Bradley in DC
06-30-2007, 12:15 AM
http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/06/need_for_cooldown_drove_immigr.html#more
Need for Cool-Down Drove Immigration Vote Switch, Says GOP White House Hopeful
By Rachel Kapochunas | 2:15 PM; Jun. 29, 2007 | Email This Article
Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, in his longshot bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, advocates what he calls his “compassionate brand of conservatism.”
And Brownback defined his philosophy as including support for the hotly debated bipartisan Senate immigration overhaul legislation, a measure that included provisions to provide legal status and a path to citizenship for the 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants estimated to be living in the United States. That position put him at odds with most in the crowded Republican presidential contenders, who opposed the bill on grounds that it was too soft on illegal immigration.
But during the crucial Senate vote Thursday that resulted in the scuttling of the immigration bill, Brownback first voted for a “cloture” motion that would have cut off debate and allowed a vote on passage of the legislation, then switched his vote to “no” as the motion headed to a lopsided defeat.
Though some on both sides of the issue accused Brownback of “flip-flopping” once he saw that he would end up on the losing side of the debate, the senator suggested that it was again compassion — this time for a general public deeply divided over how to deal with immigration — that drove his mid-vote change.
Brownback told Congressional Quarterly’s CQToday, “I just concluded as I was on the floor that the country is just not ready.” He added that the issue “just needs to rest for a while.”
Conservative Republicans who described the bill’s provisions providing legal status to illegal immigrants as “amnesty” drove the most intense backlash to the bill. The bill also drew opposition from some liberal Democrats over provisions that would crack down on illegal immigrants, a “guest worker” program that they worried would lead to exploitation of labor, and elements they believed would hinder the reunification of immigrants’ families.
Those looking for clarity about where Brownback stands on immigration may find some in a book he has written, "From Power to Purpose: A Remarkable Journey of Faith and Compassion," that is due to be released July 3.
“We have people crossing our borders illegally and breaking our laws. There need to be consequences for any individual who comes here illegally,” read an excerpt in Brownback’s book release statement Friday. “As much as we can, we also should be as compassionate as possible helping people in difficult circumstances.”
Brownback hopes to reach new voters with his book, as he struggles to gain visibility and break out of the bottom tier in the GOP presidential field. His campaign said the book will introduce readers “to a humble, Midwestern candidate with a strong faith and unique vision for the country.”
On the campaign trail, Brownback contends that “compassion” influences his strongly conservative positions on most social issues, including his opposition to abortion, embryonic stem cell research and assisted suicide.
Michael Sandler contributed to this story.
Need for Cool-Down Drove Immigration Vote Switch, Says GOP White House Hopeful
By Rachel Kapochunas | 2:15 PM; Jun. 29, 2007 | Email This Article
Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, in his longshot bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, advocates what he calls his “compassionate brand of conservatism.”
And Brownback defined his philosophy as including support for the hotly debated bipartisan Senate immigration overhaul legislation, a measure that included provisions to provide legal status and a path to citizenship for the 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants estimated to be living in the United States. That position put him at odds with most in the crowded Republican presidential contenders, who opposed the bill on grounds that it was too soft on illegal immigration.
But during the crucial Senate vote Thursday that resulted in the scuttling of the immigration bill, Brownback first voted for a “cloture” motion that would have cut off debate and allowed a vote on passage of the legislation, then switched his vote to “no” as the motion headed to a lopsided defeat.
Though some on both sides of the issue accused Brownback of “flip-flopping” once he saw that he would end up on the losing side of the debate, the senator suggested that it was again compassion — this time for a general public deeply divided over how to deal with immigration — that drove his mid-vote change.
Brownback told Congressional Quarterly’s CQToday, “I just concluded as I was on the floor that the country is just not ready.” He added that the issue “just needs to rest for a while.”
Conservative Republicans who described the bill’s provisions providing legal status to illegal immigrants as “amnesty” drove the most intense backlash to the bill. The bill also drew opposition from some liberal Democrats over provisions that would crack down on illegal immigrants, a “guest worker” program that they worried would lead to exploitation of labor, and elements they believed would hinder the reunification of immigrants’ families.
Those looking for clarity about where Brownback stands on immigration may find some in a book he has written, "From Power to Purpose: A Remarkable Journey of Faith and Compassion," that is due to be released July 3.
“We have people crossing our borders illegally and breaking our laws. There need to be consequences for any individual who comes here illegally,” read an excerpt in Brownback’s book release statement Friday. “As much as we can, we also should be as compassionate as possible helping people in difficult circumstances.”
Brownback hopes to reach new voters with his book, as he struggles to gain visibility and break out of the bottom tier in the GOP presidential field. His campaign said the book will introduce readers “to a humble, Midwestern candidate with a strong faith and unique vision for the country.”
On the campaign trail, Brownback contends that “compassion” influences his strongly conservative positions on most social issues, including his opposition to abortion, embryonic stem cell research and assisted suicide.
Michael Sandler contributed to this story.