This appears to have been another attempt by Mitt Romney to appeal to Republican primary voters. If he was so concerned about the danger imposed on the residents of sanctuary cities, why did he wait until the final days of his term to address the problem? Moreover, Gov. Elect Patrick was already on record promising to rescind the agreement. Romney was well aware that it would never take effect. Would this have been part of his platform had he decided to run for re-election in Massachusetts? Not likely. From Fact Check.org:
“Mitt Romney casts himself as tough on illegal immigration in a new ad in which he says that, as Massachusetts governor, “I authorized the State Police to enforce immigration laws.” He doesn’t mention that his order never took effect. It came in the closing days of his administration and was rescinded by his successor, as we wrote back in August.Read More
He also promises, “As President, I’ll . . . cut funding for sanctuary cities.” Maybe so, but as governor he took no action against several such towns in his state.
We find Romney misleading on both counts.”
(...)
Well, yes. But, as we noted in August, he didn't do so until he had less than a month left in his term. He was already considering running for president, and the new governor-elect was expected to rescind the arrangement.
Romney began talking about giving troopers the power to make arrests on immigration charges earlier in 2006, but he didn't sign an agreement with the federal government - a necessary condition for that authority to be granted - until Dec. 13 of that year. Romney was scheduled to leave office Jan. 4, 2007. Democrat Deval Patrick, who had won the race to succeed Romney, had already said the program was a "bad idea" because troopers were busy enough as it was.
Sure enough, Patrick rescinded the agreement within his first week in office so troopers could "focus on enforcing Massachusetts laws." The policy never had a chance to take effect, because those troopers chosen to carry it out hadn't yet begun a required six-week training course.
Cross Posted at Why Not Romney
13 comments:
Romney was obviously pandering to the right wing on this one. I actually am a little encouraged about this post. I am sure that Romney, like most Republican leaders (including the great Sarah Palin), actually genuinely deep down inside care about immigrants. See Haley Barbour's earlier lobbying work for the Mexican government. Yet, when these candidates run for office they have to play the tough guy in front of the camera.
We need immigration reform. Not necessarily sanctuary cities, but comprehensive immigration reform. What Romney really believes about immigration is perhaps beside the point, because no president (including the present one) has the political opportunity to make a difference. There is too much ignorance and paranoia being spread by the talk radio/Fox news cabal and the unions on the left.
ROMNEY 2012!!!!
Are we supposed to be upset with Romney?
I don't understand.
Is this an anti Deval Patrick post?
"Romney claims he put state troopers on the trail of illegals in his state.
Romney: As governor, I authorized the state police to enforce immigration laws.
Well, yes. But, as we noted in August, he didn't do so until he had less than a month left in his term. He was already considering running for president, and the new governor-elect was expected to rescind the arrangement."
Why was he expecting the Governor elect to rescind it? He backed his LT Governor to take his place. Why would he have expected another Republican Governor to rescind something that she agreed with as LT, Governor?
Nathan, Patrick had already won the election, and vowed to rescind it.
The point is that Mitt didn't do anything about it until he decided he wanted to run for President, or in other words, until it was politically expedient. For him to use this as evidence of his "tough stance" on illegal immigration is a bit disingenuous.
I think Right Wingnut might have a crush on Mitt. When I was a kid my mom always told me that when kids were picking on me it was because they were trying to cover up the fact that they really liked me. I think I might be on to something here. . .
Haha. Yep, you're on to me. I'm a closet Romney supporter.
What do you expect? The man wants to be the leader of the free world. All of these things will be discussed in the upcoming campaign.
Comprehensive immigration reform is pointless UNTIL Congress decides whether the US actually has borders or not. Otherwise, handing out citizenship only INCREASES immigration problems, not decreases, having become a carrot to bring more people HERE.
AZ
Noelle, either that, or he has Romney Derangement Syndrome!!!!
I'm still waiting for a Palinite to author a post shoeing me why Palin is so great and why she is the best choice.
I'm beginning to wonder if they know why they like her. Short of she's good looking and I like what she says.
And we are still waiting for the Romneyites to give us a reason to chose Mr. Romney other than he likes mandates.
Small potatoes, RW. I need me some meat. I mean, if you're going to go after Romney, why don't you bring something real that matters?
-Martha
As governor of taxachusetts he was pro abortion, pro gun control, raised fees (taxes)by 850 million, past socialized medicine. And let's not forget, lost jobs for Massachusetts in good times. Romney is a FRAUD!
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