Debating in Mesa, the Republican presidential primary candidates blasted the Obama administration on its handling of the key Arizona issue of immigration.
Frontrunners Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum specifically mentioned Arizona during Wednesday's CNN debate and called for the state's policies to be implemented nationally.
Immigration was the most Arizona-focused issue and one of the few areas where the candidates didn't spar over positions. And unlike questions about economic growth, cutting the deficit, earmarks, birth control or Iran, they didn't attack each other for past statements.
Romney said Arizona's immigration laws are a model to follow. He praised the e-verify program to confirm a potential employee's immigration status, saying it cut the number of undocumented immigrants in the state by 14 percent, compared with 7 percent nationwide. The former Massachusetts governor blasted the Obama administration for its lawsuit against Arizona's anti-illegal immigration law, SB 1070.
"I will drop those lawsuits on day one and I'll also complete the fence," Romney said.
Santorum also gave a nod to Arizona, saying Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Arizona should pursue immigration policies as they see fit. The former New York senator said he would detain and deport undocumented immigrants who are present or seeking employment.
King asked Santorum if he would sanction people who employ undocumented workers performing household work.
"I'm not going to require homeowners to e-verify," Santorum said. "I think that's one step too far."
CNN showed Arpaio in the auditorium when he was first mentioned, drawing cheers from the audience.
Texas Congressman Ron Paul said a welfare state draws illegal immigrants for schooling, healthcare and more. He said rather than the U.S. putting resources on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the nation should deploy more immigration officers on the border with Mexico.
"Certainly this president is not doing a very good job," Paul said.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich touted his work to build a fence along the Mexican border near San Diego, which he said "worked dramatically." But the fence didn't continue because of environmental concerns, Gingrich said he's waive all federal regulations and studies. He estimated the $3 million-a-mile cost of constructing a wall could be done for just 10 percent of that by modernizing government. He pledged to have the fence in place by January 2014.
Gingrich said he would relocate up to half the 23,000 Department of Homeland Security employees to the border states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
"It is utterly stupid to say the United States government cannot control the border," Gingrich said.
Gingrich said he voted for a 1986 immigration reform bill under President Ronald Reagan, only to get short-changed when Congress later failed to pass legislation to improve border security and a guest-worker program. He said Congress is unable to pass a comprehensive immigration bill today, so he would work on bill at a time. The first, he said, would address border control.
Gov. Jan Brewer fought for Republicans to hold one debate in Arizona to bring some of the state's unique issues into the national debate.
After the debate, Brewer told CNN she was inspired and thought the candidates turned in "fabulous" performances. She said the calls for building a border fence and stronger laws struck a chord with her. Brewer didn't endorse a candidate but praised Gingrich for wanting to work more closely with border states on immigration.
"I like exactly what Newt Gingrich said about really working with the governors of those states, but that doesn't mean that other candidates wouldn't do that," Brewer said.
At a debate viewing party outside the Mesa Arts Center, Mesa resident Steve Ketchum said he was satisfied with the attention local issues got.
"They covered national issues - which we care about - and local ones too, like the border, charter schools, and public education, along with the family," he said.
Tom Carty of Tempe said he agreed with most of what the candidates said about immigration.
"None of their answers really surprised me," Carty said. "The fence, more border patrol, whatever it takes. Those all seem necessary. We need more homeland security. Get them out of Washington and over here."
Andrew Hedlund contributed to this report
Contact writer: (480) 898-6548 or ggroff@evtrib.com
NeitherLeftNorRight posted at 9:55 pm on Wed, Feb 22, 2012.
I thought the audience booing the person who E-mailed the question on contraception only made themselves look bad and is not going to bode well for their general election chances regardless of whom the Republicans nominate.
SethCold posted at 6:02 am on Thu, Feb 23, 2012.
Good Lord, just get this man out of office and lets return America to the Americans. This man is so far into socialism, he was hired and elected to turn America into a world one system. Someone in the high places made a deal with him and he accepted. Simple. I would hate to be hispanic and vote for this man, and to tell you the truth I am 8th generation mexican and don't believe a word, nor like this man. Would not vote for him because of my race.
azblacklab99 posted at 7:29 am on Thu, Feb 23, 2012.
Eric Holder and all the lawyers in DOJ take note: A Republic Pres is going to drop the silly lawsuits against AZ and other states over immigration. SB1070 will come back and sweep out all the illegal law breakers.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 8:12 am on Thu, Feb 23, 2012.
AMERICA.....LOVE IT (learn English and wave Old Glory, not the Mexican Flag)...OR LEAVE IT (take your Mexican, Honduran, El Salvadoran or Guatamalan boy or girl that costs the American Citizens of Arizona %7,670.00 per year to try and educate with you).
AND AS FOR THE .....LIBERALS...PROGRESSIVES...DEMOCRATS...SOCIALISTS...ANARCHISTS AND COMMIE WANNA-BE'S WHO SUPPORT THE .......ILLEGAL ALIEN INVASION OF AMERICA..............THERE ARE...."SEDITION" LAWS ON THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW.
Accuracy posted at 11:13 am on Thu, Feb 23, 2012.
Beside those four (Romney, Santorum, Paul, Gingrich) Republican party candidates for president of the United States – There are 19 other names on the Republican Ballot for the upcoming Presidential Preference Election this Tuesday, February 28th . . . Benjamin, Terr, Bollander, D. Perry, Zack, Sims, Callahan, Cisneros, Lynch, Skelley, Arnett, Gonzales, Rick Perry, Perkins, Welch, Dean, Hill, Roemer, and Levinson.
Dale Whiting posted at 12:34 pm on Thu, Feb 23, 2012.
NeitherLeftNorRight
Boy, do you have a lot to learn about the political spectrum on this site. On the overly simplistic line from right to left here in Arizona we have the extreme far out right, complised of such partisans as TeaParty members, then come the ultra conservatives, and then the more modern and up-to-date Neo-conservatives, then the moderates, such as our Governor, then the conservatives, then the archaic conservatives. We do not cross the line into the left hand quadrant.
After reviewing the preceeding comments, I'm sure you'll get the picture!
So if you are neither left nor right, you are as far out in left field as we get here. Welcome to my neighborhood. I'll bring the sandwiches if you bring the drinks. It's mightly lonely out here on the far out right of center field!
mariapar posted at 4:41 am on Fri, Feb 24, 2012.
Romney and Ron Paul are in cahoots ! Paul sold out ! SON RAND PAUL TO BE VP !!
http://tinyurl.com/74cdcok
POWERFUL GENT IS MR. MONEY! But People 's power is greater !
The sorry parts is: If the nomination is bought Romney will loose to Obama.
There is no too much difference among them !
It was obvious and shameful to see how Romoney and Ron Paul teamed up in the Arizona debate (2/23/12 ) to attack Santorum several times! After the debate ( recorded on tape) , both Romney and Paul congratulate and patted each other TWICE. The voters SAW IT.
But Love can not be bought! Neither arizonian or michiganders !
Santorum un-official campaign song! SPREAD….
http://tinyurl.com/882dwja
http://tinyurl.com/6ttoxdn
Genial. enjoy !
In Rick Perry’s memorable phrase, Romney is a “vulture capitalist,”
COURAGEOUS SANTORUM NEEDS THE PATRIOTS OF USA ! YOU !
Slabside posted at 3:21 pm on Sat, Feb 25, 2012.
"So if you are neither left nor right, you are as far out in left field as we get here. Welcome to my neighborhood."
BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA! The biggest ultra left lib posting this site considers himself neither right or left!!!!
Yeah, and Hitler was a humanitarian.