Townhall.com, Where Your Opinion Counts
Talk Radio:   Bill Bennett   Mike Gallagher   Dennis Prager   Michael Medved   Hugh Hewitt   
BREAKING NEWS  LeftArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican   RightArrow - Townhall.com : Conservative, Political, Republican  
Columns, funnies & more in your inbox!
  • Check the boxes and send us your email address to receveive your free newsletter
  • Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
  • Townhall.com’s weekly inside scoop on what’s happening behind the scenes in the world of politics. When news breaks, we report.
  • Signup to receive the latest daily Townhall cartoons

Townhall.com The Blogspot for Political, Conservative and Republican Blogs and Bloggers


Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Rudy On "Home Grown" Jihadists, The Immigration Bill, Iran, Libby And Tony Blair
Posted by: Hugh Hewitt at 6:38 PM

The transcript of my interview with Mayor Giuliani is here.  Key excerpts:

HH: They were, three of the Fort Dix six were in the country illegally. I’m not sure about the travel of the Kennedy Airport four. But did you think the recent draft immigration bill dealt seriously with this particular aspect of the problem of people in this country illegally who might be jihadists?

RG: Hugh, I came to the conclusion that it made it worse.

HH: How?

RG: I would have voted against it just on the grounds that we’re better off the way we are now than the change that we’re going to make, and we’re not in good shape right now. But if you look at what Congress passed, you know, last year, with the fence, technological fence, increase in Border Patrol, if anything, this bill would cut back on that. And the President is better off with the situation the way it is right now. I believe, and that was my second commitment, that you can end illegal immigration without anymore legislation. You have the authorization to build a big part of the fence. You can supplement that with a technological fence that would spot people and alert the Border Patrol to people coming over the border. You could use a border stat program like my compstat program to reduce crime, to strategically place the Border Patrol like we used to do with the police. And you could have a tamper-proof ID card for everyone, and a requirement that everybody that comes into the country has to be identified and in a database. And if you did that, and you did it consistently over a 12 to 18 month period, you’d come pretty close to ending illegal immigration at the border. And if we could show the American people that we could stop it at the border, then the rest of this stuff that’s being debated, I think you could come to a more reasonable accommodation about it. But right now, people look at the things that Ted Kennedy wants to do, and people who are compromising with him, and they say my goodness, I mean, this is just going to…if we don’t get control over our borders, this 12 million’s going to become 20 million.

HH: Among those 12 million are tens of thousands, according to the San Antonio Express News, of illegal immigrants from countries of interest, as the State Department calls them, countries with known jihadist networks. Should we have a separate category for illegals from those countries? Not because they’re all jihadist, but because there will be jihadist among them.

RG: You have to do, you have to have priorities in law enforcement, or in this kind of enforcement. And if there are areas of the world where there’s more of a tendency to produce people that are going to come here and kill us, and hurt us and destroy us, that’s a realistic piece of intelligence, you’ve got to apply that in the way that you’re handling it. And the reality is, I mean, the Senate voted down a provision that would create priorities for illegals who commit a crime. I mean, I can’t imagine anybody doesn’t agree with this. Somebody comes here illegally, and then they commit a crime, shouldn’t they be thrown out of the country immediately?

HH: Well, I agree with that. I’m just wondering if we have to get serious, and that political correctness prevents us from being serious about people from countries with jihadist networks.

RG: I don’t think we’re even close to that point, meaning the situation is so confused with the immigration service, that they’re not able to set priorities like that. Should they be able to do it? Yes, you’re absolutely right. They should be able to do it. They should be able to take intelligence that suggests that from one part of the world, there’s substantially more danger than from another, and apply it. That’s good law enforcement. That’s like a police officer saying when somebody describes the criminal as being six foot tall, you don’t go looking for somebody who’s five foot five.

and:

HH: Now I want to go back, Mayor, to a couple of the topics of the last Republican debate. You got asked out of nowhere whether or not you’d use tactical nukes on Iran, and then you moved on like it was, you know, asking if you were going to subscribe to a magazine or something. Yesterday, or on Sunday, Joe Lieberman said we know the Iranians are running people into Iraq to kill our soldiers, we know where they have a base. If you’re the president, will that continue? And if you’re the president, and you think they’re going to get nukes, will you stop them, whatever is necessary to stop them?

RG: Nice way to put it. Whatever is necessary. I think you say, you don’t take any option off the table. They have to know, they have to know that the American president will not allow them to become a nuclear power, in part because of the danger of the use of missiles, and attacking Israel, and attacking the United States, but maybe even more importantly because they can had nuclear materials off to people. And that may be even a greater danger with a country that’s a state sponsor of terrorism. The more immediate and greater danger is that in their sponsorship of terrorism, and in their ongoing activity of handing armaments and money to terrorists, they would start handing off nuclear material.

