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Giuliani, Romney Spar on Immigration

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November 28, 2007 8:34 PM

ABC News' Ed O'Keefe Reports: Squaring off in a Florida debate, Republican contenders came out swinging on the controversial issue of immigration.

Watch the video HERE.

"The reality is that New York City was not a sanctuary city," former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, R-N.Y., said in response to a question posed by Ernie Nardi of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, New York, during the CNN/YouTube debate.

Former Governor Mitt Romney, R-Mass., quickly took issue with Giuliani's contention.

"(New York) called itself a sanctuary city.  And as a matter of fact, when the welfare reform act that President Clinton brought forward said that they were going to end the sanctuary policy of New York City, the mayor actually brought a suit to maintain its sanctuary city status," romney contended.

Things got ugly from there.

"It's unfortunate, but Mitt generally criticizes people in a situation in which he's had far the -- worst record ... there was even a sanctuary mansion.  At his own home, illegal immigrants were being employed, not being turned into anybody or by anyone."

Romney shot back, "I think it is really kind of offensive actually to suggest, to say look, you know what, if you are a homeowner and you hire a company to come provide a service at your home -- paint the home, put on the roof. If you hear someone that is working out there, not that you have employed, but that the company has."

Later in the debate, Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo, who has centered his campaign on the issue of immigration, got in the act saying he was happy the discussion began on his central topic.

"They're trying to out Tancredo, Tancredo," the Congressman said with a laugh on an otherwise heated Republican debate stage.

JOIN THE DEBATE WITH ABC NEWS' RICK KLEIN LIVE BLOGGING AT THE REPUBLICAN DEBATE NOW

And you can read the latest from the campaign trail every morning in the The Note.

November 28, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (16)

User Comments

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Romney was telling the truth and history will prove it. Giuliani did bring suit against the clinton white house when they tried to end GIULIANIs SANTUARY CITY. I'm glad Romney said it. Too bad Romney employed illegals to work at his home and he even fought the government at that time as well because he wanted his illegal workers at SLAVE WAGES.

Posted by: angeles | Nov 28, 2007 10:35:40 PM

The Mayor would not have made these statements about Mitt without some supporting data. The staff in Mitt's Governor mansion is his own responsibility if some of the staff were illegal immigrants. So Mitt, start digging out the records, because you got hit hard.

Posted by: jupiterviews | Nov 28, 2007 10:39:40 PM

Who cares neither one of these two nitwits is going to win in November 2008...It is OVER for the Republicans what part of that don't they understand??? And they can thank their Liar In Chief...

Posted by: Joe MUrphy | Nov 28, 2007 10:43:06 PM

Who cares neither one of these two nitwits is going to win in November 2008...It is OVER for the Republicans what part of that don't they understand??? And they can thank their Liar In Chief...
Posted by: Joe MUrphy | Nov 28, 2007 10:43:06 PM

I love how the democrats poke fun at Bush as "the decider" and then decide what America thinks and how they will vote for them. Bush isnt the decider YOU ARE.

Posted by: Steven | Nov 28, 2007 10:47:14 PM

Romney nor Giuliani could give a straight answer. When it came to the bible, giuliani stumbled over his words because there is one thing no matter what that he will never follow. 'THOU SHALT NOT COMMITT ADULTRY that is why he stumbled. Huckeby, Thompson, Romney and the others were able to understand and answer straight.
But Romney stumbled when it came to the TOURTURE issue. Only McCain had the right answers and that was because he knew the laws with the Geneva convention, he knew the laws which our country the U.S.A. established regarding that issue, and he knew of the methods that are clearly established with our military by our laws. It is all outlined. And anytime anyone tries to use their own methods, they violate the laws which have long been established. That is why the persons who were involved in the incident in the Iraq prison were ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL and were courtmartial, REMEMBER? One can also apreciate the wisdom of Thompson. See, younger and prettier does not mean more intelligent.

Posted by: angeles | Nov 28, 2007 11:08:35 PM

It's about time the immigrtion issue was brought to the forefront. The candidate that stops dancing around the issue and is MAN enough to stand up against it is the candidate that gets my vote.

