As Dems lay low, GOP hits Obama on Arizona lawsuit

[TomCADem]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Republicans denounced the Obama administration's challenge of Arizona's new immigration law Tuesday, a fresh sign they may try to paint Democrats this fall as soft on illegal border crossings.

While Democrats stayed largely quiet, a host of Republicans said the federal government has no business challenging Arizona's new law. Slated to be implemented July 29, it would require state and local police to question and possibly arrest illegal immigrants during the enforcement of other laws such as traffic stops.

* * *
Republican President George W. Bush failed to persuade a GOP-controlled Congress to enact comprehensive changes that would have included pathways to legal status for millions of illegal immigrants. Democrats prospered in the next two elections, in 2006 and 2008, when immigration was a back-burner issue. In 2008, Republicans chose as their presidential nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona, once a champion of Bush's immigration efforts.

But McCain, like many other Republicans and some Democrats, has shifted to the right on the issue. Facing a tough GOP primary, McCain has run a campaign ad saying "complete the danged fence." Three years ago, he had dismissed the effectiveness of building a fence on the U.S.-Mexico border.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100706/ap_on_el_ge/us_immigration_lawsuit_politics

---

The federal government has no business litigating whether a State has the issue to pass laws punishing immigration status? That's a new one.

[pinboy3niner]

1. Not all dems are quiet

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) was the first to call for an Arizona boycott and he continues to be outspoken on the issue:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8700873

[TomCADem]

2. Good for Him! He Has Been Getting Threats From Republicans...

...So, good for him for showing courage in the face of all that hate.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

45. The GOP are going to lose the Latino vote so they are getting nasty

[O is 44]

4. Love the AP's one sided spin...NOT

I would love to know where all these concerned Republicans were during the Bush years. Obama has provided a large amount of reinforcements for the border that it is clear the Bush admin failed and this should be thrown right back in faces of the two despicable hypocrites from Arizona John McCain and Kyle.

[IndianaGreen]

7. Kudos to him!

and Booh! to the rest.

[No Elephants]

18. Maybe they meant non-Hispanic Dems who are not from Arizona?

[Celebration]

3. eh, Arizona made a big mistake

But I don't really think this should be challenged legally. Better to just institute a quiet boycott.

Let them figure out for themselves that this was a terrible idea. That keeps it out of the political arena, at least somewhat.

[pinboy3niner]

5. The boycott is working, but it won't stop the law from taking effect

The DOJ lawsuit--along with the other five suits--could result in an injunction to block the law before its July 29 effective date.

Don't worry--businesses in AZ already are feeling the pain, and 19 business groups in the state joined together to urge Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform.

[ProudDad]

14. As someone who lives in Arizona

and often DOES NOT CARRY PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP around...as a matter of principle...

And wouldn't like to have to spend hours or days in jail trying to figure out how I can prove I'm a citizen...

Nor would I want any of my brown brothers and sisters to have to do that crap...

THIS Stupid racist law MUST BE CHALLENGED LEGALLY -- and STRUCK DOWN!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------

You know, I heard crap like this in the South during Jim Crow. Southern crackers would say "We don't need no civil rights lawsuits from the feds messing up our steps toward inteegration!"

You might as well say back in 1964 "They screwed up. Let them crackers down in Georgia and Alabama and Mississippi figure out for themselves that Jim Crow is evil."

Arizona is currently ruled by the worst racists I've seen SINCE the old south, elected by white racists who retired here from all over the country (God, it seems we got most of those fuckers too!)... A bunch of old white fucks passed this law, not rational Arizonans -- the dregs of this benighted country passed this fucked up law...

AND WE'RE DAMN GRATEFUL FOR THE HELP FROM THE DOJ because rational human beings are in the distinct minority here!!!

[Steve20]

19. re

Pretty offensive.

[JonLP24]

32. No it's not

I can vouch for that. Look no further then Russell Pearce. He does attract a that type of following as well as others in this state. McCain and Hayworth's campaign is completely centered on this immigration thing. "Complete the dang fence." Buzz Mill showing someone climbing a desert mountain with the label Muderers in bright, bold red. Not all of the people of Arizona are bad of course. I don't consider myself one of them. :)

[profile this]

20. From Arizona:

Could not have said better myself. Thank you.

