Gingrich’s Words on Immigration Become a Target

[alp227]

Source: NYT

An intense debate over immigration flared among the Republican presidential candidates on Wednesday as Mitt Romney declared that Newt Gingrich “offered a new doorway to amnesty” when he called for a “humane” immigration policy to avoid deportation for people who are deeply rooted in their churches and communities.

Mr. Romney, who is eager to stop the rise of Mr. Gingrich with the Iowa caucuses only six weeks away, signaled that he intended to go after his rival with the same vigor he used against Gov. Rick Perry of Texas two months ago when he said Republicans were “heartless” for standing in the way of offering education to children of illegal immigrants.

With the controversy likely to shape the next phase of the nominating fight, Mr. Romney repeatedly used the word “amnesty” during a campaign visit here to describe the position Mr. Gingrich outlined at a debate Tuesday night. While aides to Mr. Gingrich forcefully refuted the characterization of his plan as “amnesty,” a swift backlash erupted among conservative activists that could present the biggest test of his resurgent candidacy.

Representative Steve King of Iowa, a leading voice against illegal immigration, said he was puzzled that Mr. Gingrich had suddenly injected such a red-hot issue into his campaign. He said it was difficult to overstate how potent of a problem it could be for Mr. Gingrich, saying it set off “a viral discussion among activists.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/24/us/politics/newt-gingrichs-words-on-immigration-become-a-target.html?pagewanted=all

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Oh, is Gingrich really someone to speak of keeping families together, when he filed for divorce when his wife was being treated for cancer?

[msongs]

1. the mormon church actively recruits hispanic members. mitt better watch out nt

[jerseyjack]

2. That should finish Noot.

Bachmann will explain how silver-tongued Satin called upon the silver-haired one and told him that amnesty for illegals is a good idea.

Expect Bachmann to be back being the top ranked candidate in the polls. By now, the rubes have forgotten how stupid Bachmann is so she will be on top again for a couple of months.

[duhneece]

3. Newt pushing FOR families does seem peculiar

And compassionate...like I woke up in another world.

Still, I'm glad Newt spoke for families.

[3waygeek]

6. Of course Newt's in favor of families...

he's had quite a few of them.

[alp227]

7. I've seen studies showing how undocumented families stay together more often

than do US citizen families.

(this has been reprinted at DU sometimes): "Over 40 percent of undocumented adults are women, and the majority (54 percent) of undocumented men live in married couples or other families (Passel 2005). Fewer than half of undocumented men are single and unattached."

[lunatica]

4. Newt said that deliberately to get the news focus on him

Now everyone is about him and ignoring the others.

His modus operandi is to make his detractors and enemies mad so he can sound like the adult.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

5. Newt speaks with 'forked tongue'