Schaffer Udall Illegal Immigration Forum

On Saturday Bob Schaffer and Mark Udall attended the Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs’ Immigration Debate--"Towards a Spirituality of Justice: A Day on Immigration" in the gym of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colorado Springs. The following video recaps highlight the opening statements, Q&A, and closing remarks from the two main candidates, Schaffer and Udall.

While Bob Kinsey of the Green Party blamed Bush for 9/11 and decried what he called the "demonization" of illegal immigrants and Doug "Dayhorse" Campbell provided a few moments of levity on behalf of the American Constitution Party, Schaffer and Udall were the big draw, and only their responses (in their entirety) are included below. Each question is marked by an introductory title--"On Mexico" or "On Free Trade"--and due to the format, Udall repeatedly ended up talking after Schaffer, who was quick to point out Udall's mistatements and fabrications.

Introduction and Opening Statements:



Part 2--On Illegal Immigration and Border Security:



Part 3--On Free Trade and Mexico:



Closing Statements:

A Campaign Quote Raises Questions

Mark Udall was quoted in the Cherry Creek News:

Speaking about the coming campaign and the issues to define it, Udall said “the outlines are clear- Iraq, the economy, immigration.” Udall said that undocumented immigrants must “travel the path to citizenship— pay a fine (for being in the U.S. illegally), speak English, have committed no crimes.” “We must address... the health care system where families are one illness away from bankruptcy.”

Udall, a westerner, said that Colorado issues would play a key role in the Senate race: water, transportation and creating more transit options. He also emphasized that Colorado’s position for renewable energy and the jobs it could create was strong, given our resources and the presence of the National Renewable Energy lab in Golden.

Someday we must remember to ask if Mark Udall considers it acceptable for (as he says) an undocumented immigrant to gain his citizenship if he went through Bill Ritter's agricultural trespass plea bargain mill.

Note that Mark Udall is not all that interested in talking about his part in the bark beetle crisis, his refusal to allow either clear cutting of fire breaks to reduce the size of a probable forest fire or the harvesting of dying trees by lumber companies.

We wonder if Mark Udall will be willing to talk about his part in his staff's railroading of Caroline Bninski into a one year jail term.

Is Mark Udall proud to be associated with Daily Kos to the point that they were setting up his own personal blog on that site?

So many questions and so few answers. Oh, and our favorite, the Department of Peace?