, at one point consisting of one vote, assuming Lieberman was a Democrat.
The GOP majority in both the Senate and the House really does have self discipline, so much so that Olympia Snowe, a moderate, just gave up and resigned a few months ago.
"Romney promises" ... the problem is, what does he promise in order to get the mega-millions given to support him (we can't be so naive to think there are no strings)?
Looking at the Republican Party over the last twelve years it becomes clear they have become totally against any bipartisanship and any type of compromise, no matter what it costs the people. What they are totally fixed on, which they deceptively offer as being "conservative", is a subservient loyalty to "big money", their supporters and masters. The Republican / Tea Party has literally become owned and controlled by "the money", as is totally evident in the mega-millions being used to control their own people, even forcing out any "moderates", and in aggressively promoting their propaganda to con the people and manipulate public opinion. They are now literally just "puppets" for "the few" who consistently "pull their strings".... and If the average American, Republican / Democrat / Independent, fails to recognize the obvious inherent problems in that cancer, then we are just apt to be returned to "more of the same", Bush-Cheney style, (and worse) that costs us so much.
Attacking "big government", government spending and the deficit alone, while worthwhile goals, won't solve the problems as once the deceptive smokescreen is put aside it can be seen that faulting those things is used to excite emotions and hide what is actually the real cause of the problems, being the constant exploitation by "the few", allowed by permissive and co-responsible politicians, enabling "the few" to walk away with great gains while always leaving the substantial costs to the majority. That is the reality that continually feeds the insatiable "more" appetite of "the few" while always costing the majority and is what is rationalized as being "conservative". It has been said that the Republicans, with their current mentality, are incapable of honestly and responsibly governing and their abandonment of the people to concentrate only on "the few" while depending on the power, influence and money provided to con and manipulate the people, clearly substantiates that truth and the costs to the people.
Obama and the Democrats leave much to be desired starting with needing to be firmer, stronger more unified and quicker to aggressively respond to the Republicans, while still being transparent (a valuable contrast) and to make boldly clear the deception and problems they are fighting. They offer more diversity in their ranks, which better represents the people, and by the nature of the difference in philosophies they are not as attractive for “the money” to control ... but they really have to counter the substantial money, power and influence that backs the Republicans just to get the people their message. That is a difficult challenge.
The people, the voters have responsibility too. “The money” is spending mega-millions (one individual alone paid $21M to support Gingrich, now has given $10M to Romney and says he will give all that is needed from his $25B net worth) that along with their substantial power and influence, is being used to support the conning of the people and the manipulation of public opinion - that is what the people have to recognize and understand is not being done out of the goodness of “the money’s” collective heart ... there are real strings attached. Bush-Cheney proved beyond any doubt, when using their offices and America’s resources to benefit only “the few”, that the “trickle down” theory is a total fraud only making the wealthy wealthier and soliciting political support; the always growing spread between the very wealthy and everyone else clearly identifies this country is constantly being pushed further into a two-class society with “the few” (1%) competing in having it all, while the majority (99%) continues to lose more; the Republican’s constant focus on protecting “the money’s” interests while stubbornly and arrogantly refusing to do anything real for the people; ... those are the strings and the goals they demand in return for what they spend. They are effectively stealing the average American’s basic rights - not just the American Dream and not just to sway the public’s voting ... but also to control the individual’s thinking. There is nothing but an abundance of subterfuge and the substantial costs for the majority in all of it and the people have the responsibility to recognize and firmly reject all of the propaganda and the “puppet” politicians - else they can blame only themselves.
Attacking big government is not a worthwhile goal. Democrats need to defend the size of government--hell, Obama's already cut thousands of government jobs since the Depression hit. Government spending is needed to create jobs. If you're American, you know that the government is supposed to be for the people as a counterbalance to private interests. Defend that! The trouble with ARRA is that it didn't spend enough. It's common sense that you cut the deficit during good economic times when you can. You don't cut the deficit and with it the economic benefits of increased consumer spending when you're in a depression. And don't blame Republicans for lack of racial/ethnic diversity because they don't care. They have enough economic diversity to win because there are plenty of working and middle class people who vote Republican. As long as Democrats are just as beholden to the interests of big business as Republicans they have no leg to stand on when going to "average" Americans and saying we're your party. Democrats need to reclaim their rightful place in this class war (that the 1% are handily winning) and stop chasing every battle in the cultural war that comes their way in order to hold on to a few more votes. First things first, and that means jobs.
