2006 NJ Senate Race - Politics NJ - Menendez accuses Kean of flip-flop on immigration

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Thursday, May 18, 2006

Menendez accuses Kean of flip-flop on immigration

By BILL ALBERS
PoliticsNJ.com

MAY 18- A press conference for State Sen. Thomas H. Kean, Jr. held in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty in Jersey City yesterday morning sparked an intense debate on the issue of immigration between the Republican State Senator and his opponent, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez.

Kean set out a far more conservative course at this press conference than one held last week at the State House on May 8th. Following that initial event, The Record reported that, "Kean, Menendez think alike on immigration."

This time, however, there was no mistaking the difference between the candidates.

"Bob Menendez has said he's working to support a path to citizenship for those who have broken the law and are here illegally," said Kean during the press conference. "I think that's wrong."

When asked if he would support deportation for the estimated 11,000,000 illegal immigrants in the United States, Senator Kean stated that, "I think that should be included in the bill, yes."

Kean also reiterated support for 'smart fencing', an increase in the number of border agents, and an increase in the number of detention facilities.

Shortly after the press conference was over, the Kean and Menendez campaigns opened fire on each other, accusing each other of flip-flopping on the issue of immigration.

"Tom Kean, Jr. either doesn't believe anything on immigration, or else he's willing to say anything to get elected," said Brian Fallon, Menendez's campaign spokesman, in a statement released earlier today.

"He won't debate his primary opponent because he's too busy debating himself."

Fallon pointed back to Kean's previous statements on immigration, where the State Senator said "those who are here illegally, they will have an incentive to come out of the shadows." He also pointed out that Kean had opposed felony charges for illegal immigrants on May 8th, but today stated, "I think we need to go more towards the House position." Many have characterized the bill that passed the House as a "criminalization" of illegal immigration.

Kean's spokeswoman, Jill Hazelbaker, categorically denied that Senator Kean was 'flip flopping' on the issue.


"He said it last week and said it again today," claimed Hazelbaker. "Unlike Senator Menendez, Tom does not support a path to citizenship for those who are here illegally."

Hazelbaker fired back at the Menendez campaign for claiming to support immigration reform on the campaign trail, but voting against immigration reform in Congress.

"There's a Washington Bob and a New Jersey Bob; a Senator Bob and a candidate Bob," charged Hazelbaker. "Just today, he voted against increasing the amount of fencing and improving vehicle barriers installed along the southwest border of the United States."

"That kind of phony leadership is what New Jersey doesn't need," Hazelbaker charged.

Menendez spokesman Matt Miller dismissed the charge.

"One thing about Bob Menendez is that when he takes a position, you can count on him to stand by it and not change his position in a week," Miller fired back.

David Rebovich, Managing Director of the Rider Institute for New Jersey Politics, theorized that Kean changed his position because immigration could be a valuable wedge issue in both the November general election and the June primary.

"He seems to have adopted a position consistent with a good number of Americans, and especially Republican conservatives," said Rebovich. "Still, New Jersey is a gateway state, and I wonder if a really hard-line position would work against him."

John Ginty, Kean's conservative primary opponent, believes that immigration will be a big issue this year, especially with his fellow Republicans.

"This is the one subject that has got more Republicans upset with the Bush administration," says Ginty.

Ginty, who supports construction of a 700-mile fence across the U.S. border and opposes Kean's support of a guest worker provision, does applauds his fellow Republican for coming around on the issue of illegal immigration.

"I'm happy that (Kean), as a major candidate, has come around to a position that's against amnesty," Ginty said.

Still, the Bergen County data analyst is cautious not to pat his opponent on the back too much after criticizing him last week for supporting amnesty.

"Does Kean really believe what he's saying today?" inquired Ginty. "What other parts of his border security plan are subject to change?"

The Kean campaign has so far declined to debate Ginty on the issue, reiterating that his opponent in this race is Senator Menendez, not Ginty.

http://www.politicsnj.com/default0406.asp

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