Just when we thought we knew her answer, Hillary Rodham Clinton flips back yet again.
Clinton today told CNN's Candy Crowley that she doesn't, in fact, support driver's licenses for illegal aliens.
That may come as a surprise to her campaign, which has been telling reporters she "broadly" supports New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's policy, though they rightfully point out Spitzer's plan is somewhat of a moving target.
As of today, it appears Clinton now supports illegal aliens obtaining licenses in some states, but not all. Here's the excerpt from Crowley's interview with Clinton:
CROWLEY: If I wrote a story that said: 'Absent a broad illegal immigration bill, Hillary Clinton agrees about giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants,' is that correct?
CLINTON: No. What I have said is that I support what governors are trying to do. And governors are on the front lines because of the failures to get comprehensive immigration reform.
There are already eight states that issues driver's licenses without any verification of citizenship. That is a decision that the governors and legislatures and the people of those states have made. I understand …
CROWLEY: But you see why people think …
CLINTON: Well, but you know, Candy …
CROWLEY: … that you are not answering the question.
CLINTON: Well, but you know, Candy, well, but I think that if you go back and look at the complexity of this issue, I don't think a lot of these hard questions lend themselves to raising your hand. And I know that that's easier in a 30-second context to try to do.
I think the fact that governors are being forced into this position is really unfortunate. They should not be making immigration policy. The federal government should be making immigration policy, and that's what I'm going to try to do as president again, and I do not believe that in the context of federal immigration reform that that would be an issue that governors would have to contend with.
CROWLEY: So it's — I know it's not a yes-or-no question to you, but you've had some time here, and the problem is that people can't quite get a hold of is: for a governor at this time, do you think it's a good idea for them to offer driver's licenses to illegal immigrants?
CLINTON: It depends upon what state they're in. It depends upon what they think the risks are. You know. A governor of New York that has a lot of immigrants, many of whom we know are not their legally, has to worry about security. A governor of another state where that's not a problem, doesn't.
This issue has been so politicized and I understand that because you can score points. You can score all kinds of political demagogic points but the fact is if we don’t have comprehensive immigration reform, which for me includes toughening the borders, much harder sanctions on employers, doing more to help local communities that are stuck with the bill on all kinds of services. And bringing immigrants out of the shadows.
And if they ever committed a crime where they came from or here, immediately deport them. But for the others, have a tough path to earned legalization. Pay back taxes. Pay fines. Learn English. Wait in line.
And once you got somebody on the record registered, deported the criminals, instead they had to keep on the right side of the law, keep making a living and do all of these other things I've outlined, that would be the appropriate time to give them some kind of license.
But I understand — I'm not going to be second-guessing governors who have to do the hard work of figuring out what's best for their state.
— Stephen Dinan, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (17)
Hillary is a liar and will sell out America for a few votes.
Posted by Mike | November 6, 2007 6:24 PM
Yes, yes and no. "It depends on what the meaning of 'illegal' is." Oh wait, I meant it depends on who the audience is. Silly me, I really wanted to say it depends on what talking points my focus group decided on today. Oh gosh, giggle, laugh, ha ha, I just mean to say, don't ever ask me such a difficult question again. Especially since 77% of Americans don't like the idea even though my kook fringe lefties love the idea.
Posted by Beak | November 6, 2007 7:16 PM
Hillary lies so often, nothing will get her to stop. She wants to lie like the bright child she is, and thinks she can always get away with it because she is so cute.
Hillary is a bright child but should be spanked to break her of this habit, before she grows up and thinks she can still get away with it.
What would you do if your child lied like she does?
Tom
newshannonspeople@blogspot.com
Posted by tommy shannon | November 6, 2007 8:00 PM
Does the woman ever listen to herself?
Posted by chuck | November 6, 2007 9:13 PM
My husband and I were going to vote for Hillary but no more-after finding out she was fighting for illegals and for rewarding them with benefits and services our own people deserve. We Americans are fed up with taking second place in our own country. BUILD THE WALL,ENFORCE THE LAW,DEPORT THEM ALL.
Posted by Sherry Ruhge | November 6, 2007 9:16 PM
My GOD, all the pressing issues in America and the Democrats put forward a canadate that will say anything to get elected.
Let's get real canadates, all of you, America [cares about] this election and illegal immigration is at the top of the list.
The winner will be the honest canadate who supports the American voters in sending the illegal immigrants running home!
Posted by mlimberg | November 6, 2007 9:30 PM
To: Traitor Clinton
A TREASONOUS OFFENSE
The oaths of office is a statement of loyalty to our constitution as well as an oath to the state constitution that the office holder will be serving, which The President and every member of the United States Congress takes. It is often considered a treasonous or highly illegal offense to betray one's oath of office.
And to break the oath, as we have seen, is to betray the sacred order that is invoked in the oath, it is to commit a kind of treason against the political order, and it is to invite punishment from the highest sources of moral order.
You got elected to the Senate by persuading the people that you are upright, patriotic, God-fearing person. How can you be God-fearing if you break a promise made before God, if you can commit a crime against God, and think nothing of it? How can you be a patriot if -- by violating your oath of office -- you indifferently commit a treasonous act? How can you be upright if your promises mean nothing?