[dkf]

34. You don't carry your drivers license around?

You do realize that is the only paper you need right?

[profile this]

35. No. I do not carry

my driver's license around. I don't remember the last time I needed to show my driver's license to anyone. I don't drive due to a disability.

[dkf]

37. No state ID either?

It's fascinating how I seem to be presenting my ID almost every day lately and no one else has to. What is with that?

[profile this]

41. I think that is the

problem with this law. If it passes, we will have to carry id around. My teenager drives for me and when I buy something, I always and I mean always use a debit card. When I'm with my husband, we use his debit card. I don't have a cell phone either. I think people find that strange too.
But, that's me. Now, because people are afraid of illegals, I'm being forced to carry some force of ID. Will I need one when I go out for walks in the parks or go the farmer's market or go see my friends? That's just wrong.

[classysassy]

43. I agree with what you say

I live near the border between Bisbee and Sierra Vista,as you rightfully stated it seem every redneck in America has relocated to Arizona.All of the politicians seem to cater to the worst element in this state,the minute men,the tea party,and other garden variety racist.The politicians are a sad group of throw backs the old wild west loving red necks,I refer to them as the J gang,Jan,Joe,John,Jon and JD,all of them are a sad joke.add Russell Pearce,ster them up and you have a hornets nest of active fools.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. AP's writers and editors don't know the difference between "lie" and "lay"

The problem isn't illegal immigration. It's American education.

[pinboy3niner]

8. The copyeditor either missed it--or introduced it

At a university student newspaper long ago, student copyeditors made a couple dozen changes to a single news story-- and in every case, the original (correct) usage was changed to an incorrect usage. I was a tad upset at the time. It was my story. :)But they were students, not supposed professionals...

[DavidDvorkin]

9. That would have upset me more than a tad :)

But as you say, those were students. In this case, both writers and editors are professionals.

[dkf]

10. Obama is now responsible for all illegal immigrants.

It is now all on his head. He has claimed the entire debacle of enforcement.

[Psephos]

11. You seem to be the only one who understands that. n/t

[TomCADem]

12. Interesting Spin That Gives Republicans A Free Pass For Obstructing Immigration Reform

Plus, isn't immigration and border security supposed to be one of those uniquely federal responsibilities? Can you imagine if each State could enforce immigration and citizenship laws as it saw fit? We might as well return to the days of the Articles of Confederation.

[True_Blue]

13. I'm so embarrassed to live in AZ now

The carpetteabaggers are ruining this beautiful state.

[ProudDad]

15. It's tough but hang in there

We're going to out live them...

[profile this]

21. That's so true.

We will see a change in Arizona in the not too distant future. I'm sure of that.

[pinboy3niner]

23. Welcome to DU

Good, timely username for an Arizonan, especially in Maricopa, LOL.

Again, welcome profile this! :hi:

[classysassy]

16. True blue you speak the truth

the carpet/tea bags and hags are a disgraceful group of nuts and racists.The carpetbaggers are in control of the state,our lovely governor Jan"the hag"Brewer from Hollywood,Ca.Pearce the mad mormon is from utah, Sheriff Joe is from new england,both McCain and Kyl are from out of state,that loon J.D. Hayworth is from north carolina.The retired military men and women are mostly republicans/conseravative,brainwashed warmongers.I've lived here in southern arizona for over 42 years and this is the worst I've seen it.

[True_Blue]

17. I live in Pearce's district #18

and what a hell hole it has become. Urban blight is spreading like a cancer here. Abandoned shopping malls, grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, even the second hand store Savers on Dobson & Broadway closed down. You would think a second hand store would survive, but no not here. The only businesses that seem to be surviving right now are Circle Ks and payday loan places. It's so depressing when almost everyday you see a place you liked to shop or eat at become just another abandoned building.

Last January my friend and I decided to go shopping at Ross and we get there and it's closed down, so we decided to over to Marshalls instead and it was shut down too and we had shopped at both places in just Dec. No going out of business signs ... nothing. If you're going to go shopping in Mesa you'd better call ahead to make sure it's still in business. All we need right now is a boycott. to really put the icing on the cake.

