Republican Bob Beauprez took a swipe at Democrat Bill Ritter’s stance on illegal immigration yesterday (along with several other Republicans) – a clear indication that the GOP thinks?illegal immigration will be a winning issue for them in 2006.?From the Rocky Mountain News:
Republicans on Thursday rushed to use illegal immigration as a hot issue in this year’s campaign, unveiling radio ads and Robo-calls that attack Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter on the issue.
GOP rival Bob Beauprez’s ads – beginning today on talk radio stations in Denver, Colorado Springs and Grand Junction – play up Ritter’s opposition to a ballot measure limiting illegal immigrants from receiving government services.
“Illegal immigration is illegal, isn’t it? It’s time we in Colorado actually enforced our laws,” Beauprez says in the spot.
Ritter fired back, accusing Beauprez and other Republicans of distorting his position. Beauprez notes in his ad that he supports the immigration proposal that the Colorado Supreme Court shot down Monday in a controversial ruling.
But Ritter noted that Beauprez during his four years in Congress has “done nothing” to fix the immigration crisis. “Now it’s suddenly an issue for him because he’s running for governor,” Ritter said in a statement.
“I will not allow the congressman to misrepresent my position. I oppose providing welfare benefits to undocumented immigrants. I oppose issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. I oppose providing any benefit that is prohibited by state or federal law.”
Radio ads are being run against Ritter by the Trailhead Group…ads that the News says are misleading:
In addition on Thursday, the Trailhead Group, a GOP political organization formed to attack Democratic candidates, sent hundreds of thousands of Robocalls to voters statewide ripping Ritter.
The call quotes an article in Thursday’s Rocky Mountain News and leaves the impression that Ritter supports welfare for illegal immigrants. Ritter in that article explicitly said he was opposed to welfare for illegal immigrants.
Trailhead Director Alan Philp defended the script, saying unless voters approve such a ballot measure future legislators can offer welfare and other benefits to illegal immigrants.
Ritter went further?in defending himself by using the?the “Both Ways Bob” routine in a press release, which you can see if you click below…
P.S. The Beauprez campaign doesn’t send us press releases, so if you’re wondering why we don’t post those…now you know.
While Congressman Beauprez claims to be a staunch foe of illegal immigration, at least three of his votes in Congress say otherwise, said Bill Ritter?s campaign manager, Greg Kolomitz.
?Once again, the Congressman is doing one thing in Washington and saying another in Colorado,? Kolomitz said. ?Do you want a governor who flip-flops with the political winds or one you can trust to make responsible decisions and find achievable solutions??
?If the Congressman is so tough on immigration, then let him explain his record,? Kolomitz added. ???n????? In 2003, Congressman Beauprez was the only Colorado Republican to oppose an amendment that prohibited federal funding for so-called ?sanctuary cities.? Beauprez flip-flopped the next year and voted in favor of a nearly identical measure. (House Resolution 2799, Amendment 293)?n????? In 2004, Congressman Beauprez put his own financial interests ahead of his new-found concern for illegal immigration. He voted in favor of an amendment that essentially allows banking institutions to accept Mexican matricula consular documents in lieu of valid U.S.-issued identification documents. (H.R. 5025, Amendment 754)? n????? In 2004, Congressman Beauprez opposed a measure that would have required hospitals to report undocumented immigrants in order to receive Medicare reimbursements. The measure also would have held employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers liable. (H.R. 3722)? ?If he can?t maintain a consistent stance on this issue, how can we trust him on any other issue?? Kolomitz asked.?The Congressman has had four years to work on responsible solutions to the immigration crisis and the situation has only gotten worse,? Kolomitz said. ?If he?s serious, then he and the rest of Congress should stay in session until they agree on responsible solutions to this important issue.?
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