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* UPDATED x2 * Duckworth kinda said she could be for a border wall if it “makes somebody happy”

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* From a “Colbert Report” interview of US Rep. Tammy Duckworth back on 10/7/14…

COLBERT: “You sponsored H.R. 15 which would increase border security. So, we agree on securing the borders. How would you do so?”

DUCKWORTH: “Well I think we are doing a pretty good job of securing the borders now.”

COLBERT: “A wall? Do you believe in a wall?”

DUCKWORTH: “You know, if the wall makes somebody happy and it’s not – then, then fine. But as long as we have comprehensive immigration reform.”

* Video…

* From a Duckworth guy…

This is weak sauce. As was yesterday. She’s for and has been for comprehensive immigration reform, which includes enhanced border security measures, as well as a path to citizenship. I didn’t make a stink about this yesterday, but in 2006, she supported a path to citizenship, as well, which is more than you can say for Kirk. He opposes the DREAM Act, for [crying out loud].

*** UPDATE 1 *** Kirk campaign…

Not accurate. The DREAM Act was incorporated into the 2013 bipartisan immigration reform bill supported by Kirk. Below is a clip from Progress Illinois citing that and it includes the quote below from Cong. Bill Foster praising the DREAM act provisions.

I am especially pleased to see that this plan includes an expedited path to citizenship for DREAMers and access to federal student aid, because we shouldn’t be pushing away talented young students from the only home they have ever known. We should give them a chance to succeed.

*** UPDATE 2 *** From DPI…

Hey Rich,

Hope you’re feeling better from your fall. I just read the update from the Kirk campaign in your Cap Fax post and thought it was important to note that Kirk voted against the DREAM Act in December, 2010 when it had a real chance of passing.

It was also already in the bill when Kirk voted with 14 other hardliners to filibuster comprehensive immigration reform in 2013 — so if we’re being generous, he voted against it several times before voting for it.

More below:

Kirk Voted Against The Dream Act [Chicago Daily Herald, 12/18/10]

Kirk Did Not Support Bill That Would Grant Path To Citizenship For Dreamers Who Had Come To Country As Children. “While Mr. Kirk is a moderate Republican-he supported last week’s failed attempt in the Senate to pass gun control legislation and recently became one of a few Republicans to support gay marriage-he has yet to say whether he’ll vote for immigration reform. […] In the past Mr. Kirk has been considered a hard-liner on the issue. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Chicago, one of the leading congressional advocates of reform, said during the 2010 Senate race that ‘I do not see much difference between (Mr. Kirk’s) views and those of the most xenophobic opponents of reform.’ For example, the senator hasn’t supported citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to this country as children, as outlined in the so-called Dream Act sponsored by Mr. Durbin. The Senate bill introduced last week beefs up border protection and provides a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants after a 13-year wait, payment of penalties and other requirements.” [Crain’s Chicago Business, 4/22/13]

Kirk Voted To Filibuster Comprehensive Immigration Reform In 2013, siding with conservative hardliners. It was only after a significant amount of criticism in Illinois for “inexplicably” siding “with the most conservative hardliners” that he switched positions and voted for the bill. [CQ, 6/11/13, S.744, Vote 146, 6/11/13] [Chicago Sun-Times, Lynn Sweet, 6/14/13], [Joliet Herald News, Editorial, 6/13/13]

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:04 am

Comments

I’m ready to write in Colin Powell for IL Senate.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:12 am
So Tammy was for the Wall before she was against the Wall?

Comment by Lee County Whig Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:14 am
Kirk or Duckworth, I do not fear the future regardless of who wins.

I cant say the same for the race at the top.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:14 am
“I think we’re doing a pretty good job now…” Then how many MORE million illegal immigrants would a “not doing a very good job” reply require?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:21 am
Agree: this is weak sauce. But Rep. Duckworth needs to be better about not just being reactive and trying to pounce on everything Sen. Kirk says. Tell us more about what you want for Illinois and America. In this climate, the people on the fence want to hear what you are for, not what you are against.

Comment by Curious Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:21 am
Surely Pete can do better than “weak sauce.”

Comment by Jackie Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:40 am
So she is for building a wall on the border like Trump is. I wonder if Luis agrees with that.

Comment by Adams Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:40 am
Anyone relying on Colbert for information on anything needs to understand the fundamental difference between news and entertainment.

Newsworthy individuals should avoid Colbert or risk doing what Duckworth just did.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:41 am
Pretty simple logic for Tammy here. Making it easier for illegals to come here gets her money from business interests that exploit them. Mostly the poor and uneducated come here illegally, so giving them a way to get on welfare and public support will make them vote Dem for life, since the Dem political scheme is to take from those who won’t vote for them and give the money to those who will.

Since large percentages of the incarcerated are from these groups, it helps the correctional officer unions keep busy, and adds students to the schools that would otherwise need layoffs and cost reductions due to declining enrollment.