That's the fundamental weakness of a democracy, isn't it? The people determine the kind of government they get -- but suppose the people are stupid?
Etch-a-Sketch Mitt making promises?
Etch-a-Sketch Obama on why he thinks it would be a blatant violation of our constitution to use a execution order on immigration (deportation).
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-i-cant-just-suspend-deportations-through-executive-order-there-are-laws-books_647283.html
Etch-a-Sketch can go both ways. I would stop using it as it will be used against you.
Too bad you wasted your time. It was NOT an Executive Order, it was a policy change by Homeland Security. But, then again, don't let facts get in the way of your hatred and name calling.
Ha ha! POlicy change by Homeland Security. Obama said big Sis made the change but it's all Obama's doing. I'm amazed that even a lib would believe that HS lie.
Say...
Where is the hatred? Where is the name calling? I don't stoop to that level passion because I am not that tied to a party. I treat other as I would want to be treated.
You are either not that informed on executive orders or not focusing. I would think Executive Orders would be an easy one so I am hoping for not focusing.
From wikipedia:
In the United States, an executive order is an order or directive issued by the head of the executive branch at some level of government. The term executive order is most commonly applied to orders issued by the President, who is the head of the executive branch of the federal government. Executive orders may also be issued at the state level by a state's governor or at the local level by the city's mayor. U.S. Presidents have issued executive orders since 1789, usually to help officers and agencies of the executive branch manage the operations within the federal government itself.
From "This Nation":
Executive Orders (EOs) are legally binding orders given by the President, acting as the head of the Executive Branch, to Federal Administrative Agencies. Executive Orders are generally used to direct federal agencies and officials in their execution of congressionally established laws or policies. However, in many instances they have been used to guide agencies in directions contrary to congressional intent.
Types of Executive Orders
There are two types of executive order. The most common is a document directing executive branch agencies how to carry out their legislative mission. The other type is a declaration of policy interpretation which intended for a wider, public audience
You can have a policy change in not deporting people, but the issuance of work visas is an Executive Order
When it comes to a law (Immigration) the only way to change the policy within the Execution branch is through a Executive Order. So I beg to disagree.
Many important policy changes have occurred through Executive Orders. Harry Truman integrated the armed forces under Executive Order. President Eisenhower used an EO to desegregate schools. Presidents Kennedy and Johnson used them to bar racial discrimination in federal housing, hiring, and contracting. President Reagan used an EO to bar the use of federal funds for advocating abortion. President Clinton reversed this order when he came into office.
I meant which people you choose to deport is a policy change. The government is choosing not to deport the people who come under the executive order so that is a policy change as opposed to the issuance of Work Visas which is an executive order.
there is a common thread here carried out by liberal and conservative alike...if you don't have a good idea to solve the problem, insult, degrade, denigrate, name-call, pass judgement, vilify, harangue anyone who might disagree with you...
for all of you...what part of ILLEGAL do you not understand? the presence of illegals is not excused by the fact that they may pick my tomatoes. illegal=illegal=illegal. do we start excusing petty theft? other crimes?
If American weren't so lazy, we wouldn't have illegal immigrant problems. They are willing to do that work that is considered beneath us arrogant Americans. Wake up America!! We are our own worst enemy!
Why can't we just enforce minimum wage where ever or who ever you are. If you sell goods in this country, you have to abide by our labor laws. Period, no exceptions, whether the person is illegal or legal, in china or here. You would find that most of the employers, if they have to pay the same, would rather have an honest, English speaking American. Most of them would bring the work back here instead of paying freight from China, and we would know that all of our food and products are being made by people making decent wages and actually being able to live on what they make! It's the right thing to do!
Mitt-do you think Hispanics are crazy? All year during the primary you said, "I will veto the Dream Act", and they will self-deport. Mitt explain to me how Obama's action will make a long term solution harder? I don't expect an answer because on "Face the Nation" you had several times to answer the question as to your solution. We are all aware that should you actually take a position on anything the right wing of your party who really don't trust you will guarantee a loss. So continue to keep your candidacy a secret hoping that the public will fall for it.
Please do not be to quick to jump on the band wagon "immigrants are taking our jobs" when it is businesses who are hiring them. This step merely give them some cover until a real solution can be had. Currently in Congress there is a effort to increase the minimum wage to $10 I'm sure you know how far that will go especially while there is a greater effort in cutting food stamps and to think they would actually increase the minimum wage.