Lady you are a fraud, you are a pathological liar, cynical without honor, in the Lou Dobb show you stand before the cameras and lie to the American people, your support for the illegal aliens, criminals that broke our laws is disgusting, your action are in violation of our constitution and the rule of law, promoting an invasion of illegal immigrants and given sanctuary to these criminals is a betrayal to the people you were elected to represent, Americans voted for you, they choose you to represent them and you betray their trust by representing the illegal aliens for the purpose of providing cheap labor to the greedy unscrupulous business and corporations, you are part of this slave trade and god have mercy on you and your family. Just remember what ever you do you will get pay back.
God bless you and have mercy on you and your family.
Juan Reynoso
voteforamerica@hotmail.com
Posted by Juan Reynoso | November 6, 2007 9:46 PM
So...what then is Hillary's position on granting drivers licenses to illegals? I'm still not sure after this clarification.
She DOES believe that we need broad immigration reform by the federal government, on that she is crystal clear. Instead of hiding behind the coat sleeves of state governors, would it be asking too much to know her exact position on this issue? Or are we just being impertinent?
Posted by rigo | November 6, 2007 9:51 PM
After reading what Hillary had to say, all I can say is: What?
Posted by Tony | November 6, 2007 10:07 PM
Just enforce the law. Enforce,Enforce, Enforce the law, its that simple. Deport them all if they are here illegally. Build a huge fence.
Posted by Jim | November 6, 2007 10:53 PM
"The federal government should be making immigration policy, and that's what I'm going to try to do as president again."
So she thinks she was President before? Like in previously I was a President? I was a President before and now I get to be President AGAIN?????
What?
Self Centered Egomaniac Liar me thinks she is...
Posted by scott Mckeever | November 6, 2007 11:26 PM
To be honest, I'm all for the benefits to be shared by illegals, with the understanding so many of them work hard and take up jobs that no one wants. I am a student at the University of Florida, and A microbiology major. I walk around campus and see your average pan handler.......help me will work for food. I look and wonder to myself is this guy not an American why not get a job at a fast-food place or at worst as a field hand? No, Americans today want handouts, they do not want to see the sweat, and blood pouring from their backs. They want the world to see them crying and stop and listen. The illegal population whether we like it or not is a pivotal corner stone on which America sits so proudly on. Look up the statistics on how many illegal people live here and work here. What do you suppose happens to all the unclaimed taxes by these individuals? Then ask yourself why we aren't so quick to build this wall? I know my grammar could use some work, but please note I'm a Microbiology & Cell Science major not an English major.
Posted by Antonio Medina | November 7, 2007 9:07 AM
To all the people that say "Just kick all the illegals out"
What do you think would happen to the US economy if you Kicked out 12 million people?
Can you say Deflation! Look at Japan. They have a birth rate of 1.8 and then locked their borders. They've been stagnet for 15 years now.
Remember the 80's they were going to buy the USA. Then they locked down their borders.
I'm for locking our borders down. But if they are hear and working and own a house, We better find a way to integrate them!
Posted by Craig | November 7, 2007 11:54 AM
I think that there should be a licenses in every state. There should not be allowed to have Immagrants in to our world. Some people say that they should not have laws or immigration policy. They should make a policy for crimes and criminals. I feel that Hillary is not actually doing everything right but i do feel that she is a good and respectable person.
Posted by Sarah | November 8, 2007 6:50 PM
If some of us complain about illegal aliens then we're called racist. But the facts are that illegal aliens do come here illegally and get jobs with stolen Social Security numbers. They then sent 25 billion dollars a year back to Mexico, at the same time holding out their hand for public assistance. It costs the American tax payer around 50 billion dollars a year to pay for their Free medical care,Rent assistance, Food stamps, Translators for their children in our public schools and Free lunches. American cities along the border provide free emergency medical care for Mexican citizens, and what do the pregnant Mexican women do in return? They come across the border to have their babies (American citizens). How about Elvira Arellano and her child, she was deported came back, had the child and return to work with a stolen Social Security number,she also had been in our country for 10 years, but had to have a translator at her news conference! Earlier this year illegal aliens demonstrated in the streets of our cities demanding amnesty by flying the American flag upside down below the Mexican flag and carrying signs saying "this land is ours Gringo" I would ask the supporters of illegal aliens what do you tell the millions of immigrants waiting in other countries that want to come here legally? Just because we share a common border that they can wade across to get here,does not give them the automatic right to American Citizenship Its worth more than that! "
Posted by Daave Avery | November 9, 2007 10:17 PM
Honestly, I am only seeing one candidate that hasnt changed his stances and one one that has actually proposed things that can have a HUGE impact on whats going on in both this country and the world. Here's the catch, he has been saying the same thing since he ran for presidency back in 1988 and he said back then, if we dont change what we are doing our economy will crash. Anyway, those of you that know who I'm talking about I dont need to mention his name, if you dont... Look up Mr. Paul.
Posted by Joshua | January 16, 2008 9:26 AM
flag Mexican are
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