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Bush Warns GOP to Avoid 'Anti-Immigrant' Label

January 11, 2009 12:16 PM

ABC News' Tahman Bradley Reports: President Bush said the Republican Party should remain open-minded about immigration reform and not adopt an "anti-immigrant" message as it tries to bounce back from election defeats.

Bush backed a bill in the 110th Congress that would have increased border enforcement while also providing legal status and a path to citizenship for the 12 million or so illegal immigrants currently living in the U.S. Even with strong support from the White House and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., several prominent Republicans came out against the bill, and the immigration reform compromise fell apart during the summer of 2007.

"It's very important for our party not to narrow its focus - not to become so inward looking that we drive people away from a philosophy that is compassionate and decent," said Bush.

"And we should be open-minded about big issues like immigration reform, because if we're viewed as anti-somebody -- in other words, if the party is viewed as anti-immigrant -- then another fellow may say, 'Well, if they're against the immigrant, they may be against me.' We've got to be a party for a better future."

The outgoing president made his comments on "Fox News Sunday".

January 11, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (50)

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This is the whole problem with the two faced Republican party. They clearly can't stand immigrants, but they put on a political face that says they are on their side. This type of politicking happesn on both sides of the aisle, but the Republicans take it to the exteme on major issues, unlike the Dems. What they don't understand is that there is a younger more informed generation that is upon us, and they can see right through these type of smoke screens. This is the information age, as opposed to the "keep them in the dark age" that Republicans thrived on for years.

Posted by: JRS | Jan 11, 2009 12:30:14 PM

The sad part of Bush's comments are that, to him "a better future" is not a better way of life for Americans, it is a future where more people vote Republican. Money and power are what they are all about.

Posted by: JRS | Jan 11, 2009 12:32:19 PM

Thank you President Bush. You have been a great President. You have kept us safe - your morals are outstanding - you are a family man and God Bless you in what you do next. You were not a Rock Star, you never tried to be - Yes, I am a Republican, but even if I wasn't, I would have voted for you. May your days be Happy and Bright and know you were great. CNN asks peoples advice and then makes the poll be whatever they want it to be. ABC is totally gone crazy and Fox and Friends are the only TV station to watch. I know you will be happy back in Texas, after all, it is the best place to live.

Posted by: Jane | Jan 11, 2009 12:54:37 PM

President Bush you hae been a great President. God will surely bless you for all you have done to keep us safe these past years. God will be good to you and Mrs. Bush as you return to your beloved Texas. Thank you again and again. The polls come from CNN and ABC, where they make them be what they want them to be. You have made us proud to be an American and not for the first time either.

Posted by: Jane | Jan 11, 2009 1:03:40 PM

No one is anti immigrant, we are anti illegal imigrant. How many fickin times do we have to say it. HELLO - what kind of stupid is this??? He sure isnt doing JEB any favors - he already has lost my vote.

Posted by: md | Jan 11, 2009 1:06:47 PM

They are also anti-Palestinian

Posted by: Joe | Jan 11, 2009 1:57:55 PM

Of course Mr. Bush doesn't care about overrunning our country with illegal immigrants. He doesn't have to worry about his neighborhood being infested by gangs, the decline of his children's school, closing emergency rooms, declining wages or a social service system that has been so overwhelmed, it cannot meet the needs of American born citizens. We'll be happy to welcome illegals Mr. Bush, if you agree that they all move into your town.

Posted by: Kelly | Jan 11, 2009 2:00:02 PM

In this case, Bush is right. We very much need illegal worker legislation that is fair and compehensive. This would include border security. This would benefit the USA and the illegal worker.

Sadly, the GOP has not learned its lesson. Republican senators in the State of Texas Senate have filed bills that would cancel an employer's right to do business in TX should these folks be found in his employ. The same bills became law in AZ. This resulted in huge losses to AZ in the agricultural and business development fiels. Consultants specialzing in helping firms relocate have crossed AZ off their lists; AZ had to develop a state worker program and many conventions have cancelled their bookings in AZ. If TX does pass like legislation, TX econmy will be hurt big time.

Posted by: beto | Jan 11, 2009 2:19:53 PM

TOO LATE.....georgie boy !!!!

Repubs are seen as the anti-immigrant, anti-minority, anti-intelligent,and anti-common sense.

And as long as they keep these attitudes they are going to be.....ANTI-WHITE HOUSE !!!!

