Pullen for the Party

An open letter from several AZGOP officers

Dear Fellow Republicans,

We would like to state that anyone who wishes to quote from this letter is welcome to do so as long as you quote the whole letter. We are not interested in having “twisted snippets” from this letter.

First, let us say that Senator Jon Kyl has been a good and decent Senator for Arizona. Although we do not see eye to eye with the Senator on the immigration issue, Senator Kyl has been there for Arizona and the Republican Party time and time again. I know many share the concerns of the inflammatory rhetoric that has been targeted at Senator Kyl in recent days. We would ask that the discourse and debate remain civil and that we continue to debate the contents of the bill and not personally attack the man. With that being said, we believe that the record needs to be set straight.

On Saturday, May 19th, 2007, Senator Jon Kyl invited Republican Party leadership to meet with him in his office. In attendance were Chairman Randy Pullen, 1st Vice Chairman John Rutledge, 3rd Vice Chairman Parralee Schneider, Secretary Linda White, Sergeant at Arms Alberto Gutier, Assistant Treasurer Larry Pickard, Senate President Tim Bee, State Representative John McComish, and about six staff assistants.

Senator Kyl delivered a presentation on the status of the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007. He detailed to the group why he thought this was a good bill and why he was supporting the measure. We, as a group, responded that the overwhelming majority of phone calls, e-mails, faxes, and walk-ins from both Phoenix and Tucson were opposed to this legislation. Chairman Pullen explained to Senator Kyl that the Republican Party could not support the bill in its present form and that the Party would have to take a stand opposing the legislation. Senator Kyl understood the position Chairman Pullen was in.
No officer of the Arizona Republican Party at any point in time said a negative word about Senator Kyl. We understand that Senator Kyl has little choice and has little control of what is included in this bill, including not securing our borders and a blanket amnesty for all those in the U.S. as well as their extended families, which is the brainchild of liberal Ted Kennedy.

We oppose and deplore those who have used negative rhetoric and outright lies to attack Chairman Pullen and other members of the Republican Party while masquerading as Republican Party leadership. Their distortion of facts and lies about Chairman Pullen’s statements are a testament to immaturity and desperation by those who want nothing more than to see this Republican Party fail.

Chairman Pullen has performed admirable under intense conditions and is doing everything in his power to hold the Republican together under extremely difficult and divisive circumstances.

We hope that this letter has been able to clear up some of the misconceptions of the past two weeks and we look forward to a united Republican Party moving forward through 2008.


Sincerely,

John Rutledge - 1st Vice Chairman - Arizona Republican Party

Matt Tolman - 2nd Vice Chairman - Arizona Republican Party

Parralee Schneider - 3rd Vice Chairman - Arizona Republican Party

Linda White - Secretary - Arizona Republican Party

Timothy Lee - Treasurer - Arizona Republican Party

Larry Pickard - Asst.Treasurer - Arizona Republican Party

From Congressman John Shadegg

Shadegg Arizona Republic Op-Ed: Heated Emotions Won’t Solve Immigration Crisis

Washington, DC- Today, the following op-ed by Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) appeared in The Arizona Republic: Heated Emotions Won’t Solve Immigration Crisis

By Congressman John Shadegg

Immigration reform is a very divisive issue. Two years ago, as House Policy Chairman, I recognized that the same divide we see in the public existed among the Republican Members of Congress. To help bridge the divide, I held a series of Unity Dinners with members of the two most extreme camps and some in between.

Some argued that with America's declining birth rate, we need additional workers. Others asserted that trying to deport roughly 12 million illegals would be impractical, do significant damage to our economy and would be inhumane.

Critics made the valid point that we are a nation of laws and that rewarding illegal conduct would be unfair to those who have come legally and those still waiting in line. We had a heated debate on the significance of citizenship.

Opponents of the draft Senate bill at that time noted that it not only allowed people to become U.S. citizens without first demonstrating their loyalty to this country but involuntarily pushed them toward citizenship by compelling them to obtain a green card to keep their job. They pointed out that it would have forced illegals who had no desire to become Americans to nonetheless pursue citizenship. They saw such a policy as destroying the significance of being an American and changing our nation forever.

The recent personal attacks leveled at Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl are inappropriate and counterproductive. It is appropriate for any of us to express our views on the merits or flaws of any proposed legislation. However, personal attacks or challenges of individuals' honor or patriotism are unbecoming and out of place, especially on issues of such magnitude.

At the same time, the criticism by President Bush and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez of those who disagree with them are equally inappropriate and counterproductive and only serve to further divide the nation on this issue.

President Bush's comment that those who disagree with the bill “don't want to do what's right for America” was intemperate and offensive. He presumptuously asserted that anyone who does not support the bill hasn't read it. For those who may not read all 347 pages, let me address just three of the provisions I believe raise legitimate concerns.

First, while it requires that illegal aliens who want a probationary “Z-visa” undergo a background check, stunningly, it provides that if this background check is not completed within 24 hours, the illegal alien is to receive the visa regardless.