It's not that the immigrants are taking the jobs here, it's that there are no jobs here. AZ lost around 200,000 manufacturing jobs over the last decade and I know construction and real estate has been hit really hard here too. I think they just want to blame the lack of jobs on immigrants. People don't seem to realize that immigrants shop, eat, rent and spend money here too. I remember in 2007 when they passed that strict employer law, a lot of immigrants left then and a lot of apartment complexes went into bankruptcy.

When Kyl made that remark about the unemployed not looking for work, I fired off an email to him inviting him to Mesa to have a look around since he seems to be so unaware of what is going on in his own state. We seriously need some Democrats here to fix this mess.

[profile this]

22. I live

in Maricopa County. I hate it here. It's depressing. As soon as I help the democrats win this November, I'm getting the hell out.

[True_Blue]

27. If the Democrats win then I'll stay

Then I'll have some hope. But I'm seriously considering leaving too if the repubs win. I can't take much more. I love AZ though. It has a charm like no other state and it's the Hispanic & Native American cultures here that give AZ it's charm.

Have you ever been to the sacred YAQUI Easter ceremony? Oh wow ... now that's what AZ is all about!
The stupid repubs here don't realize who their constituents really are or what the issues here really are.

[totodeinhere]

24. Ariz. Dems urge against immigration suit

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/06/23/Ariz-Dems-urge-against-immigration-suit/UPI-76031277320037/

We usually don't get this side of the story here. Lots of Democrats support the Arizona law.

[profile this]

25. I'm, upset

with the Arizona Democrats for not taking a stronger stance against this bill. I think I could get more Hispanics to vote democratic if they would show us more love out here in Arizona. As it is though, I'll take no love over hate. I will vote with the democrats and will work t to get the Latino vote this November. Si se puede.

[totodeinhere]

26. Yes, some Democrats in Arizona are putting their own selfish political interests ahead of what's

right. I think it's a bad strategy. If you are for the Arizona law you are voting Republican anyway. But if Dems in Arizona are not forceful enough, some Latino voters might stay home.

[ProudDad]

29. The spineless Democrats here in Arizona

piss me off more than the republicans...

The republicans -- well, you expect lousy scorpions to sting...

But the DEMS! GAWD. They'll tell you anything they think you want to hear (if even say ANYTHING beyond their usual prevarication, avoidance, hot air and triangulation) and then won't do shit.

Then they say, "Well, we're outnumbered up in Phoenix, there's nothing we can do."

Bullshit! You can tell the truth and raise bloody hell in the media...

---------------------

On edit: except for a VERY few -- Grijalva (most times), Richard Elias (sometimes) and (alas retired) Steve Leal here in Tucson.

Giffords -- HOPELESS -- She was a damn republican who couldn't get the repuke nomination so she changed to "-D" but she's still a fucking republican...

[Lance_Boyle]

40. Yeah, what's a little thing like enforcing the law when there are potential D votes to be courted?

It's disgusting how many on the "left" are willing to sell out the trades decimated by illegal alien labor just for the sake of picking up more "D" votes. It's shameful.

[ProudDad]

28. No, "lots of democrats" DO NOT support this bullshit...

The spineless Dems who are running for office here, the chicken-shit bastards like Goddard, etc., the cowardly FUCKS are SAYING that they're for this racist, voter suppression act.

But, no, you're ABSOLUTELY incorrect in assuming that any appreciable number of Democrats are for this crap...

[totodeinhere]

30. Are you sure that you aren't engaging in wishful thinking? According to this poll, 45% of Arizona

Democrats support the law.

45% is "a lot" in my book. Now you can quibble about the poll or it's accuracy, but other polls have had similar outcomes. I can post more polling data if you would like.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/05/12/poll-finds-broad-support-for-arizona-immigration-law/

[pinboy3niner]

31. Goddard opposed the law, but said he'd do his duty as AG and defend it

Brewer had language inserted in the amendments to authorize her to retain outside lawyers, which she did--and then, in a cheap campaign ploy, "ordered" Goddard off the case (at one point early on, both the AG attorneys and her lawyers were appearing in the case).

