January 08, 2008
Huckabee's Radical Immigration Shift
Mike Huckabee wants to amend the Constitution to prevent children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens from automatically becoming American citizens, according to his top immigration surrogate — a radical step no other major presidential candidate has embraced.Mr. Huckabee, who won last week's Republican Iowa caucuses, promised Minuteman Project founder James Gilchrist that he would force a test case to the Supreme Court to challenge birthright citizenship, and would push Congress to pass a 28th Amendment to the Constitution to remove any doubt.
This is a radical shift from an immigration position of just a little over a month ago as reported in the same newspaper, where his position as governor of Arkansas was labeled "an absolute disaster."
"Every time there was any enforcement in his state, he took the side of the illegal aliens."
As Mark Levin notes, this is a massive flip-flop from Huckabee, who supported making the children of illegal aliens eligible for college scholarships and called legislation to crack down on illegal immigration in Arkansas "inflammatory and race-baiting" while governor just two years ago, a fact he did not dispute in the GOP debate in New Hampshire on September 5, 2007.
Issues2000.org has much, much more on Huckabee's shifting positions.
Update: Hmmm... backing down on a previous pander? Perhaps his moral compass needs to be re-magnitized.
Saying anything to get elected....I don't believe him for one minute....period.
Posted by: Jaded at January 8, 2008 12:04 PMHuckabee is a disaster!
Posted by: Cory at January 8, 2008 12:12 PMMike Huckabee is a pandering piece of dung.
This guy has absolutely no decency about him what so ever.
Ireland voted this type of change in. We should, but on a national referendum as they did. Betcha the Dems don't want what the majority does want, so won't let us vote, ignoring the Constitution, like Assachusetts Dems screwed their electorate on the gay marriage issue.. Stuns me why they get elected.
Posted by: frizzbee at January 8, 2008 01:03 PMMike Huckabee just released this statement:
I do not support an amendment to the constitution that would prevent children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens from automatically becoming American citizens. I have no intention of supporting a constitutional amendment to deny birthright citizenship.
Posted by: John at January 8, 2008 01:15 PMThe cynical part of me is inclined to believe that this immigration gambit is not sincere. It gives Mr. Huckabee the appearance of being an immigration hawk. But how reasonable is it to expect that an Immigration Amendment to the Constitution would be any more viable than an Abortion Amendment?
Pro-life politicians have long known they can hold this position, cost-free, without actually doing anything about it. "Sorry, our hands are tied by the Federal courts."
Similarly, can I take any proposed reforms seriously when there is zero chance of getting enabling legislation through Congress?
I apologize for being so uncharitable to think this of Mr. Huckabee. Perhaps he could dispell such cynicism by taking positions that actually cost him something.
Posted by: Steve Poling at January 8, 2008 01:18 PMWhile I am all for a hard line on illegal aliens, the whole amending the Constitution to deny birthright citizenship seems rather extreme, and idiotic.
Posted by: Penfold at January 8, 2008 02:09 PMPeople need to take a breather and relax. Huckabee has corrected the record and will not propose a constitutional amendment on citizenship. However, having considerable experience as a governor he fully understands the shortcomings of current federal immigration policy and its implementation. With this background he has developed a comprehensive federal plan to address this invasion--a plan that should be embraced by every persons seeking the presidency.
Posted by: Scott at January 8, 2008 02:27 PMPeople need to take a breather and relax. Huckabee has corrected the record and will not propose a constitutional amendment on citizenship. However, having considerable experience as a governor he fully understands the shortcomings of current federal immigration policy and its implementation. With this background, he has developed a comprehensive federal plan to address this invasion--a plan that should be embraced by every persons seeking the presidency.
Posted by: Scott at January 8, 2008 02:28 PMHuckabee will say anything it takes. If anyone but romney thompson or hunter get in LEARN SPANISH. And be ready to keep paying illegals
bills so dems can get votes and reps. can have cheep labor. Sorry to be such a downer but someone needs to say it.
"A man who will lie to to get a job will lie while on the job."
I like his position. I also think he really believes in his current position. I also know that he is about as capable of holding onto his current position until Jan 20th, 2009 and not likely 24 hours longer than that.
Huckabee's worst quality is his ability to be persuaded so easily that he let an unrepetent rapist out of jail so he could rape and murder.
Posted by: Allen S at January 8, 2008 04:10 PMHuckabee has already been shown to be a liar on his tax increases. Therefore, I don't find it a bit surprising that he's speaking with forked tongue again.
That he would lie so easily suggests he is more politician than pastor. And if he is truly as Christian as he and his supporters say he is, might I suggest he review the Scriptures, specifically verses like Psalm 119:29, Proverbs 3:3 and 12:19, and Colossians 3:9, among many others.
Posted by: C-C-G at January 8, 2008 08:02 PM