I see all the lefties still haven't (or won't) found work since they have the time to post their tripe. Too busy collecting food stamps to find work. Did you know that if Fat er I mean Fiesty Redhead wore high heels she'd strike oil?
The Truth- I see you have some time on your hands too. You must not use your name because you are widely known for your work ethic. Oh (I work for myself and have owned my own company for years so if you think I am a "lazy lefty" you are mistaken). My God it almost tempting to put you conservatives in change and as an independent I would vote for Romney because he wants it so bad and for conservatives if they would just promise to shut the hell up.
The problem is that they never shut up. This same rhetoric has persisted for 100 years. Same old take our guns away, taxes are too high, government needs to get out of the way, regulations are bad and if you don't like it you're a communist. It amazes me how gullible these people are. It will not change.
Truth....sounds like a grammar class is in line for you
"still haven't (or won't) found work" WON'T FOUND WORK??
It is so apparent that Governor Romney has absolutely zero convictions. Just 6 weeks ago he stated, in public and it is on tape, that he thought the Arizona immigration law should be a model for the nation. 6 weeks prior to that, in public and on tape, he stated he would veto the Dream Act is he was President. He stated that the President should have brought this up sooner. In 2010 the Congress brought up the Dream Act and Republicans would not let it come up for a vote. It is scary that this guy can say anything and I think he believes it. He is a classical pathological liar.
And what would you classify Obama as? Maybe a "Dictator in Chief"? Maybe a criminal?
No, David, he is President of the United States, whether you like it or not.
Be sure to watch his 2nd Inauguration on TV, Jan 20,2013....Mitt will be watching too.
America vote a straight Democratic Ticket.
And then stand on the unemployment line and collect your food stamps, then welfare ...
David:
Don't lose your place on line.
Absolute insanity to vote party lines only. That is a job for dead democrats.
Yes according to him Arizona is a model of immigration reform that all states should follow
At a bilateral meeting in Los Cabos, Mexican president Felipe Calderón thanked President Obama for his Friday announcement not to prosecute young illegal immigrants:
I would like to thank personally, and on behalf of the Mexican nation, President Barack Obama for his valuable decision by executive order to give an opportunity for young people who were not born in the United States but who arrived in that great nation before they were 16 years of age, or who are studying in university, or who have served in the United States armed forces, for them not to be deported for at least a period of two years, so this is a clear and certain situation for them.
We believe that this is very just. It's a humanitarian action. And it's an unprecedented action in our opinion. And in this sense, Mr. President, we would like to thank you for the valor and courage that you had in implementing this action. I am sure that many, many families in the United States of America are thankful to you as well.
And there you have it-if it's good for Mexico it's good for the democrats...
Romney and Marco Rubio (a Latino) have been touring the country presenting this very policy as a Republican plan - So Obama implemented it for them. So if its good for Mexico, its good for the Republicans.
Rubio had a plan (badly defined) which the GOP did not like. They did not like the DREAM Act either. However, Romney wanted to keep hold of some Latino voters, so he comes out hesitantly in support of Rubio, somewhat. It was a ruse. At the same time, to keep the GOP base happy, he called real immigration reform legislation (The DREAM Act) a "handout" and tells all illegal Latinos to self-deport. He straddled the fence, made no declarative statements - other than "handout" and "self-deport" - and now he has been played and put in a bad spot. It took him four hours to come out with a non-response response to Obama on Friday, and then was his old slippery self on Sunday. I would imagine Latinos know exactly where he is coming from. And it is all on tape.
Face it, the GOP wanted to pretend they were concerned about immigration reform to attract some of the Latino vote (well, enough to keep Obama's numbers down), and run out the clock until November. Now, Romney will probably have to come up with something concrete. Both Latinos and the GOP base will be eager to hear what he has to say. Dear, oh dear, what's a pandering, flip-flopper to do? Show some political courage? I doubt it.
Luckily for him, the imminent ACA decision will probably save him for now. However, he will still need to have some answers ready for the debates, if not before.
Mitt's latest flip-flop....all in one paragraph! First he admits to economic recovery, then claims Obama had nothing to do with it! He will probably take credit for it as he did with GM and Osama bin Laden!!!
As he has in recent days, Romney tweaked his stump speech a bit to acknowledge the reality that the economy has shown signs of improvement since Obama took office in 2009. But, speaking to a small group of supporters on "The Spirit of Dubuque," Romney said Obama doesn't deserve credit for any recovery.
