As primary season draws to a close, it should come as no surprise that RNC Chairman Michael Steele is desperately trying to walk back the hateful, anti-immigrant attacks that have defined his party since Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070 into law in April.
After publicly supporting Governor Brewer on CNN earlier this year, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele feebly told Univision this week:
"The actions of one state's governor is not a reflection of an entire country, nor is it a reflection of an entire political party."
Hog wash.
Since April, Republicans have banked their political futures on persistent demonization and scapegoating of immigrants--particularly Latinos. From tea party candidates to establishment candidates like John McCain, the GOP has not only embraced racial profiling laws like SB1070, they've also reached new heights of extremism and hate in their attacks on immigrants.
They've talked of land mines and machine guns on the border; they've proposed SB1070 copycat laws in 21 states across the country; and they've launched a campaign to change the U.S. Constitution and end birthright citizenship.
In the coming weeks, SEIU will be taking a closer look at the GOP "doble cara" on English to Spanish airwaves and their insincere flip-flopping on issues that matter to immigrant voters. To kick us off, here's an initial look at some key GOP candidates' support of SB1070--which Steele attempts to deny:
Carly Fiorina, Califonia Senate Candidate
"I support the Arizona law. The people of Arizona did what they felt they had to do, absent the federal government's decision to do its job," Fiorina said to ABC News on May 28, 2010.
Ken Buck, Colorado Senate candidate
"I support the Arizona law. I don't think Arizona wants to be in a position to enact that law, but I don't think they had a choice. In terms of public safety they needed to act. The federal government's policy is broken. And there is no movement that I see to fix that policy," Buck said to the Denver Post on July 18, 2010.
Tom Emmer, MN Gubernatorial Candidate
"I think what Arizona has done is a wonderful first step...I'm very disappointed at the federal government that seems to be now taking issue with the state of Arizona for doing what most of us expect should be done. Enforce the laws, and if you don't like the laws, then change them," Emmer told Minnesota Public Radio on April 28, 2010.
* Check out more coverage of Republicans' stance on immigration at Media Matters' Political Correction.