Bringing in illegals is a big win-win-win for Dems.

The only “losers” here will be those killed, robbed and injured by illegals, and those who need to have their taxes raised to pay for their welfare (after amnesty), those Americans who can’t get entry level jobs because illegals do it more cheaply, and those who believe in the rule of law.

Seems that both Kirk and Tammy are on that same boat…unfortunately. Can I write in Joe Arpaio?LOL

Comment by Illinois Bob Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:42 am
Weak mole? Now I’m hungry.

She does need to tighten up her position on this important issue. While conceding increased border security to get a comprehensive package done is a welcome gesture, I certainly do not agree that we are doing a “pretty good job” of border security and doubt even the 12+ million (or whatever the number is) people awaiting such reform would agree.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:46 am
What ever happened to the “fence” that politicians have promised ever since the Reagan administration? What is the distinction between a “wall” and a “fence”?

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:56 am
Pretty smart idea to get the Trump voters

Comment by Clark Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 10:56 am
Me thinks the “fence” or “wall” is hidden in the Social Security lock box.

Comment by Henry Wallace Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:16 am
In summary, especially with the update, is seems like an awful lot of yelling about pointing out differences on an issue where there really isn’t much of a difference.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:22 am
Does any of it matter? Isn’t 99.5% of one’s senate vote determined by the party they want controlling the senate? Mark Kirk could turn into Tammy Baldwin and it wouldn’t make sense for a progressive to vote for him. Tammy Duckworth could turn into Jeff Sessions and I’d still vote for her because without senate control, little of HRC’s agenda could get a vote (or alternatively it would be much easier to block GOP initiatives). National politics is so calcified that these kind of debates over specific policy and character belong to a bygone era.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:32 am
I’m not sure a wall is going to be much good after watching a guy climb to the 21st floor on the outside of Trump Tower using a couple of giant suction cubs. Might be time for Trump to rethink his plan.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:32 am
The real news question is how did she go on Colbert without being coached that you shouldn’t grant the premise of the question?! It’s a fake show for goodness sake - all the questions are some version of “When did you stop beating your wife?”

Comment by Century Club Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:35 am
Illinois Bob….perhaps you aren’t aware of this

https://boingboing.net/2016/08/03/mexico-us-illegal-migration-ha.html

Of course it’s always easier to make an argument when you have a straw man to lean on.

Comment by Galena Guy Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:52 am
Make it STOP!!!!!!!

So if I’m reading this race correctly from several comment threads here on capfax: Many Democrats are not happy with Tammy or her potential for effective local representation but are going to vote for her anyway mainly because they hope to achieve the numbers necessary to regain the Senate. And many Republicans are not happy with Kirk and worry about his potential for effective local representation, but they will vote for him anyway mainly because they hope to achieve the numbers necessary to retain the Senate. What a way to run a railroad.

Comment by Responsa Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:56 am
And I Approved This Message - Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:32 am:

“I’m not sure a wall is going to be much good after watching a guy climb to the 21st floor on the outside of Trump Tower using a couple of giant suction cubs. Might be time for Trump to rethink his plan.”

Please!. That old phony argument is only used by those who do not think or support open borders. Walls/fences work but they must be monitored- everyone, or at least everyone should know that.
They work quite well in Korea where we have 27,000 troops.

Comment by Federalist Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 12:02 pm
- Galena Guy - Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 11:52 am:

Illinois Bob….perhaps you aren’t aware of this

https://boingboing.net/2016/08/03/mexico-us-illegal-migration-ha.html

“Of course it’s always easier to make an argument when you have a straw man to lean on.”

Yea right, I suggest everybody reading this site do as Galena Guy says and read this story and then pay attention to who wrote it and the other material they post. If you come away beieiving anything it says I have a lot of valuable stuff to sell you, real cheap, trust me.

Comment by Federalist Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 12:09 pm
Be careful what you say, Congresswoman. Politics. Never. Forgets.

Comment by John Charles Fremont Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 12:26 pm
Kirk is a GOPer just like the rest of HIS party.

Comment by jerry in chicago Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 12:28 pm
Duckworth is on the supporting a wall, it trumps (no pun intended) the history of Kirks support of the DREAM Act…

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 12:32 pm
that should read, “on tape” above…

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 12:32 pm
Yes one’s own words are in fact ‘weak sauce’

Then again I guess that’s a better response from a ‘Duckworth guy’ than.

“Oh crap, she said that?”

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 1:18 pm
Here’s the bigger news - DPI is providing rapid response for a race that doesn’t involve a Madigan caucus member

Comment by Quinnfan Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 1:23 pm
I think if all the parties get in a room, meaning Kirk, 2006 Duckworth, and 2016 Duckworth, there’s a real chance of bridging differences and compromise here.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 1:39 pm
Tammy needs to go away and not speak in public in order to win. Every time she talks, she comes across as singularly unimpressive. Why she was slated, I will never know other than she will follow orders from party bosses.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 11, 16 @ 2:06 pm