Dean Responds to Bush's PR Campaign on Immigration
May 15, 2006
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the President's address on immigration tonight:
"After more than five years of sitting on the sidelines it's noteworthy that tonight the President finally joined the call from Democrats for comprehensive immigration reform. Unfortunately, at a time when we needed real leadership, we once again heard a political PR campaign filled with an unrealistic short-term fix, rather than a detailed long term solution.
"Once again the President tried to hide the truth about his guest worker program, which would force immigrants into indentured servitude and fail to protect U.S. workers and their wages. For what little substance the President did offer, he left out critical answers on practicality and cost, at a time when our national debt and budget deficits are at record highs and our national guard is stretched thin.
"What's worse, the President failed to denounce the House Republicans' plan to criminalize immigrants, families, doctors, and even clergy, leaving many to question whether or not he will stand up to the extremists in his party.
"The President's lack of leadership and tonight's band-aid approach to border security was more of the same. The American people are looking for substance not sound bites. Democrats have been consistent and will continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform that is both tough and smart. That means reform that strengthens our borders. It means reform that protects U.S. workers and their wages, reunites families, and allows hard working immigrants who pay taxes and obey the law the opportunity to apply for the responsibilities of citizenship."
May 15, 2006
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the President's address on immigration tonight:
"After more than five years of sitting on the sidelines it's noteworthy that tonight the President finally joined the call from Democrats for comprehensive immigration reform. Unfortunately, at a time when we needed real leadership, we once again heard a political PR campaign filled with an unrealistic short-term fix, rather than a detailed long term solution.
"Once again the President tried to hide the truth about his guest worker program, which would force immigrants into indentured servitude and fail to protect U.S. workers and their wages. For what little substance the President did offer, he left out critical answers on practicality and cost, at a time when our national debt and budget deficits are at record highs and our national guard is stretched thin.
"What's worse, the President failed to denounce the House Republicans' plan to criminalize immigrants, families, doctors, and even clergy, leaving many to question whether or not he will stand up to the extremists in his party.
"The President's lack of leadership and tonight's band-aid approach to border security was more of the same. The American people are looking for substance not sound bites. Democrats have been consistent and will continue to fight for comprehensive immigration reform that is both tough and smart. That means reform that strengthens our borders. It means reform that protects U.S. workers and their wages, reunites families, and allows hard working immigrants who pay taxes and obey the law the opportunity to apply for the responsibilities of citizenship."
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