The republicans are in the fight of their lives to keep control of the House and Denny Hastert is working to divide Americans on an issue that he has flip-flopped on over the last 20 years.
As the opponent of the Speaker, I feel that it is our responsibility in Illinois' 14th District to at least bring this debate to the 14th District. If the Republicans have their way they will be saying, "border security," again and again before the 2006 election. Check out this Fox News report and count how many times Mr. Hastert says, "I want to secure the border first."
In addition to talking about the debate, I will provide the blogosphere with a short update on our challenge to debate the Speaker of the House. You can read my July 19th blog if you missed it.
The story was covered by Illinois Public Radio (IPR), the Beacon News and the Daily Herald.
In both articles, Hastert's people indicate that they are not willing to have a debate... probably because 20% of the district is hispanic.
I have some specific requests for the netroots in this diary...
How did Hastert Flip-Flop?
Over the last week Dennis Hastert has said that he wants the U.S. military to protect our borders and he wants to build a fence. Because there are so many articles out there, check this one out from the El Paso Times.
"Being here, being on the border, understanding what the problems are, that's why we came here," Hastert said during a news conference. "First, make sure the borders are safe."
Or this one from Fox News:
"I've always said you need to build a fence on the border, and you need to have military," said Hastert, the House speaker. "There are places the military can help, especially the National Guard."
And here is the flip-flop from Dennis Hastert that comes from Numbers USA, an anti-immigration website:
Voted against authorizing the use of troops on the border in 1999
Rep. Hastert voted against the Trafficant Amendment to H.R. 1401. This amendment authorized the Secretary of Defense, under certain circumstances, to assign members of the Armed Forces to assist the Border Patrol and Customs Service only in drug interdiction and counter terrorism activities along our borders. The Traficant amendment passed by a vote of 242 to 181.
The second point that I want to make is that the Republicans did not talk about border security at all after 9/11. In fact, according to the same website, Dennis Hastert voted against a measure that would increase deportation of alien terrorists.
Voted against amendment to H.R. 10 to increase deportation of alien terrorists in 2004
Rep. Hastert voted against the Green Amendment to H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act. The Green Amendment would have made all terrorist-related grounds of inadmissibility, grounds of deportability, as well. This would have strengthened immigration law with regard to the deportability of alien terrorists. The Green Amendment passed by a vote of 283-132.
The bottom line is that Republicans only want to talk about border security when it relates to immigration. Republicans don't care about national security or counter-terrorism; that would mean port security and security for our northern border.
Debate Update
We have called the Hastert for Congress office several times since I initially walked into his office and David From continues to avoid the question. We will stay the course on our plan to have a town hall meeting to discuss the important issue of immigration and I need the netroots to make phone calls to Dennis Hastert's office and ask them to join in the debate. Our on-line forum will have a netroots aspect. We will be inviting people to participate virtually at a new blog, Fireside 14.
Hastert for Congress Committee
335 N. River Road Suite 203
Batavia Illinois 60510
P.O. Box 625
Batavia, IL 60510
Phone 630-879-1988
And a picture from 1986 when Hastert debated Kearns
I need Netroots Help
In preparation for the debate I need some more help from the netroots:
1) We need a summary of "Hastert statements on immigration."
2) He voted for H.R. 4437 before he voted against it. (need proof)
3) I am looking for a double-source on the "flip-flop." As a former intelligence analyst, I like to double-source everything.
Thanks again for your support and help.
Respectfully,
John Laesch