CNN
By Cassie Spodak
July 6, 2015
Former
New York Gov. George Pataki challenged Donald Trump to a one-on-one
debate on immigration Monday in New Hampshire, saying he wants to hear a
real plan for reform
from Trump, not "name calling" and "insults."
As
the two vie for the Republican presidential nomination, Pataki has
taken the lead in repudiating remarks Trump has repeatedly made
regarding illegal immigrants migrating
into the United States.
On
Monday, Trump released a statement restating the controversial comments
he made almost three weeks ago when he announced he was running for
president.
"What
can be simpler or more accurately stated? The Mexican Government is
forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in
many cases, criminals,
drug dealers, rapists, etc.," Trump's statement said.
"It
wasn't until a week after my announcement that people started to
totally distort these very easy to understand words. If there was
something stated incorrectly, it
would have been brought up immediately and with great enthusiasm," he
said.
Trump's
comments have resulted in the termination of a number of his business
relationships, but it wasn't until the past week that fellow Republican
candidates began
to forcefully condemn his comments.
At
his Manchester campaign headquarters, Pataki laid out what he calls are
"practical" policy solutions for the issue of securing the southern
U.S. border, as well as
what to do with the millions of illegal immigrants already living in
the country.
"I
would be delighted to have a debate with Donald Trump on this issue,
and Donald, let me tell you right now I am willing to debate you here in
New Hampshire, mano a
mano, anytime on the issue of immigration and pit your ideas against my
solutions. I hope you say, 'yes,'" said Pataki.
Pataki's
immigration proposals include allowing illegal immigrants to obtain the
status of legal resident if they come forward publicly, have no
criminal history, and
commit to 200 hours of community service.
"I
do worry when one of the leading people in the polls for my party's
presidential position takes a position that is so completely abhorrent
to what I believe," said
Pataki of Trump, who ranked second only to Jeb Bush in a recent CNN/ORC
poll.
"I
share the frustration, yes I think he has tapped into a chord of people
who do not want to see millions of people come here illegally, but that
does not justify demonizing
an entire group of people," said Pataki, who barely registers support
in recent polling.
Pataki
said he hopes the media attention surrounding Trump's comments will
lead to meaningful debate over how to fix the issue of immigration in
the United States.
"We
have to have an intelligent policy debate. It's not about a soundbite.
It's not about denigrating people," said Pataki. "There's not such thing
as a perfect solution.
But after years and years of ignoring this and talking in political
soundbites its time for pragmatic solutions that work."
Before
he got down to the serious business of immigration reform on Monday,
Pataki made some jokes at the expense of Democratic presidential
candidate Hillary Clinton
to the gathered press.
When
he walked into his headquarters Pataki had a long rope in his hand,
which he extended towards the press, "Good to see you ... Would you mind
if we had a rope to push
you? Grab that end ... we want to get you all down here ... I'm worried
that you're going to get too close and the people aren't going to be
able to see me."
Pataki
was referring to Clinton's campaign visit to a 4th of July parade in
New Hampshire over the weekend. Clinton's campaign staff used ropes to
hold back the press
covering her at the parade on the public street, resulting in photos of
media being somewhat dragged spreading quickly online.
Pataki
made it clear he was joking, even as he held up the rope when a CNN
producer attempted to attach a microphone to his jacket.
"Stay behind the rope while you do it ... I'm kidding," Pataki said.
For more information, go to: www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com
No comments:
Post a Comment