Huntsman’s working hard to pick up that GOP nomination
As ThinkProgress has reported, former Republican Utah Gov. Jon Hunstman has strong progressive streak that he may prefer people forget as he considers pursuing the GOP presidential nomination. On immigration, for example, Huntsman has supported a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants and something akin to the DREAM act, breaking with the nativists who have come to dominate Republican immigration thinking after President Bush’s reform effort collapsed. When asked about immigration at a town hall event in New Hampshire on Friday, Huntsman said he “hates the thought†of a border fence because “it’s not consistent with†American ideals:
HUNTSMAN: I hate the thought of a fence on the border. I mean, for me, as an American, the thought of a fence, it to some extent repulses me, because it’s not consistent with our overall — the image that we projected from the very beginning to the rest of the world. But the situation is such that I don’t think we have a choice.
I’d say that most on the Right are not thrilled with having to have a border fence. It’d be wonderful if we didn’t have to Do Something to stop the massive flow of illegal aliens, many of whom are hardcore criminals, gang members, and Islamic jihadis. But, a GOP candidate would be best off not yammering about it, especially since he seems to have a “strong progressive streak.”
Yet, it is consistent with American ideals, the ones about rule of law and protecting our citizens from from foreign invasion, two things that, unlike abortion and separation of church and state, actually appear in the Constitution!
Quote:
When asked about immigration at a town hall event in New Hampshire on Friday, Huntsman said he “hates the thought†of a border fence because “it’s not consistent with†American ideals:
HUNTSMAN: I hate the thought of a fence on the border. I mean, for me, as an American, the thought of a fence, it to some extent repulses me,
So, he doesn’t have a fence around his property? Does he not also have locks on his doors and windows? I think it is time to see what’s in his fridge.
I wonder if he’s ok with arab terrorists blowing Americans up?
Count me as one who hates the idea of the fence as well.
Count me as one that hates locks on doors and windows.
On some level, I think we all do.
We hate the idea that people are so disrespectful of our laws that we have to erect a fence. We hate the idea that people will steal and rob, requiring that we secure our possessions.
I think Huntsman is saying the same thing. Watch the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejjVuX6w1pA&feature=player_embedded
In it he says that as a governor of a gateway state, he thinks that a fence is necessary, but he hates the fact that it is necessary.
He also says that we should use a fence and technology to seal the border.
I am with him on this one. The fact that we have to seal the border with fences is disconcerting.
At the same time, like locks on our doors, it is necessary.
Yeah, I think most of us hate the idea of fences (except as decoration) and locks, but, they are necessary. And, I actually agree with Huntsman and what he is saying, but, not a wise thing to say as a candidate.
Bye Bye Hunstman. I seriously am happy that these guys are letting their true colors shine before wasting our time, votes and efforst on them. I am not against ANY legal immigration; but a fence is a neccessity. The old adage “fences make good neighbors” is exactly right. You cannot expect us to allow illegals, no matter what their intent, to crawl over our borders and bring any manner of mayhem along with them- whether it be criminal activity or simply using our already over taxed systems.
Wish it was different, but there is a good reason to keep them out. Let’s worry about changing/streamlining the process of LEGAL immigration and stfu about any other means of immigration.
I seriously am happy that these guys are letting their true colors shine before wasting our time, votes and efforst on them. I am not against ANY legal immigration; but a fence is a neccessity.
Isn’t that what Huntsman said, Trish? Doesn’t he say that the fence is a necessity?
So why is it a case of him showing “his true colors” for him to recognize that the fence is necessary, but wishing that it were not so?
I am confused.
Yes, I watched the video, and the VERY LAST FEW WORDS in the video he says….. “I don’t think we have a choice”
He hates the fence, but approves of a fence and technology to guard our border.
However…. saying that, this is about the only thing he has shown a conservative lean on. I may be wrong. I only read newspapers, watch tv, and read blogs so I am getting an overload of information. Too much so that I can’t make an informed decision.
/sarc
actually, I really haven’t paid attention to him and the few things I have heard have all been negative. Media like him. Thus, I don’t think I can.
Sorry Cap’n, but there is more than “the very last few words.”
At 0:13 Huntsman says “I don’t think we have a choice. I think we need to secure the border…. and that is a fence… with technology…”
That is a pretty clear statement.
As I said, I agree with Huntsman, who I know little about, that “as an American, to some extent, the thought of a fence repulses me.”
It is repulsive to think that there are people that hate freedom so much that they wish to do others harm. It is repulsive to think that there are people that are willing to violate our sovereignty and laws.
But those people exist and as much as it repulses us, like Huntsman, I agree that we don’t have a choice.
OH, I agree gitarcarver. And, I agree with Huntsman that we need to have a fence and technology, though not using the latter to not have the former.
However, I am not repulsed. It is a necessity. I have had fences around my properties most my life. I have never lived in an area where I couldn’t see my neighbors. Thus, I like fences to not see them and to prevent them from seeing me. A reason why I have shades and blinds on my windows.
Some things are just necessary.
I am not “repulsed” by the fence. I applaud it. I demand it. I want to see a fence like the one in Escape From New York. I want search light and gun batteries. I want the sucker 40 feet high and 20 feet deep.
To me, he is saying, I don’t want to, but I guess I have to. And, I will only do what is absolutely necessary because it sickens and repulses me. To me, he would rather do technology (like past presidents) than an actual wall.