Dec 6, 2011
Arizona Democrats respond to Romney visit
Arizona Democrats are harshly criticizing Mitt Romney's reckless flip-flops on immigration ahead of his events today. Who knows which Mitt would run in the general election, but Romney in his current form would be the most extreme Republican nominee on immigration in decades.
Below are the statement from Democratic leaders ahead of Romney's "grassroots" event later today with former Vice President Dan Quayle.
Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County Supervisor:
"The contrast between Mitt Romney and President Obama could not be clearer on immigration. Romney abandoned his support for comprehensive immigration reform to curry favor with the far right, and the president has consistently supported a comprehensive approach. Immigration reform is too important and complex for flip-flopping." "We don’t know which Mitt Romney would run in a general election, but the one speaking in Arizona today would be the most extreme presidential nominee the Republican Party has had."
Representative Ruben Gallego:
"Los residentes de Arizona de todo el espectro político han dejado en claro que rechazan la retórica extrema y que divide sobre la inmigración. Pero eso es precisamente lo que Mitt Romney aporta a Arizona con su visita de hoy. En un reciente debate republicano, Mitt Romney demostró que sería el candidato presidencial más extremo en tiempos recientes, al decir que debemos forzar a abuelas, miembros de nuestras iglesias y comunidades e incluso a veteranos indocumentados, a irse del país. Es una pena que alguna vez haya afirmado respaldar la reforma integral de inmigración de McCain/Kennedy. Ahora queda claro que Romney está dispuesto a hacer y decir cualquier cosa para salir elegido". "Los residentes de Arizona ya han rechazado la visión de Romney, la cual divide al país. Las ideas extremas e imprácticas de Romney no reflejan el Arizona que queremos ser".
Anna Tovar, Democratic Whip of the House of Representatives:
"Like on so many other issues, Mitt Romney is proving that he will say anything on immigration to get elected. Only a few years ago, he supported a comprehensive approach to immigration reform. Now, Romney is attacking the likes of Newt Gingrich just for saying we need a ‘humane’ immigration policy. If the Republican Party were to choose the Mitt Romney of today, they would be backing the most extreme presidential nominee on immigration in decades."
Andrei Cherny, chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party:
"As a former Arizona prosecutor who focused on breaking up human smuggling rings, I know that Mitt Romney's current position on immigration would make us less safe. We need to bring people out of the shadows so we know who is living in our communities. Romney's politically motivated flip-flopping on this issue means he is embracing a position that is not only cruel and extreme, but dangerous."
