THREAD UPDATED FROM 5/20/07

Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), was booed at his state party’s convention this weekend over his support for the Kennedy-McCain immigration reform bill. Apparently, the disapproval didn’t register with the former Jag lawyer, as evidenced by his combative performance on “FOX News Sunday.”

“To my colleagues who have come on the floor to tear this bill down with no alternative, you’re not doing this country a service and I will push back,” said Graham. “If you’ve got a better idea and you can lead us to a better solution, I’m all for it. But if all you’re going to do is embrace the status quo, I’m going to be your biggest critic.”

Graham, who at times has seemed to be running for the 2nd spot on the McCain ticket, is probably feeling like an opportunity is passing by him, as John McCain’s bid flounders under the weight of this most recent clash with the conservative faithful. Graham was not alone among Republicans on the Sunday talk shows in taking an outspoken line of defense on the bill. “I have the impression that perhaps for some people, the only thing that would not be amnesty is mass deportation,” Commerce Sect’y Carlos Gutierrez said on CNN’s “Late Edition.” “We don’t think that’s practical, we don’t think that’s logical, we don’t think that’s humane and that would hurt our economy. So it’s not amnesty.”

I want to make a couple of points for these two gentlemen.

First, Senator Graham, if you want alternatives, then you’re going to have to postpone the cloture vote that has been reportedly scheduled for early this week, and entertain the debate on this bill that the American People deserve.

Second, Sec. Gutierrez, there are many viable positions between the two polar extremes you outlined in your strawman argument. And, just because you think that mass deportation is not a viable option, it’s a false dichotomy to claim that as a result, the Kennedy Bill is the only logical conclusion. Frankly, I haven’t heard anyone calling for mass deportations. We’ve been calling for border security. After 9/11, it seems odd to me that this is such a foreign idea to the Administration. As a matter of fact, we thought we had won an important victory with the Secure Fence Bill last year. To find out that less than five miles of the 698 miles of promised fence has been built since then undermines the Administration’s credibility with the enforcement claims that have been touted in the Kennedy Bill.

Others blogging this topic: everybody! see also Politico

Hugh Hewitt spent his weekend reading…..thanks Hugh!

And so did NZ Bear (I am impress)

Update: Kathryn Jean Lopez has Mike Chertoff’s words of wisdom on CNN…

You know, Wolf, first, I understand there’s some people who expect anything other than capital punishment is an amnesty. The reality is the proposal here requires people who came in illegally who want to stay to pay a penalty. Like a fine. That’s a punishment. That’s not an amnesty.

Secretary Chertoff and Secretary Gutierrez sound embarrassingly similar in their arguments, don’t they. Hehe. Dang, boys, we’ve spent the better part of the last 3 years defending your poor attempts at rhetoric. And you’re going to try and pull this Duelling Secretaries strawman argument sh1t with your own base? With all due respect gentlemen, you can kiss my foot, dirty toenails and all.

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