HH: In light of that, if the President comes out between now and the next election, and says based on intelligence that we have, and we know the problems with our intel, but based upon what I saw, I have to strike Iran, will you be out there the next day supporting him in that effort?

RG: If I believe that it was the last measure, and it was absolutely necessary to keep America safe, sure. The American president has to have that option on the table, and the American people have to support that, if in fact it comes to that. We all hope it doesn’t, we all wish it doesn’t, we all realize that it would be real dangerous if it did, but I think most of us realize it would be even more dangerous if a country like Iran that is so irresponsible was sitting there with nuclear weapons.

The interview with Tony Snow --in which, no kidding,  he professes to be searching for my G spot on immigration-- is posted here. Tony comments extensively on the Tony Blair speech today blasting the media as well as the Stoneridge case and the immigration bill.  Regarding the Stoneridge case on which I posted this morning, I think the plaintiffs' bar is going to be very disappointed when his comments make the circuit:

HH: [F]irst, big story in the Washington Post business section today, Wall Street Journal as well. The administration, in the form of Solicitor General Paul Clement, took a pass on the Stoneridge case, where the Supreme Court has said to him come, tell us whether you think we ought to extend liability and fraud, securities matters to lawyers, accountants, consultants, bankers. How could the administration sit that one out, Tony Snow?

TS: Well, again, look, what we’re talking…the administration did not sit it out. The Solicitor General simply asked what our opinion was, and let me just put it this way. On the Stoneridge case, what you’re really talking about is an attempt by trial lawyers to extend liability, really throughout the economic system…

HH: Yup.

TS: …in such a way that would wreak enormous damage. So we gave the views of the administration, which is that’s not the kind of thing we support. We think it’s bad policy, and the President thinks it’s undesirable to extend the scope of shareholder class actions suits.

HH: So…but the Solicitor General did not file a brief, even though Chris Cox…by the way, he’s my friend, he’s your friend. What’s up with Chris on this one?

TS: Well, you’re going to have to ask Chris on that one. So I’ll just leave it at that.

HH: Okay, but will the administration file a brief formally opposing the extension of this liability?

TS: Well, again, I’ll leave it to the Solicitor General. The way it worked was that they had until midnight last night to side with the plaintiffs. The question is now whether there will be a brief with the defendants, which I believe that would be the side that you would favor. So when you say take a pass, what happened was there was a deadline for last night for supporting the plaintiffs.

HH: Very good.

TS: There’s still as much as a month to decide, and the SG, obviously, Solicitor General, will be making a decision on whether to file an amicus brief on behalf of the defendants.

The audio of both interviews will be posted here later tonight.



View in ascending order View in descending order
BillT writes: Tuesday, June, 12, 2007 7:08 PM
Rudy
"They have to know, they have to know that the American president will not allow them to become a nuclear power, in part because of the danger of the use of missiles, and attacking Israel, and attacking the United States, but maybe even more importantly because they can had nuclear materials off to people. And that may be even a greater danger with a country that’s a state sponsor of terrorism. The more immediate and greater danger is that in their sponsorship of terrorism, and in their ongoing activity of handing armaments and money to terrorists, they would start handing off nuclear material."

Why can't the Dems get this one right?
Pasadena Phil writes: Tuesday, June, 12, 2007 7:12 PM
Reid's latest statement
"The Republicans have to get their act together if they want this bill. Fourteen percent of Republicans supporting will not get it done."

Is it over? Bush insists not.
Joe writes: Tuesday, June, 12, 2007 7:19 PM
Eeeewwwwwwww!
"The interview with Tony Snow --in which, no kidding, he professes to be searching for my G spot on immigration. . ."

I just threw up like that guy on the Sopranos who saw Phil Leotardo's head get squished.
Goyo Marquez writes: Tuesday, June, 12, 2007 7:31 PM
More Shame on Shameless Hugh
Geez Hugh isn't, "three of the Fort Dix six were in the country illegally." a bit of a canard?

What after all is the relationship between immigration status and terrorism? Have more terrorist entered the country legally or illegally?
Have more acts of terror been committed by illegal immigrants, legal immigrants or citizens? Is there some logical relationship between immigration status and propensity to commit acts of terror? If there is do the statistics bear it out?

Or is the relationship between terror and illegal immigration status just a figment in the mind of people who look at illegal immigrants as "dirty little others" and therefore naturally predisposed to acts of terror?

This type of argument is, sadly, typical of all of the arguments used by those who attack the President's immigration policies, i.e. much more prejudicial than probative. And it is this type of irrational, argument which leads some of us Mexican American conservative Republicans to conclude that it's really all just about bigotry.

