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Bush Calls Immigration Bill "Amnesty"
June 26, 2007 10:18 AM
ABC News' Rick Klein reports: President Bush has spent a whole lot of time in recent months claiming that the immigration bill isn't "amnesty."
But in describing the measure Tuesday morning, an apparent slip of the tongue suggested otherwise -- providing fodder for the talk-radio crowd that loathes the bill and wants it defeated in the Senate.
"You know, I've heard all the rhetoric -- you've heard it, too -- about how this is amnesty. Amnesty means that you've got to pay a price for having been here illegally, and this bill does that," Bush said, according to the official White House transcript.
This just might get the attention of Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh -- and it's terrible timing for the president, with a key vote in the Senate Tuesday afternoon.
UPDATE: At 11:43 am, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow released a statement saying the president "misspoke."
The statement reads:
"This has been construed as an assertion that comprehensive immigration reform legislation before the Senate offers amnesty to immigrants who came here illegally. That is the exact opposite of the president’s long-held and often-stated position.
"President Bush has noted repeatedly that the comprehensive reform he supports is not an amnesty bill. Amnesty means forgiving wrongdoing without imposing punishment. The immigration reforms passed in 1986 granted amnesty. The legislation under consideration this year does not. This measure imposes significant punishments on those who came to this country illegally between 1986 and the beginning of this year. In fact, the White House website addresses the myth that the measure is amnesty. For more, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070608-10.html."
June 26, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (397)
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The puppetmasters must have gotten their strings crossed again. Hold on, just one moment while we correct the problem.
Posted by: chris | Jun 26, 2007 11:02:34 AM
The next President - of whatever party - had best be a better communicator and leader than this one.
I am tossing in the towel on this President. I am tired of garbled words and messages, speaking gaffes, misplaced loyalty to appointees like Rumsfeld, and desultory efforts of leadership.
And I am tired of our servant leaders blaming us who support him when things get tough.
Later, Mr. President.
Posted by: hunter | Jun 26, 2007 11:02:49 AM
He obviously meant that amnesty means that you DON'T have to pay a price for being here illegally. Don't be ridiculous.
Posted by: Katie Berry | Jun 26, 2007 11:03:36 AM
What an idiot. I guess that Carl Rove wasn't there to put his hand over the moron's mouth.
Posted by: Roboto | Jun 26, 2007 11:04:59 AM
I voted for him twice and am so disgusted with him over this... I hope to hell that this bill doesn't get out of this vote today in the Senate.
Posted by: Paul | Jun 26, 2007 11:05:07 AM
President Bush knows what he is doing is wrong..He's so caught up in his legacy and in the money he's going to make from the corporations he schilling for that he really just doesn't care about the USA, its laws, its people, or its sovernity....I would hope that House Republicans might move for his impeachment...This would stop the bill and neutralize him.
Posted by: Kevin | Jun 26, 2007 11:05:42 AM
I too voted twice for him. What did it for me was appointing a czar to handle our current wars in progress. I thought that was what the commander in chief was supposed to do. He is weaker and more irrelevant than ever.
Make a statement next November...vote against all incumbents, especially amnesty bill supporters.
Posted by: mike e | Jun 26, 2007 11:05:57 AM
Is there anyone more incompetant than this man? To think that conservatives are still carrying his water is beyond me.
Posted by: MJJP | Jun 26, 2007 11:06:23 AM
Not only has he lost me on the amnesty bill but he no longer has my support for the war. With someone so dumb leading the war effort we need to get our troops out as soon as possible.
Posted by: Cam Tidwell | Jun 26, 2007 11:06:39 AM
Stop this madness. Somebody tell Bush he is making a HUGE mistake for our country by pusuing this. We will be flooded with illegals!
Posted by: Don Hayes | Jun 26, 2007 11:06:58 AM
What's the price? Security Security credits for undocumented work or only paying 3 of 5 years taxes.
It a disgrace.
Posted by: Robert | Jun 26, 2007 11:07:50 AM
I'm finally glad G.W. can't put 5 words together without flubbing! If this passes, this admin. will tank not only Repubs. but the country. Check Mexico's immigration laws. Prison Prison and Prison for almost any violation. But G.W. wants us to be compassionate chumps!
Posted by: George Franklin | Jun 26, 2007 11:08:00 AM
Bush should represent LEGAL AMERICANS - Not ILLEGAL LAWBREAKERS. NO TO SHAMNESTY! HE IS RUINING OUR COUNTRY, CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW!
Posted by: AM | Jun 26, 2007 11:08:36 AM
President promised to unite Democrats and Republicans.
And he has done that, both hate him equally.
Is there anyone else left, that this president has not alienated?
This bill is amnesty they know it, we know it.
The arrogance of Bush and those in the Senate rivals that of Rome at the time of the Fall. Corrupted by corporate money, seduced by the establishment’s shine, their egos inflated by the crooning of the mainstream media, they just don’t care what the people think—they believe they know what’s best for us and for America.
The American people have told them overwhelming that they want a secure border. Something that could be done today with existing laws.
Posted by: Jerry Hicks | Jun 26, 2007 11:08:37 AM
I am an immigrant that came to this country the legal way. I am appalled that the President is supporting a bill that frankly states that people who broke the law are granted stay. It is unfair and illegal. The president is way in over his head. If he thinks that this bill will grant him favoritism he is dead wrong. He does not listen to the will of the people.
Posted by: JennyC | Jun 26, 2007 11:08:48 AM
I can't believe I voted for this doofus--TWICE! I am so disgusted by him. Unfortunately, long after his goofy self is back in Crawford, Republicans will be left to pick up the pieces of his disastrous presidency.
Posted by: Rachel | Jun 26, 2007 11:08:55 AM
I'd like to see any of YOU in front of the television cameras -- every President misspeaks -- as a substantive question for anyone opposing the immigration bill: when you pay a fine and go to traffic school for your speeding ticket, do you think that is amnesty too?
Posted by: Dick Morris | Jun 26, 2007 11:10:11 AM
The Village Idiot does it again. Hey maybe the amnesty is gonna help the illegals practice their love with their employers.
Posted by: Al Rantel | Jun 26, 2007 11:10:25 AM
Whatever you want to call the bill doesn't matter. 70-80% of the American people do not support it. But once again politicians will bribe each other with OUR money to get it passed.
Posted by: MA | Jun 26, 2007 11:10:28 AM
This slip of the tongue doesn't mean anything. His arrogance to the working-class that they don't know what's in the bill or that they're bigots for not supporting it is what's disgusting.
Posted by: Ron Burr | Jun 26, 2007 11:11:08 AM
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