Second, the bill prohibits employers from using the newly created system to check whether or not a job applicant is legally in the country before offering the prospective employee a job. Rather, the employer may verify the potential employee's status only after the employee has been hired. Even more bizarre, the bill prohibits an employer from firing or taking any other action detrimental to an employee when the employer receives notice that the employee is not lawfully in the country if the employee files an appeal. Such an appeal could take months or years. Employers trying to do the right thing are in a Catch-22.

Third, the bill treats illegals dramatically better than lawful guest workers. Illegal aliens who come forward may remain in the country forever, while guest workers who enter lawfully may only stay for a total of six years and must leave twice during this period for a year each time. Then they may never enter the country again in this status. Illegal aliens who obtain “Z-visas” may chain migrate numerous family members; lawful guest workers cannot.

The bill will encourage anyone considering illegally entering the country to do so immediately to obtain these enhanced benefits. While the bill requires illegal aliens to prove that they were in the country before January 1, securing fraudulent documents or statements to support such a claim will be simple and will be enticing given the favorable status afforded to illegals.

I cannot support legislation with such troubling provisions left intact. At a minimum, Z-visa applicants should go through a thorough background check before getting any visa regardless of how long it takes; employers should be allowed to determine the eligibility of job applicants before hiring or spending money to train them; Z-visa holders should not be offered a new path to citizenship or enhanced benefits not offered to guest workers.

As a native Arizonan, I strongly support legislation that would include border security, interior enforcement, employer enforcement, and a lawful mechanism for those seeking employment as guest workers. Regrettably, I do not believe this bill and the extreme rhetoric it is inciting are leading toward a solution.

WSJ and Immigration

Daniel Henninger wrote a piece called "How About Amnesty for the Market?" in today's Wall Street Journal

Chairman Pullen responded to tha article via e-mail:

Dear Mr. Henninger,

I read your column in the Thursday WSJ and agreed with your conclusion that the new immigration bill is bad but for different reasons. As a Republican, I take umbrage at your trying to use a free-market argument against Republicans. Based on the latest statistics from the DOL, the unemployment rate for unskilled workers with no high school diploma is 7.2%, while the rate for those with a high school diploma or higher is 3.1%. We do not appear to have a shortage of unskilled uneducated workers. Add to this number the illegal aliens out of work and it makes a bad situation even worse for those in our country who are at the bottom rung of the economic ladder.

What is clear is we need more educated and skilled workers in the U.S. A guestworker program that increases the number of such workers would be good for the U.S. at all levels: social, economic and political. This is certainly a Republican free-market idea that is opposed by labor unions and Democrat party leaders. Unfortunately for us, Democrats in Congress are holding such free market ideas captive to their demands to legalize an underclass of unskilled and uneducated workers and their families.

I also watched the video on your editorial board meeting and agreed with much of what John Fund and Steve Moore were saying. Maybe it takes two bills or maybe three. One to commit to securing the border. The vast majority of Americans want this accomplished for a number of good reasons which are well known. A second bill to deal with the need for more skilled, educated guestworkers whether permanent or temporary and a third addressing how to deal with those who are illegally here. These bills do not have to be part of a grand compromise and would allow all Americans to see where their elected leaders are on these issues.

Sincerely,

Randy Pullen
Chaiman, Arizona Republican Party

CHAIRMAN PULLEN TO APPEAR ON HARDBALL WITH CHRIS MATTHEWS AND SPECIAL REPORT WITH BRIT HUME TODAY

Tune into MSNBC today at 2:00PM local time and catch Chairman Pullen talk about the Senate's immigration bill with Chris Matthews. The show repeats at 4:00PM and 12:00AM. Then check out Special Report with Brit Hume on Fox News at 3:00PM and see another segment with Chairman Pullen on immigration reform.

AZGOP GRASSROOTS ACTION ALERT

Dear Friends,

It appears that a grassroots movement to stop this legislation may be working. Yesterday, I expressed disappointment on behalf of the Arizona Republican Party at the Senate legislation addressing Comprehensive Immigration reform. Minutes ago, the U.S. Senate delayed further action until at least next month. What happened in the last 24 hours? Your calls, letters, emails and faxes! What seemed to be at first our potentially darkest moment has the potential to become one of our finest hours!

According to the latest press reports, there are now just 20 US Senators committed to supporting the immigration bill and there are nearing 40 US Senators “already opposed or having serious concerns” to the bill. If that 40 gets to 50, then the calls of our Republican Party faithful will have worked and you can take a bow because the people in Washington will have listened to our collective voices.

I have said since being honored to serve you as chairman that Arizona Republicans work hard and dream big. That has certainly been the case these past few days. Thousands of phone calls. Thousands of faxes. Thousands of emails. Our grassroots mobilized because they believed so strongly in something that they could not sit back and accept a bad solution. There can be no amnesty from the will of the American people, nor can there be amnesty for those who knowingly break the law.

