Hispanic GOP group decries Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison for opposing DREAM Act

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...1.436cd8a.html
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WASHINGTON – A national Hispanic Republican organization denounced Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's opposition to the DREAM Act on Friday and warned that the stance may hurt her re-election prospects in 2012 should she decide to run.

"We are conservative Republicans who hold traditional military and social values," the group Somos Republicans wrote in a letter to the senator. "We are troubled by the fact that you failed to recognize that Hispanics in Texas are overwhelmingly in support of the DREAM Act."

The bill would make illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. before age 16 eligible to begin a path toward citizenship.

To qualify, individuals would have to have been in the country at least five years and enter the military or pursue a college education.

A version of the bill passed the House on Wednesday night by a 216-198 vote. The Senate will probably vote on the legislation this week.

Hutchison voted for a similar bill in 2007 but has said she will not support the current measure because it is too broad. Fellow Texan Sen. John Cornyn also said he would vote against the bill.

For DeeDee Blasé, founder of Somos Republicans, that position alienates Hispanic voters who would otherwise align with the GOP.

"We've been warning [Republicans], 'Don't take advantage of the Hispanic Republican vote,' " she said. "If Hutchison punishes our children, there are going to be consequences in 2012."

Hutchison has not said whether she would run for re-election in 2012, but Blasé said that if Hutchison throws her hat into the ring, she can expect pushback from Somos Republicans.

"We are going to look for a Hispanic-friendly candidate to oppose her during the primary election," Blasé said.

But Lisette Mondello, a senior adviser to Hutchison, said the senator's vote was not influenced by 2012 considerations.

"This is not a political decision. This is a policy decision," Mondello said. "The concern that she has is that this DREAM Act doesn't just deal with the young people that are affected. It expands it to a circle of those that are here illegally."

Jason Villalba, head of the Dallas chapter of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, said Hutchison's opposition to the bill would not damage her standing among conservative Hispanics.

"I would argue that most conservative Hispanics would agree with Senators Cornyn and Hutchison," Villalba said. "While the DREAM Act is a good concept, I don't think the current draft is ready to be approved by the American people.

"I don't think that merely voting against a bad bill will forever characterize these two senators as anti-Hispanic," he added.
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Its critical when you call Hutchison to mention "under the dream act after 20 years the immigrants you can sponsor are your parents, only "

Dreamers, lets be more aggressive on the phone calls the opposition is also stepping up on their calls.

Hispanic GOP group? Oy, that's almost as bad as log cabin republicans.

Neither senator is going to change there mind need to spend more time on the ones that are on the fence or the democratic party. Webb comes to mind I think he is going to vote against but is not going to let his intentions known to the vote.

So lets see, if she supports it, she get the support of all 20 latino republicans in Texas, but then she loses a primary battle to the Tea Party.

Come on guys, this isn't that hard to figure out

CB124 our job is keep the pressure on all Senator's that's all we can do, now help us by e-mailing her the truth, you can only petition your parents after you obtain a green card which could take as long as 20 years. Source: House Debate.

She's going to lose to a Tea Party candidate anyways. Nothing she does will stop that.

Hutch supports the bill but the Senator won't vote on this version. Why not bring the 2007 version back to get more votes?

It would get less votes, that's why.

Her excuse doesn't make any sense because the bill she voted for cloture for in 2007 is way more liberal than the version the house passed.

DA USER is desperate to be included in some kind of legalization.

We would be asking and doing the exact same thing if we where in his position!!!!!

Don't be so harsh on the poor guy!!!!!