Florida Gov. Jeb Bush Calls Tone of Immigration Debate `Hurtful'

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

WASHINGTON — Accusing politicians of "pounding their chests" on immigration for short-term political gain, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday that the tone of the debate had been "hurtful" to him and his Mexican-born wife, Columba.

Bush, the younger brother of President Bush, reserved some of his sharpest criticism for conservatives in his own Republican Party, calling it "just plain wrong" to charge illegal immigrants with a felony, as a provision passed by the Republican-led House would do. He also opposed "penalizing the children of illegal immigrants" by denying them U.S. citizenship, an idea backed by some conservatives but not included in the legislation.

"My wife came here legally, but it hurts her just as it hurts me when people give the perception that all immigrants are bad," the Florida governor wrote in an e-mail exchange with The Times.

[...]

In his e-mail, Gov. Bush chastised both politicians and the media for being simplistic on immigration, and he lauded his brother for seeking a civil tone.

"The cumulative effect of some politicians pounding their chests about immigration is hurtful to both of us," he wrote, referring to himself and his brother. "I fear they do so for current political gain at the expense of thoughtful policy over the long term."

[...]

For the Florida governor ... immigration is a personal matter. He met his wife during a high school exchange program in Mexico, and the two married when he was 21. They settled in Miami in 1980 in part because she would feel comfortable in a heavily Latin city, home to Cubans, Mexicans and thousands of other Spanish-speaking immigrants.

The governor speaks the language fluently. His son, George P. Bush, has cited his Latino heritage in campaign appearances for his father and uncle and is considered an heir to the family political dynasty.

"Columba and I watch the news early in the morning and in the evenings," Bush wrote in the late-night e-mail exchange. "The cumulative effect of the coverage is that immigrants are bad and hurting our country. The coverage is black and white, good and bad, without the nuances that the coverage deserves."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...-home-headlines

[almaty 19]

of course, there are allot of hispanics in florida..don't want them to vote for the democratic challenger next election

[Mirorgate 0]

of course, there are allot of hispanics in florida..don't want them to vote for the democratic challenger next election

Indeed. And who woulda thought about all the political "Chest pounding" that this was really the issue behind the words? Oh wait.. THINKING people. ah well.. good catch though Dean.

My wifes view on illegal immigration? get back in line like everyone should be. considering Ecuador has issues in the north with columbians just walking their border...

[almaty 19]

of course, there are allot of hispanics in florida..don't want them to vote for the democratic challenger next election

Indeed. And who woulda thought about all the political "Chest pounding" that this was really the issue behind the words? Oh wait.. THINKING people. ah well.. good catch though Dean.

My wifes view on illegal immigration? get back in line like everyone should be. considering Ecuador has issues in the north with columbians just walking their border...

oh mirrorgate. your wife is a right thinking type of lady

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

of course, there are allot of hispanics in florida..don't want them to vote for the democratic challenger next election

So you don't think that the fact that he is married to an immigrant from Mexico plays into his stance on this at all?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

of course, there are allot of hispanics in florida..don't want them to vote for the democratic challenger next election

So you don't think that the fact that he is married to an immigrant from Mexico plays into his stance on this at all?

Probably does as well.

What's it matter? He's just one more in the ignorant crowd that can't get it into their heads that being anti illegal does not equate in any way, shape or form to being anti immigrant.

"My wife came here legally, but it hurts her just as it hurts me when people give the perception that all immigrants are bad," the Florida governor wrote in an e-mail exchange with The Times."

Nobody that can be taken seriously has made any such assertion as far as I know.

[I'm Gone 60]

I guess he's getting ready for 2008.

[Sister Fracas 5]

What's it matter? He's just one more in the ignorant crowd that can't get it into their heads that being anti illegal does not equate in any way, shape or form to being anti immigrant.

"My wife came here legally, but it hurts her just as it hurts me when people give the perception that all immigrants are bad," the Florida governor wrote in an e-mail exchange with The Times."

yeah, I just don't get that...

[Mirorgate 0]

of course, there are allot of hispanics in florida..don't want them to vote for the democratic challenger next election

So you don't think that the fact that he is married to an immigrant from Mexico plays into his stance on this at all?

Why? article only mentions that they met while he was exchange student to mexico. They married later when he was 21, settled in florida in 1980. Makes no mention of how she came in, though I am guessing with the old CR1 marriage visa. But if you really think he waited in line for that, or didn;t have that expedited There are rules for the majority.. then there are rules for the few that govern the majority, or are held in higher esteem to "regular folk". The difference is vast.

The majority of the bill also deals with illegal immigration with a few clauses tossed in to make it look like they ar working on the whole issue, not just a few band-aids to patch over what they broke or let fall apart.

Again, my wife is from SA, another place with high illegal immigrants into this nation. I don't feel differently about illegal just because I am married to someone of same heritage as some of them. I sympathize with their plight, but there is always choices.. some good, some wrong.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I guess he's getting ready for 2008.

The Presidency? Another Bush? Not going to happen. He can't disassociate himself from his brother as you see the Republicans that want to get (re)elected are doing.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Again, my wife is from SA, another place with high illegal immigrants into this nation. I don't feel differently about illegal just because I am married to someone of same heritage as some of them. I sympathize with their plight, but there is always choices.. some good, some wrong.

I understand your (and ET's) point. However, it is undeniable that many Mexicans in this country take attacks on illegal immigrants from Mexico very personally. I've seen it, I'm sure you've seen it. If his wife finds this hurtful, I'm sure it is not a huge stretch of the imagination that he does as well.

Mind you, I'm not saying this is rational in any way.

[almaty 19]

of course, there are allot of hispanics in florida..don't want them to vote for the democratic challenger next election

So you don't think that the fact that he is married to an immigrant from Mexico plays into his stance on this at all?

nope...not in the least..he is to much a politician

[Mirorgate 0]

Again, my wife is from SA, another place with high illegal immigrants into this nation. I don't feel differently about illegal just because I am married to someone of same heritage as some of them. I sympathize with their plight, but there is always choices.. some good, some wrong.

I understand your (and ET's) point. However, it is undeniable that many Mexicans in this country take attacks on illegal immigrants from Mexico very personally. I've seen it, I'm sure you've seen it. If his wife finds this hurtful, I'm sure it is not a huge stretch of the imagination that he does as well.

Mind you, I'm not saying this is rational in any way.

Yes, I have seen it. Stupid is as stupid does. simple line from a movie, but expresses itself quite well.

After 9/11 i saw also the hate on anyone or anything resembling association to islam, arab what ever.

People when emotional about a subject fail to get rational, step back, and view it subjectively.

Not all Mexican immigrants are illegal, not all mexicans are bad. not all illegal immigrants are mexican. can people actually see that? sure.. if they step back and view the facts.. not their own paradigm.

I can see his view, though I don't agree with it. Doesn't make him wrong for feeling that way, but I think he needs to get more objective in his analysis of what really is going on.

[Jasman0717 9]

of course, there are allot of hispanics in florida..don't want them to vote for the democratic challenger next election

Indeed. And who woulda thought about all the political "Chest pounding" that this was really the issue behind the words? Oh wait.. THINKING people. ah well.. good catch though Dean.

My wifes view on illegal immigration? get back in line like everyone should be. considering Ecuador has issues in the north with columbians just walking their border...

[I'm Gone 60]

I guess he's getting ready for 2008.

The Presidency? Another Bush? Not going to happen. He can't disassociate himself from his brother as you see the Republicans that want to get (re)elected are doing.

Doesn't stop him from running and did you think the current Bush would be elected twice?