The AG's office disputed Brewer's authority to act under the new provisions before the effective date of the law. However, rather than subject Arizonans to the costs of legal battles with the Governor, Goddard voluntarily removed the AG's office from the case and allowed Brewer to proceed with private legal representation. Goddard was the one who behaved like a responsible adult and Arizona public servant throughout, while Brewer behaved like a petulant child.

Here's the statement from Goddard's campaign blog:

Terry Goddard Acts to Avoid Costly Legal Fight with Gov. Brewer
by Admin , Fri Jun 18, 2010 at 03:00:15 pm MST

(Phoenix, Ariz. -- June 18, 2010) Attorney General Terry Goddard sent a letter today to Gov. Jan Brewer notifying her that he will withdraw as counsel for the State in the defense of immigration bills SB1070 and HB2162 to avoid a costly and distracting fight over the issue of legal representation.

Goddard said his decision was based primarily on a letter he received from the Governor four days ago that made clear her unwillingness to work cooperatively with the Attorney General's Office in defending the immigration bills, which are scheduled to become law on July 29. He noted that he has achieved a perfect record in defending the State's other immigration laws against court challenges.

"It is unfortunate that you have chosen to reject that cooperative effort and seek to score partisan political points by threatening to challenge my authority as Attorney General to defend our State in court," Goddard wrote.

"I am duty-bound to put my client -- the State of Arizona -- first," Goddard added. "I am acting today to avoid a costly and highly disruptive legal showdown despite my belief that I would prevail in such a contest."

http://www.terrygoddard.com/2010/6/18/goddard-response

[JonLP24]

33. I really hope he wins!

I can't wait to cast my vote for him.

[profile this]

36. I'm not happy

with Goddard either. Wish he had more courage. But, I'm not staying home. We have to get Brewer out of office.

[EFerrari]

38. If the Moonie Times says so, it must be true.

So, how do you feel about "lots of Democrats" supporting a racist law written by a hate group?

[totodeinhere]

39. Regardless of the source I used, you can confirm that the substance of what I

said is true in about two seconds with a Google search. Many news organizations, not just the UPI, have reported that the law is supported by many Democrats in Arizona, and in another reply I pointed out that several reputable polls have confirmed this. So since lots of Democrats do support the law, what is wrong with saying so? Are we supposed to bury our heads in the sand and pretend it's not true when it really is?

As far as your question goes, I have said many times that I oppose the Arizona law. But that doesn't mean that I am going to pretend that the law doesn't have widespread support, because it does, even among many Democrats.

[atreides1]

42. And why do they support the law?

Could it possibly be because they like their fellow Arizonans who are Republicans,by into the whole "there are no jobs because of the illegals" or "crime has gone up because of illegals" or "it's all of the beheaded bodies being found on the border" or etcetera, etcetera, etcetera!!!

Is it possible that the Democrats who support this law are as racist as the republicans are?

I lived in Tucson for 7 years while my wife served at DMAFB, I also worked for the PCSD at the jail, and during my time there you would rumblings about illegal aliens, but not at the level of hatred that seems to have inflamed the situation now.

I keep in touch with friends, and our 3 children who live in Tucson, along with their our grandchildren. My ancestry is Hawaiian/Native American/Black/Caucasian, so my kids with enough sun can look Mexican. With the exception of one granddaughter, 5 of my grandchildren are also Samoan, while the other 3 are Mexican.

Do you realize the concern I have that my oldest grandson might very well be picked up by the police with the distinct possibility that they will ship him across the border into Mexico.

I've reached the point where I feel that anyone who agrees with this kind of a law, a law based on hatred, fear, and racism, might as well become a Republican, and be honest about who and what they really are.

[pinboy3niner]

44. For some, it's purely political expediency

I just about gagged when I saw a couple of DEM AZ state legislators equivocating in interviews on cable news this week. One contorted herself into a position that the AZ law may be a GOOD thing, because by forcing the DOJ challenge it will clarify the relaive roles of the feds and the state on immigration policy. Without taking a position on either the merits of the law or the merits of DOJ's lawsuit, she managed to position herself with a principled stand firmly on the side of whichever side prevails in court. :crazy:

We may see it as cowardly, but some dem legislators definitely seem to fear the wrath of their constituents if they take other than the popular position (and some seem to be afraid to take any clear position at all).

[Jefferson23]

46. Every Democrat should be supporting Obama on this, out loud.