Posted by: John McNugget | Jan 11, 2009 2:37:36 PM

Democrats is known as the BLACK party

Posted by: Edgar Cayce | Jan 11, 2009 2:40:16 PM

The problem is NOT immigration, it's Illegial immigration. The record of illegial immigration has shown that it has exploded 70 percent since 1945. Bottom line, there isn't enough money to cover benefits for all American citizens even if you exclude all illegial immigrants. The system is Bankrupt! Social security is Bankrupt! How does adding more dependents make it solvent? It doesn't! This isn't even racist, this is a wake up call to fiscal SANITY! We can keep the number of illegial immigration and let it expand... but are you willing to sacrifice public works, health care, and all of the other daily services YOU depend on, so some people can bring their entire families over here, and instead of investing that money HERE, send it back to their own countries? That's ok if you agree with that, but don't call people racists for bringing up this VERY REAL dilemma. Perhaps you should see what the US Comptroller David Walker had to say about this very problem. Do you think a guy appointed by Clinton is racist for making these points about the insolvency of our current fiscal crisis??? DEBT IS bi-partisan!!! Government exists to perpetuate itself be it with Democrats (social spending) OR Republicans (military spending) in office. The state's loyalty is the STATE, NOT YOU! The sooner people realize that, and actually hold their representatives accountable for their actions... the sooner we can eliminate wasteful spending and get our economic house in order.

Posted by: hmn... | Jan 11, 2009 3:29:37 PM

beto is right about the legislation also in AZ that takes away a businesses' license if they are found to be employing illegals. However I totally disagree with beto's conclusion. This legislation has helped immensely discourage illegals from coming here to work. There was a report recently that apartment rates have gone back down because the illegals are leaving. Before it had been going up and up quickly. There are more jobs for legal citizens now and all around it is better here. Thank you Governor Nepolitano for pushing this legislation through!
Oh yeah, Bush is WAY wrong on this issue.

Posted by: Rod M | Jan 11, 2009 3:29:46 PM

The republican party is a complete mess !!!

Posted by: Debra | Jan 11, 2009 3:36:04 PM

There is a HUGE difference between LEGAL immigration and ILLEGAL immigration.

Example for all you that can't understand.
GOOD:
You invite guests to come stay at your house. They stay for a while and leave.
This is LEGAL! This is NO PROBLEM, CORRECT?
BAD:
People just show the crap up and make themselves at home. THE POLICE will not make them leave. This is ILLEGAL! THIS IS A PROBLEM, CORRECT?

Posted by: ajax | Jan 11, 2009 3:43:04 PM

Great analogy ajax. Illegal immigration has bankrupted California and I don't understand why people refuse to differentiate between legal and illegal immigration. I am all for LEGAL immigration. Wait your turn, learn the language and be willing and able to support yourself without taxpayer subsidies and I welcome you with open arms. Crash through the borders, drop a kid and force us to support you and the rest of your family and I want you deported ASAP. It really is that simple.

Posted by: Kelly | Jan 11, 2009 3:56:57 PM

jane----bush should be in jail for wwar crimes and for crimes against the american people(working class and poor he has been wonderfull for the rich) bush will get to explain all his evils soemday to god just before god sends him down to see all his fellow republicans in he**. republicans have lost there way.

Posted by: T | Jan 11, 2009 4:27:32 PM

T.
You are pathetic. Bush is a christian, and I can assume you surely are not. What a mess you must be.

Posted by: Jane | Jan 11, 2009 4:46:57 PM


T.
You are pathetic. Bush is a christian, and I can assume you surely are not. What a mess you must be.

Posted by: Jane
===========================
Isn't Ted Haggard a christian also?


Posted by: V for Vendetta | Jan 11, 2009 4:59:23 PM

jane--- i am a christain and i know bush cant be he ahs destroyed the working class and poor he started a war that has killed thousands, and he ahs walked all over our constituion. oh and it is so funny how all you repukelicans when yyou hear truths you just lash out and call people names like you did to me. i doubt god will forgive haters like you.

Posted by: T | Jan 11, 2009 5:28:57 PM

President Bush is right about immigration ... but so far the Democrats haven't done any more that the Republicans ... except run from the issue! Rather than focus on citizenship, the government should focus on some type of "guest-worker" legal status. Not every immigrant that comes to work here wants to be a citizen, but if we had a "guest-worker" status, all could be tracked and documented to make sure we don't let those with criminal backgrounds into the country.

Posted by: Cassandra WashingtonCa | Jan 11, 2009 6:07:56 PM

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