LBN: Kerry lambastes Bush, GOP-backed immigration bill

[MH1]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2214621&mesg_id=2214621

http://www.dailycomet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060407/APN/604070894

April 07. 2006 3:27PM

Kerry lambastes Bush, GOP-backed immigration bill

By BETH FOUHY
AP Political Writer


A defiant Sen. John Kerry on Friday lashed out against President Bush and his team of advisers, calling them "the Katrina Administration" and "the most incompetent people I've ever seen."

The Massachusetts Democrat and 2004 presidential nominee also suggested Republicans hope to scuttle comprehensive immigration legislation pending in the U.S. Senate in order to prevent immigrants from becoming voters.

Kerry made the remarks via teleconference at a breakfast gathering of the National Action Network, an advocacy group founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who competed against Kerry in the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries. Kerry had been expected to attend the breakfast in person but canceled because of votes on the immigration legislation in Washington.

Kerry criticized a bill passed in the U.S. House late last year that would criminalize illegal immigrants and those who offer them assistance, echoing controversial comments made last month by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who said the legislation would penalize "even Jesus himself."

"Jesus reached out to the poor, the sick, the prisoners and the lame," Kerry said. "The notion that people in the church who help people who are here illegally would somehow be criminalized would be to say they can't even walk in the footsteps of the teachings of the Scriptures."

(snip...follow link for the rest of the article)

[WildEyedLiberal]

1. Those comments are brilliant

People need to stop looking elsewhere to find a candidate who appeals to liberal Christians. Kerry's words speak to the heart of Christ's message.

[MH1]

2. Yes.

But keep an eye on that thread...some folks just don't want to talk about what he said today. If you know what I mean.

[karynnj]

3. I really like the way he said this

I like it much better than saying it would make Jesus a criminal.

[wisteria]

4. The comments flow nicely and thats important. n/t

[TayTay]

5. That was very good.

The comments were relevent to the issue at hand. It really is ironic and cruel for the Rethuglican House, and especially for the members who are so supported by the RW Churches to go out and criminalize charity.

This article states this in a clear way that really does read great.

[ProSense]

6. NYT: Kerry Sharply Criticizes Bush on Several Fronts

Kerry Sharply Criticizes Bush on Several Fronts
By PATRICK HEALY
Published: April 8, 2006

Senator John Kerry made a slashing attack on the Bush administration yesterday, comparing it to the faltering government in Iraq and equating its war strategy with its planning for Hurricane Katrina, while also invoking Jesus as he criticized federal Medicaid policy.

Snip...

"The Bush administration is wondering when Iraq will have a functioning government. I want to know when we're going to have a functioning government," Mr. Kerry said, according to a transcript of his remarks.

Mr. Kerry, who was sometimes criticized as stiff and dour during the 2004 campaign, got several laughs, Mr. Sharpton said. At one point, Mr. Kerry, who has had his verbose moments, offered "a little 10-point plan" in response to complaints that neither Democrats nor Republicans have an agenda for the nation.

"Tell the truth. Fire the incompetents. Find Osama bin Laden and secure our ports and our homeland. Bring our troops home from Iraq. Obey the law and protect our civil rights," Mr. Kerry said in ticking off his list, which also included supporting health care, education, lobbying reform and alternatives to oil, as well as reducing the deficit.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/08/washington/08kerry.html