What an absolutely pathetic man. Having to manage politicians like they’re children is getting old. I do wonder how much Hillary had to do with this. After her absurd debate performance on the issue, it’s safe to say this is the last thing she wanted hanging around during her pseudo-campaign season.
Spitzer will drop license plan for illegal immigrants
A humbled Gov. Eliot Spitzer — facing an insurrection from New York Democrats — is ditching his controversial plan to grant driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants that provoked a massive national backlash.
Spitzer will announce he’s “scrapping the plan” after a meeting of the state’s congressional delegation on Capitol Hill this morning, according to his spokeswoman, Christine Anderson. The license proposal had proven to be a political albatross for Democratic supporters, especially Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was grilled on the issue during a debate in Philadelphia late last month.
Spitzer is expected to tell the delegation that “immigration is a federal, not a state issue,” said one congressional source familiar with the governor’s thinking.
That explanation is virtually identical to Clinton’s statements on the issue — and gives the Democratic front-runner a ready-made answer when the topic is inevitably raised at tomorrow’s Democratic debate in Las Vegas.
In other words, it’s Hillary who will give all illegal aliens driver licenses, so don’t you worry your pretty little Metro Sexual head Eliot. After all, Hillary now owes you–you’ve given her the perfect non-answer about this issue, too. “It’s a federal issue.” Okay, and so what re you going to do about it?
Wait, I suppose that depends on what the meaning of “illegal” is. Is.
UPDATE 11/14:
As expected, Spitzer had his press conference today, all the while complaining about how all us ignorant rubes ruined his plan to make the world better.
You want a textbook example of what “arrogant SOB” means? Listen to the news coverage is this man’s press conference. Priceless.
It’s great that Spritzer caved but he did it only because of party politics and having Hillary look bad. Illegal immigration in general is a losing issue for Democrats and they know it despite the Herculean propaganda effort from the EM. Spitzer knew from the minute he announced his intent the people of New York were overwhelmingly against it, but he stubbornly persisted until Hillary got herself tangled up in his mess.  The people of New York be damned but don’t mess with Hillary.
Spitzer is expected to tell the delegation that “immigration is a federal, not a state issue,” said one congressional source familiar with the governor’s thinking.
That’s what I kept asking about. We had a big discussion about federal preemption here on the blog a few months ago. How is it Hazleton, PA can’t regulate housing permits for illegals because of federal preemption but states can issue drivers licenses to illegal immigrants?  An ACLU challenge to New York for stepping into federal domain was conspicuously absent.   I was hopping mad over Hazleton’s defeat at the time and now even more because federal preemption is clearly a legality selective used. It’s unequal treatment under the law.
That explanation is virtually identical to Clinton’s statements on the issue…
This is completely absurd. If anything can be deciphered from Hillary’s rambling replies to repeated questions specifically phrased to elicit a “yes” or “no”, it is that she favored “what the governors are trying to do”. How does that get construed as “immigration is a federal, not a state issue?
The press will tell us night is day if that’s what Hillary needs.
Spitzer’s an idiot. Did he ever give a proper explanation for WHY this was such a “great” idea, other than HE felt like doing it?
Obviosuly, Bulldozer Elliot wasn’t paying attention to how the events of 9/11 unfolded, or that we already have enough of a problem with illegals in this country. This idiotic plan would have opened the floodgates for anyone in this country illegally looking for a piece of I.D.
The only reason why this guy is even a Governor is because he ran against a potted plant. If a cinderblock runs against him in the next election, it would behoove all New Yorkers to vote for the cinderblock.
God, these clips you’re playing are making steam come out of my ears. Spitzer is such a smug, self-righteous ______ (I need to censor myself right now.)
He is a supreme example of a malignant narcissist.
As a resident from NY I can tell you this was the “it” story each day. Did Spitzer hear the people? No. He heard Hillary. Don’t think for one moment he is not gunning for AG. He is the most opportunistic politician I have ever seen in this state.
At our local DMV’s, which by the way are run by Dems, big signs and petitions were posted to ‘let the Gov. know we are against giving illegals licenses!” You knew then it was over. But the outrage was intense and reflected in our local elections..so surprised, no. Happy yes.
Eliot in deep political trouble in NY. But it will only last a day or two, after all this is Hillary land. Thank goodness for the internet or I would have to use dots and dashes in my communications..
Tammy, today in Oklahoma we are celebrating our 100th birthday as a state. One of the greatest things about this quiet, peaceful state is that we the people govern. By law. Any proposed state tax must be approved by the voters first, before being enacted.
Likewise, our tough illegal immigration bill became law on November 1, ’07, after surviving two constitutional challenges in court.
Why? Because we, the people, demanded it. And our Democrat Governor, Brad Henry signed it!
Now, it’s been learned that seven other states, KS, NE, MT, FL, NJ, TX, and CA are interested in seeing our law, to maybe copy it for their citizens. The legal ones.
Sadly, New York hasn’t. Instead, they remain mired in a madness of irrationality and non-representation by their elected leaders.
Oklahoma’s House Bill 1804, effective Nov. 1, established criminal penalties for harboring, transporting or concealing illegal immigrants. It denies them public benefits. It also requires businesses to run all new workers through a verification system.
The legislation also could cut off in-state tuition for illegal immigrant students unless they can verify they have applied for citizenship or plan to within one year. It requires local law enforcement to check the immigration status of those it suspects of being illegal immigrants upon felony or DUI arrests. It also denies illegal immigrants’ driver’s licenses.
We’re doin’ fine (here in) Oklahoma, and we expect to lead the way with our uncommon sense laws in this 21st Century, Tammy!