Greg Marquez
goyomarquez@earthlink.net
http://www.ivchristiancenter.com
AMR writes: Tuesday, June, 12, 2007 7:57 PM
Immigration Promises
While I have a problem with some aspects of the immigration bill, the media, including FOX, skips over the fact that a sponsor Sen. Kennedy was in the senate during the 1986 amnesty when we got the trust me promise about border security after amnesty. We never got the border security, so why should I believe it will happen this time. Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice, shame on me.
bardseyeview writes: Tuesday, June, 12, 2007 8:06 PM
g-men
I don't care how metrosexual a straight man can become, one man searching for another's g-spot goes a quiche slice too far.

Tony is being undone by his role defending the indefensible.
Virginia Patriot writes: Tuesday, June, 12, 2007 8:56 PM
What Happened to Tony?
I used to like this guy, but that line went over the line.
GoodJobTim writes: Tuesday, June, 12, 2007 10:53 PM
What's up with the "Snowball" questions?
Why will no one pin Tony down on this bill? I eagerly awaited the interview to hear Hugh slice and dice with such grace as he does always to his foes. We get "Snowball" questions and on to Tony Blair. I know there is a method to the madness but it became unbearable when in the discussion of todays volital discourse in the media and in politics, Tony wasn't reminded of his boss and his side calling us unAmerican and Nativists.
Sign Up to Post Your Comments Sign Up to Post Your Comments
Please take a few seconds to sign up, then you’ll be able to post your comments immediately, use the action center, get podcasts, create your own blog and more! If you are already registered, click here.
Note: Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
Salutation:
First Name:
*
Last Name:
*
Email:
*
Address 1:
*
Address 2:
City:
*
State:
*
Zip:
*
Your daily must-read of conservative columns, cartoons and news. Coulter, Sowell, Krauthammer and more.
(Bi-Weekly) We highlight the best opportunities from our partners for surveys, action items and more.
 


Your Blog Postings:
Last updated 14 Minutes 28 Seconds Ago
Last updated 17 Minutes 53 Seconds Ago
Last updated 17 Minutes 57 Seconds Ago
Last updated 24 Minutes 58 Seconds Ago
Last updated 25 Minutes 16 Seconds Ago
 

Archives of our Conservative, Republican, Political Blogs

Blog Search



Townhall Conservative, Republican, Political Blogs Townhall Blogs
Townhall Conservative, Republican, Political Columns Columns
Your Townhall Conservative, Republican, Political Blogs Your Blogs
By Month
 December 2009
 November 2009
 October 2009
 September 2009
 August 2009
 July 2009
 June 2009
 May 2009
 April 2009
 March 2009
 February 2009
 January 2009
 December 2008
 November 2008
 October 2008
 September 2008
 August 2008
 July 2008
By Issue
 A Culture of Life
 Budget & Government
 Campaigns & Elections
 Education
 Energy & Environment
 Faith & Family
 Foreign Affairs
 Health Care
 Immigration
 Jobs & Economy
 Judges & Courts
 Media & Culture
 Property Rights
 Safety & Security
 Science & Technology
 Second Amendment
 Social Security
 Tax Relief
Advertisement

Comments Comments

the lies your Representatives tell......
 Re: What's the Next Step?
  By Patrice
The cowards in the dark.................
 Re: The Acid Test
  By Patrice
they hide in the dark......
 Re: Don't Give Up!
  By Patrice
Where is the truth?
 Re: The Real Cost of Health Care "Reform"
  By Patrice
miss vicky
 Re: The Real Cost of Health Care "Reform"
  By mike
Will the real Obama stand up?
 Re: Obama in Copenhagen: Our Dramatic Breakthrough "Limits Warming To No More Than 2 Degrees"
  By Ronna
I ask all to go to:
 Re: The Real Cost of Health Care "Reform"
  By cottoneyed
doc
 Re: The Real Cost of Health Care "Reform"
  By mike
Axe- 9:12 (2)
 Re: What Was Nelson's Price?
  By BK
Bill wrote:
 Re: Obama in Copenhagen: Our Dramatic Breakthrough "Limits Warming To No More Than 2 Degrees"
  By Riders on the Storm
Axe-9:12
 Re: What Was Nelson's Price?
  By BK
Rhymes with
 Re: What's the Next Step?
  By Careful with that axe, Eugene
BK
 Re: What Was Nelson's Price?
  By Careful with that axe, Eugene
Homer wants to screw Barney
 Re: What Was Nelson's Price?
  By Careful with that axe, Eugene
The trouble with trolls
 Re: What's the Next Step?
  By Santee
mike
 Re: The Real Cost of Health Care "Reform"
  By DocForesight
Axe fails to convince even himself:
 Re: What Was Nelson's Price?
  By homer noble
Socialistic Mentality
 Re: What Was Nelson's Price?
  By BK
This whole situation
 Re: China And India Walk Out Of Copenhagen
  By BK
Mike, I'm not a scholar of the Bible,
 Re: The Real Cost of Health Care "Reform"
  By miss vicky

The Latest on Town HallThe Latest on Town Hall


Blog Roll Blog Roll