Posted by: chop1 | Nov 28, 2007 11:09:23 PM

Who cares, they are both so lame it stinks. Ron Paul is the ONLY Republican candidate that stands a chance against Hilary. Ron Paul has the correct view about the war. Hopefully the American public will wake up to the drivel being handed them by the status quo and realize that the reason Paul seems so strange is BECAUSE HE IS HONEST and the other candidates are bought and paid for before the game began!

Posted by: tim yonker | Nov 28, 2007 11:17:17 PM

The battle between Romney and Giuliani is laughable. The only presidential candidates in either major party that really support sovereignty are Thompson and Paul. The rest just argue about the speed of surrender to Mexico.

Posted by: Royce | Nov 28, 2007 11:40:32 PM

John McCain is dreaming for a United Nation Post for him to keep bringing up the Geneva Convention.I hope he realize he's running for the job of President of the United States.

Posted by: kmjjp | Nov 29, 2007 2:58:22 AM

Winner and true Conservative on tonights'debate,Mitt Romney.

Posted by: kmjjp | Nov 29, 2007 3:40:49 AM

Great debate for some candidates like McCain and Thompson - I was not able to view the entire debate but I recall a question of which departments would the candidates reduce to assist with balancing the national debt, or something similar. I remember Ron Paul stating he would reduce the Department of Education, and maybe IRS? Frankly, Ron Paul answer stunned me - you have to be selfish to reduce the Department of Education. If you truly want to change America and steer Americans in the right direction the key and the only key is education for those who truly want to attend. Student Assistance reductions only make hardships for students that need assistance. This reduction would hinder America's future. I say no to Ron Paul's reduction. If you want to reduce, try obtaining a committee consisting of senior students from the top 10 Universities and let them review the U.S.'s expenses. I bet you they can streamline and find ridiculous spending in the millions that are not necessary at all. I disagree with this option – reduction for student loans is wrong. In the end, it will not matter what any Republican candidate believes because in the end I do not believe there will be another Republican president in office for the next term. It is incomprehensible.

Posted by: sue from texas | Nov 29, 2007 9:24:01 AM

If these two morons, ever attack anyone for "flip-flopping", I'll throw a shoe at my TV. Neither deserve the nomination for their mud-tussle last night. Perhaps they could get spots on a seniors version of the UFC.

Posted by: Uniblogger | Nov 29, 2007 9:38:50 AM

kmjjp: What were you watching?
If pigs started flying last night,
Romney won! They didn't!
Romney is a Conservative as of what,
this year! This guy is the perfect candidate for Hillary Clinton because he
negates the "flip-flopper issue!
By the way Ronald Reagan would never have attacked fellow republicans as Romney has! He's just like Hillary!
Say or do whatever it takes to win, regardless of the truth!

Posted by: reaganfan | Nov 29, 2007 11:31:25 AM

Romney is a clear cut winner at the GOP Youtube debate.

Posted by: kmjjp | Nov 29, 2007 1:38:14 PM

why is everything a "war" to you people?! yes, there is a problem and trouble around immigration, but wouldn't it be better addressed as 'a new legal immigrant program' that hasn't been successful yet? "wars on proverty", you know what it looks like? check any face of any hungry person or child, same thing...check the run down towns and city streets..check out america from the "inside" and you'll not know who's fighting what or who anymore...you know how to fight poverty? like an alcoholic! our government has to admit there's a problem first and take the first step! the non-profit organizations shouldn't have to take all the repsonsiblity those people have been saddled with and with their own money and ours to boot! next time the phone rings and you hear they're collecting for the homeless or the hungry, by all means ask who, and check them out first, but there's a need like you wouldn't believe for all you hear about and it's not propaganda and it's not expoitation..i've seen it myself! next time you want to wage war, make sure sure you have an objective and a goal..something we can win at..you forgot to deligate the authority up there on 'the hill' and pass out the directives..maybe you'll have a name for it by the next election..'humanitarianism', my vote!

Posted by: gwenn | Dec 5, 2007 2:25:34 AM

Here is the truth. No candidate is going to be perfect, but the only republican who has a chance to
win the white house is Guilani, He's a moderate and best suited to be tough on terrorism.
Ray

Posted by: Ray | Dec 18, 2007 9:46:04 PM

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