Romney takes first official step towards running for president

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com...mittee/?hpt=T2

I know this has nothing to do with Dream Act, at least for now. But it is important we start discussing this because it will eventually affect future immigrant legislations. Romney, what do y'all think? He is from a blue state..may be he is not for restriction? My opinion on this is that we should stick with Obama. Given the situation right now, he is the best choice for the Dreamer.

Although you will be heavily criticized, I agree with you. Obama is our only hope if we want to get anything accomplished on immigration. If republicans plan to win the latino vote, they'll have to change their rhetoric, which will make them lose a vast part of their constituency.

I'm not seeing the Republican party changing their stance on immigration for the Latino vote anytime soon. Maybe this presidential election will be a brutal wake-up call for the Republicans that it's no longer about nativism and preserving the white populace.

Maybe, just maybe.

Romney is a Republican and I don't really see him changing his mind regarding immigration. Romney vetoed granting in-state tuition and driver's licenses to undocumented migrants while he was the governor of Massachusetts. It will be bad for his campaign if caters more to the left. His supporters will abandon him since they are more conservative. His base is more to the right than to the left.

Boston Globe. Governor Mitt Romney vetoed the [in-state tuition] bill late last month [June 2004], stating that he could not support an initiative that he said would promote more illegal immigration. ''The Commonwealth should not make it easier for illegal aliens to violate federal immigration laws," said Shawn Feddeman, a spokeswoman for the governor. ''And we shouldn't excuse those violations of the law by giving illegal aliens the same benefits we provide our own citizens." http://www.boston.com/news/local/art...ide_challenge/

Boston Globe. [Massachusetts] House lawmakers defeated a contentious in-state tuition bill [Jan. 2006]. The 57-96 vote was also a blow to the House Democratic leadership…. "Gov. Romney commends the members of the House who recognize, as we all do, that it is wrong to reward illegal immigration," said Romney spokeswoman Julie Teer…..Before the vote Romney told reporters the state should focus on legal immigrants….."Those individuals who are not here legally, in my view, should not receive a special benefit," he said. "There's not a bottomless pit in terms of money." http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...grants?mode=PF

GOVERNOR ROMNEY OPPOSED DRIVER’S LICENSES FOR UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS

National Review. Last year, the governor [Romney] threatened to veto a bill that would have allowed illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses, but the legislation never made it to his desk. http://www.nationalreview.com/miller...0512141539.asp

National Review. I'm against an amnesty and against anything that provides an incentive for people to come here illegally.” http://www.nationalreview.com/miller...0512141539.asp


http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/Passport_LR.PDF

If Mitt wins the Republican race for presidency I think he should be embraced by Latino voters over Obama. During the last presidential elections he was criticized for supporting what far right republicans called amnesty. Although he denied, he defended himself by saying he supported A pathway to citizenship with fines, learning english, etc. ( I will try to find the article). We have a democrats' support, with Mitt, we would get a few more Republicans. I can bet he would burn down the DREAM act, but he would definitely support CIR. No DREAM but a chance of CIR with Mitt is much better than what we've had with Obama (No DREAM or even talk of CIR). I think it's time to notice that the man has no backbone when it comes to immigration. I think it's time let the republicans take control.

You're welcome to think so, but Romney's track record as governor of MA speaks for itself. He may be not be as radical or as bat shit crazy as some of the other Republicans, but he will face the same opposition that Obama has come up against, but this time from within his own party and voters that he will need to beat Obama. The bottom line is that Republicans have burned their bridges with Latino/immigrant voters and I highly doubt any of them will be coming out to support even moderate Republicans like Romney in 2012.

As disappointed/angry/pissed as I am with the Democrats and Obama's lack of progress on immigration, I still think they are our best option.

Look back at the track record of Immigration and see which party has it in them to pass any sort of immigration bill. History speaks for itself. Democrats haven't done a thing while republican under Reagan have been the ones to pass bills. It's a matter of looking at history. President Bush made at least some sort of effort to pass CIR while Obama has only given lip service. Think about it, look at history. Democrats don't have the go-nads to pass immigration bills. Republicans have proven otherwise. I argue that this forum should embrace a new approach on immigration. Obama had 4 years already. Do you really wanna wait another 4? Seriously, the man won't do a thing. He is as scared as a child in front of congress.

I'm gonna have to agree with Quemiras here although Fresh, you do have a point. However, I have a feeling that Republican senators/representatives will be willing to pass an immigration bill if they have their own candidate as a president. They simply do not want a Democrat to take credit for any legislation, not only on immigration, but ANY legislation. This is not to say that I fully support Romney. This is a very tough decision to make if you're a latino voter. Do you go ahead and trust Obama's words or do you decide to change parties?

Well, if you look at the track record of Immigration you will notice that they have always been proposed during the second term of the elections. This is a very highly controversial issue and politicians always want to get reelected, thus leaving this issue to the second term of presidency.

Evidence? you might ask, so you will receive.

You speak of Ronald Reagan. Reagan passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986. When was that? His second term.

Another person you speak of is Bush Jr.. When did President Bush start speaking of immigration reform? In his second term.

Quote:
During his second term in office, Bush proposed comprehensive immigration reform, that would have granted citizenship to illegal immigrants who paid fines and learned English, but he was stopped by congressional leaders in his own Republican Party.
http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews....n-reform/2948/

I understand that you're upset with Obama because he hasn't done anything about an immigration reform during his first term. But, just as you stated, "history speaks for itself," you will notice that president's proposes immigration reform during the second terms. He is our best option right now. I believe you haven't read my other post about Romney (which I cite articles on how he opposes undocumented migrants), he is not on our side man.