Arizona governor hits back against Obama border remark on YouTube
by Ginger Rough - May. 7, 2010
The Arizona Republic
azcentral.com
Gov. Jan Brewer took a swipe at President Barack Obama
Video..
youtube.com
on Friday, releasing a YouTube video that criticizes the commander in chief for making light of the Arizona's border struggles.
The piece, which was released by Brewer's election campaign, flashes statistics about border-related crime, then cuts to video of Obama's
remarks at the recent White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Brewer's letter on immigration to President Obama
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The governor's letters to the Obama administration and Congress
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In the snippet, Obama is at the podium and says, "We all know what happens in Arizona when you don't have ID. Adios, amigos,"
His remarks, which were in reference to SB 1070 — the state's tough new immigration law — and Republican Sen. John McCain's assertion that he has not been identified as a maverick, drew laughter from the crowd.
The Brewer campaign video then fades to a stark black screen that says, "No one in Arizona is laughing. Do your job and secure the border."
Brewer, who signed the legislation into law on April 23, has repeatedly said in public appearances and on the stump that the Obama administration and Congress have ignored multiple requests for border security assistance.
Her campaign reiterated that on Friday.
In response to a request from The Republic, the Governor's office turned over a letter to the president, two others that were sent to the Obama administration and Congress, seeking assistance or funding on border security issues, as well as additional remarks and speeches on the same topic.
The White House declined to officially comment on the video Friday, but an administration official referred The Republic to other remarks the president has recently made in which he acknowledged the illegal immigration challenges facing the nation.
On April 23, during a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members, President Obama went on to tout steps his administration has taken under Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, including strengthening security at the nation's borders, ports and airports.
The administration also pointed to the president's comments on Cinco de Mayo as evidence of its commitment to address the problem.
"The way to fix our broken immigration system is through common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform," the president said. "We need bipartisan support. But it can be done. And it needs to be done." |