We are in a recovery since June 2009 and it is the slowest on record, so if the President wants credit for that he should get it. We are growing now at under 2% a year, we also have around 40 straight months of unemployment over 8% and lowest workforce participation in 30 years, so what does he deserve credit for?
I know when he became President things were really bad but his policies have slowed the recovery and the proof is in the numbers.
Jerry: Where do you thnk we would be if Jr had four more years or if McCain was elected. Better read up on McCain's old economic proposals, and then tell the world where they were different then the current bozo's.
If Romney sticks with the GOP in the House and Senate this will happen again
House passed Dream Act 2009
http://www.dreamact2009.org/HOUSEBILL1751-TEXT.html
Senate GOP filibustered Dream act 2009
http://dreamact.info/forum/showthread.php?t=10013
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/21/dream-act-durbin-attacks-_n_733828.html
Both of them make me sick. Obama for gay marriage to get the Gay vote. Obama for the immigrants to get the Spanish vote. Romney chiming in about the immigrants to get the Spanish votes. Both of them talking about "jobs" as if they, in their wildest dreams could have anything to do about jobs. This economy will self correct as it always has and one or the other will take credit for it. I'm so mad I could just spit at the way these career politicians (not just these two, but every senator and congressman) pander, lie and play games with us and our money in order to keep their high paying jobs with benefits the rest of us would die to have. I hope Romney wins and the Democrats take the house and senate and make Romney's life as miserable as the Republicans have made Obama's. By the way, I have voted conservative for most of my life. Also, I am in favor of gay marriage. I am all for an influx of immigrants from anywhere if they come in the legal way, and I think we need to deal with the current immigrants in a thoughtful way. You bet your bottom dollar that the number of illegals that are in this country were able to get in easily because your elected officials kept their heads turned. Most of them really do fulfill a need and really do pay taxes. It is only because the economy is so bad and so many Americans are out of work that we blame the illegals for "taking American jobs". Most of us wouldn't do the work they are willing to do. It won't matter who you vote for anymore. But vote for someone. Even yourself. Then you will have the right to complain about whoever is elected.
Want to live here, pay your dues and do it legally and please learn the language.
Respect our laws and our people. Immigration has to be controlled.
There is a reason why people leave one country to live in another and its usually not because its better where they left.
Allowing mass immigration without control will depreciate what our ancestors worked so hard to create.
As far as Mitt and Obama running in Nov. OMG, with ALL of the people in this country is that the best we can do?
It is a good thing the Republicans do not pander to any races, or anything like that,right?
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison plans to introduce a measure Tuesday that would make a NATIONAL HOLIDAY out of a little-known observance.
The Texas Republican's resolution would designate June 19 as Juneteenth Independence Day, recognizing the June 19, 1865, reading of an order that officially freed the slaves in Texas, a state that had resisted the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.
The Federal Government needs to enforce the law. Deport all illegal aliens, secure the border and fine anyone who hires an illegal alien. That is the law.
And how do you propose we round up all 12 million and deport them?
No jobs,
No free education,
No food stamps,
No welfare,
No drivers license,
No rental agreements,
may as well go back home...
Self Deportation works with little cost.
And why are businesses punished more when an employee is found to have presented false paperwork?
The original law breaker is just let go. Same as jumping the border, they give you free food, water & a nice ride back across the border to try it again some day.
Really!!!! What makes him think he will do any better than the last four or five administration's. Every time a proposal has been submitted it has been shot down. If he really believes he can accomplish this he is dumber than I first thought he was.
Romney never answered the question if he would do away with the Obama doctrine of allowing children of undocumented workers to stay here if they are citizens or have complied with all the pre-requisites outlined by Obama. He's begun to him and haw over these issues, so he's just not sure how he would address this contentious issue. I believe it's more than decide the election, it is taking back our country from extremist. The main problem is getting everyone registered to vote in November. It has been my contention that the bigotry and prejudice have devastated decency in America just for one reason. Obama is a black man who won the presidency. Sam Donaldson hit it on the mark that "people do not oppose Obama on principles or politics, but merely because he's black." Why else would the TEA party have sprung up so quickly were it not for the well-spring of resentment towards the winner over McCain. White America was dumbfounded when McCain lost and even more perplexed when Obama made great inroads into stabilizing our economy against all the headwinds he was receiving. Mitch McConnell said his primary goal was to make Obama a one term president. It must be told loudly and vociferously to all that many using the (R) behind their name are actually (T)'s in disguise and (T)'s want to destroy and eliminate of all Social Programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc.