Barrow lies about voting against amnesty
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Athens Congressman John Barrow continues his pattern of lies when he claims he voted against amnesty in his latest television ad and refuses to explain to Georgians in the new 12th District what he meant when he told the Boston Globe that “We have 11 million illegal aliens we need to do a good job of assimilating into the country first.”
“John Barrow claims he voted against amnesty, but H.R. 4437 did nothing to address amnesty for the illegal immigrants in our country,” said Burns Campaign Manager Tim Baker. “In fact, the word amnesty appears no where in the 257 pages of the bill. However John Barrow did tell folks in Boston that ‘We have 11 million illegal aliens we need to do a good job of assimilating into the country first.’ Assimilate means ‘absorb,’ which beyond a shadow of doubt means amnesty. He is a Harvard-educated lawyer. He knows what assimilate means.”
On an April 9, 2006, Barrow told the Boston Globe, when asked what should be done with the illegals already in the country, “We have 11 million illegal aliens we need to do a good job of assimilating into the country first.” Barrow never said a single word about amnesty until after April 10, 2006, when Max Burns criticized Barrow’s plan to assimilate the illegals already in the country. Barrow then ran back to the district and tried to clear up any confusion by claiming his opposition to amnesty and now claims he voted against amnesty.
“John Barrow can claim he’s against amnesty till he’s blue in the face,” said Baker. “It’s been 159 days and John Barrow has never explained what he meant when he told his college’s hometown newspaper he’s for “assimilating” 11 million illegal immigrants. What did this Ivy Leaguer think ‘assimilate’ means – round’em up and send’em home?”
Documentation:
H.R. 4437: The Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005:
This legislation only strengthens enforcement of our immigration laws, but does nothing to address the unauthorized immigrants currently in the United States. In short this bill:
· Requires every employer to ensure their employees are legal residents
· Strengthens and coordinates border security operations in order to prevent would-be terrorists from sneaking into the United States
· Boosts penalties for individuals found guilty of smuggling illegal immigrants across the border
· Subjects illegal immigrants to criminal penalties
· Protects against detained illegal aliens from being released back into American communities
(Source: House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Homeland Security)
John Barrow’s response when asked what should be done with the illegals already in the country:
“We have 11 million illegal aliens we need to do a good job of assimilating into the country first.” (Fence Sitters, Boston Globe, April 9, 2006)
as•sim•i•late:
· to absorb (groups of different cultures) into the main cultural body (Webster’s New World Dictionary, Second College Edition)
· to absorb (a minority) into the prevailing culture (The American Heritage College Dictionary, Third Edition)
5 Comments so far
Leave a reply
I read this blog and others periodically just to stay informed since I have just moved back to Augusta after getting my degree. I even consider myself to lean somewhat left, voted for more DEMS. than REP., but it seems to me that every time John barrow says one thing, he has said the opposite of it and supported the opposing view somewhere else. Will someone please explain to me how he is not called out on it more in the press. I know they say the press is liberal, but this is really unfair to the public they serve not to shine light on this man’s hypocrasy.
Emily,
Thanks for the comment. We don’t think this race is about party, this race is about southeast Georgia - in particular, the values and concerns of 12th district voters. And it is obvious that Barrow is out of touch with those values and concerns.
We support Max Burns not because he’s a Republican, but because he’s a good man and has 12th district values and concerns set as his #1 priority. His opponent prefers to desperately create a conservative “facade” to try to hide the fact that all he has done in Washington is vote with his liberal party leaders.
Regarding Barrow in the press, I wouldn’t necessarily say that he has remained out of the press because of any real press bias - although it’s a possibility - but rather because Barrow is enigmatic.
John Barrow knows how to avoid voicing an opinion on issues that really matter and thus, obviously, it’s easy to keep your name out of the papers. But a Congressman shouldn’t be worried about that… we need someone like Max who will vote with his conscience and with the interests of the 12th district voters, not the interests of liberal talking heads in DC.
Hopefully as this race heats up Barrow’s hypocracy will catch up to him and the media will latch on. Until then, we’ll just keep on reminding the voters!
Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Emily - You make a great point that has been frustrating myself and fellow Max supporters ever since Barrow started running. He says one thing, then says the opposite, then ignores the criticism when it comes and the media let’s him get away with it. Take your pick on the issue.
The Burns campaign and Max’s supporters can only call Barrow out for his lies so much. We need the media to hold Barrow accountable for switching positions whenever he feels like it.
I don’t think the media (at least in the 12th) leans strongly left or right, but I do think they’ve lost sight of the fact that it is there RESPONSIBILITY to hold our legislators (and those that want to be) accountable to the people. That is the purpose of the free press in a democratic society. Until the media remembers that, they’ll probably just let Barrow keep switching his position whenever he wants.
“You KNOW it’s out of control when even an IDIOT like Max Burns is for a guest worker program that would have prevented this debacle.”
http://ydfulton.blogspot.com/2006/09/sonny-did-stillmore-georgia-gutted.html
Is he? For a guest worker program, I mean.
Hmm, you post a quote from a Democrat-leaning website, then ask if it’s true.
If you want to know any of Max Burns’ positions, I would suggest that you contact Max Burns (www.maxburns.com, you can find his office phone number on there) as he would be the one that should state his positions, not us on a blog.