2008 Mike Huckabee on Pakistan and the Border Fence
posted by on December 28 at 15:49 PM
Apologies for the long block quote, but this is quite a remarkable series of statements (and misstatements) from the man who is currently leading all other Republicans in Iowa:
DES MOINES — Mike Huckabee used the volatile situation in Pakistan Friday to make an argument for building a fence on the American border with Mexico and found himself trying to explain a series of remarks about Pakistanis and their nation.On Thursday night he told reporters in Orlando, Fla.: “We ought to have an immediate, very clear monitoring of our borders and particularly to make sure if there’s any unusual activity of Pakistanis coming into the country.”
On Friday, in Pella, Iowa, he expanded on those remarks.
“When I say single them out I am making the observation that we have more Pakistani illegals coming across our border than all other nationalities except those immediately south of the border,” he told reporters in Pella. “And in light of what is happening in Pakistan it ought to give us pause as to why are so many illegals coming across these borders.”
In fact, far more illegal immigrants come from the Philippines, Korea, China and Vietnam, according to recent estimates from the Department of Homeland Security.
Asked how a border fence would help keep out Pakistani immigrants, Mr. Huckabee argued that airplane security was already strong, but that security at the southern United States border was dangerously weak.
“The fact is that the immigration issue is not so much about people coming to pick lettuce or make beds, it’s about someone coming with a shoulder-fired missile,” he said.
The sudden emergency in Pakistan and Mr. Huckabee’s response come at a time when he has come under increasing scrutiny from opponents for his lack of fluency in foreign policy issues, and the situation in Pakistan appeared to have challenged him.
“We have seen what happens in the Musharraf government,” Mr. Huckabee said on MSNBC. “He has told us he does not have enough control of those eastern borders near Afghanistan to be able go after the terrorists. But on the other hand, did he not want us going in, so what do we do?” Those borders are actually on the west, not the east.
Further, he offered an Orlando crowd his “apologies for what has happened in Pakistan.” His aides said later that he meant to say “sympathies.” He also said he was worried about martial law “continuing” in Pakistan, although Mr. Musharraf lifted the state of emergency on Dec. 15. His campaign told CBS News that his statement was not a blunder.
Christ almighty, what a turd.
Sweet Jesus he's retarded.
I personally believe that US Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the US should help the US or should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us.
eli, i love you like non other, but again i must posit the question: why the hell is anyone even giving the republicans the time of day? how can anyone take these lunatics seriously? i don't care if they are crowing from the rooftops in pink tutus...i don't even want to know their NAMES. huckabee? huckabee who?
"it’s about someone coming with a shoulder-fired missile".
Uh-huh. The paranoid style lives on. But really, who can possibly tell the difference between a Paki and a Mexican?
Didn't Borat do a bit, cut from the movie, where he wrapped a shirt around his head like a turban and toted a car muffler on his shoulder across the Mexican border just to see if the Minutemen would shoot at him?
If I was Obama or Clinton or Edwards, I'd be salivating at the thought of running against this guy.
It seems as if a simple blanket ban on allowing people to cross the border if they happen to be carrying shoulder-fired missiles would accomplish the same goal nicely.
@3 ooooh- what HE said... and, that said, the Pakis aren't gonna be coming here at ALL- because they've got a better deal in their new home, Canada, now that the dollars there are worth more than ours. Hell, they might come to shop-as the $$ weakens- but why would they want to stay? Unless, of course, the upward wage/value spiral encourages the BritCanucks to quit growing pot & get real jobs, driving trucks & running snowblowers, etc that push the Pakis across the border... ^..^
@5 That's tough... but you CAN tell a Yakama from a Mexican- because the Mexican has a JOB- because the Yakamas finally got tired of working for the land usurpers, and traditional slavery is harder & harder to hide... and because it's better to hire someone who you don't understand that'll never consider taking you to court... and... like that. ^..^
These statements demonstrate why it is critical to encourage presidential candidates to comment on world events that have nothing whatsoever to do with their candidacy. I'll gladly put up with Clinton and Obama jabbing at each other pointlessly if it means priceless quotes like this.
@3: Such as. For the children.
Oh please, we all know what's gonna happen after the 2008 "elections."
1) 2008: Reverend Preznit Huckabee “elected.”
2) 2009: US Constitution abolished, replaced with Old Testament because God wants to protect our freedoms.
3) 2010: US re-named the Republic of Gilead. Jews, Blacks encouraged to move to the hip and happening “colonies.” Ann Coulter renames self Serena Joy.
4) 2011: You lucky, lucky het guys prepare for your Econowives; het gals prepare for “freedom from.” Political and religious dissidents, abortionists, homosexuals politely informed they will be transitioning to the afterlife.
@11: perfectly said. i can see it all happening, can't you? i'll swing from the "gender traitors" wall for sure. that book should be called prophesy, not fiction.
I should add:
2) Democrats heatedly object to abolishing US Constitution, promise to hold hearings then later admit they don't have the votes to stop it. Joe Biden promises reforms during a break from his new job as a male prostitute in the Larry Craig wing of Jezebels.
all them little brown peoples look alike to him.
I really really really hope he gets the nomination. Although, I felt that way about Bush too.
Yeah, I hear ya Papayas. He actually might be stupid enough for the American electorate. They sure don't look for intelligence or insight in their preznits.
Of course the Pakistanis could dig a really, really deep hole and end up somewhere in Iowa. And they'll be carrying their shoulder fired missiles. Beware the peril of the invading hordes!!!
a runaway freight train is a beautiful thing.
@6 - If you outlaw shoulder-fired missiles, only the outlaws will have shoulder-fired missiles.
OH NO, Lock yer doors-The brown people are coming!!!!
Voters, disappointed with a president of only moderately low mental capacity, are demanding leaders with retardation of even greater depth and breadth.
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