Please, continue to call all Senators from across the country. For your convenience, I have supplied the numbers for all United States Senators at the bottom of this e-mail. I truly believe that your voices have made a difference these past several days, and will continue to be the difference as this debate moves forward.

In your service,

RANDY

U.S. SENATE CONTACT NUMBERS

First-Last-Party-Address-Telephone--FAX

AK Ted Stevens R 522 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3004; 202-224-2354

AK Lisa Murkowski R 709 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6665; 202-224-5301

AL Richard Shelby R 110 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5744; 202-224-3416

AL Jeff Sessions R 335 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4124; 202-224-3149

AR Blanche Lincoln D 355 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-4843; 202-228-1371

AR Mark Pryor D 257 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-2353; 202-228-0908

AZ John McCain R 241 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2235; 202-228-2862

AZ Jon Kyl R 730 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4521; 202-224-2207

CA Dianne Feinstein D 331 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3841; 202-228-3954

CA Barbara Boxer D 112 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3553; 415-956-6701

CO Wayne Allard R 521 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-5941; 202-224-6471

CO Ken Salazar R 702 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5852 ;202-228-5036

CT Christopher Dodd D 448 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2823 ;202-224-1083

CT Joseph Lieberman D 706 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4041; 202-224-9750

DE Joseph Biden D 201 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5042; 202-224-0139

DE Thomas Carper D 513 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2441; 202-228-2190

FL Bill Nelson D 716 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5274; 202-228-2183

FL Mel Martinez R 317 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3041; 202-228-5171

GA Saxby Chambliss R 416 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3521; 202-224-0103

GA Johnny Isakson R 120 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3643; 202-228-0724

HI Daniel Inouye D 722 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3934; 202-224-6747

HI Daniel Akaka D 141 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6361 ;202-224-2126

IA Chuck Grassley R 135 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3744 ;202-224-6020

IA Tom Harkin D 731 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3254 ;202-224-9369

ID Larry Craig R 520 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2752 ;202-228-1067

ID Mike Crapo R 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-6142; 202-228-1375

IL Richard Durbin D 332 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-2152; 202-228-0400

IL Barack Obama D 713 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2854 ;202-228-1372

IN Richard Lugar R 306 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4814; 202-228-0360

IN Evan Bayh D 463 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5623; 202-228-1377

KS Sam Brownback R 303 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6521; 202-228-1265

KS Pat Roberts R 109 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4774 ;202-224-3514

KY Mitch McConnell R 361A Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2541; 202-224-2499

KY Jim Bunning R 316 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4343 ;202-228-1373

LA Mary Landrieu D 724 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5824 ;202-224-9735

LA David Vitter R 516 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4623 ;202-228-5061

MA Edward Kennedy D 317 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4543; 202-224-2417

MA John Kerry D 304 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2742; 202-224-8525

MD Barbara Mikulski D 503 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4654 ;202-224-8858

MD Benjamin Cardin D B40B Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-4524 ;202-224-1651

ME Olympia Snowe R 154 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5344; 202-224-1946

ME Susan Collins R 461 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-2523; 202-224-2693

MI Carl Levin D 269 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-6221; 202-224-1388

MI Debbie Stabenow D 133 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4822 ;202-228-0325

MN Norm Coleman R 320 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5641; 202-224-1152

MN Amy Klobuchar D C4 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3244; 202-228-2186

MO Christopher Bond R 274 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5721; 02-224-8149

MO Claire McCaskill D 825A Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6154; 202-228-1518

MS Thad Cochran R 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-5054; 202-224-9450

MS Trent Lott R 487 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-6253; 202-224-2262

MT Max Baucus D 511 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2651; 202-224-0515

MT Jon Tester D B40E Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-2644; 202-228-6363

NC Elizabeth Dole R 555 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-6342; 202-224-1100

NC Richard Burr R 217 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3154;202-228-2981

ND Kent Conrad D 530 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2043 ;202-224-7776

ND Byron Dorgan D 322 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2551; 202-224-1193

NE Charles Hagel R 248 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4224 ;202-224-5213

NE Benjamine Nelson D 720 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6551; 202-228-0012

NH Judd Gregg R 393 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3324; 202-224-4952

NH John Sununu R 111 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2841 ;202-228-4131

NJ Frank Lautenberg D 324 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3224; 202-225-4054

NJ Robert Menendez D 502 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4744 ;202-228-2197

NM Pete Domenici R 328 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6621; 202-228-3261

NM Jeff Bingaman D 703 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5521; 202-224-2852

NV Harry Reid D 528 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3542 ;202-224-7327

NV John Ensign R 356 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-6244 ;202-228-2193

NY Charles Schumer D 313 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6542; 202-228-3027

NY Hillary Clinton D 476 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4451; 202-228-0282

OH George Voinovich R 524 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3353 ;202-228-1382

OH Sherrod Brown D C5 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2315;202-224-6519

OK Jim Inhofe R 453 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4721 ;202-228-0380

OK Tom Coburn R 172 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5754 ;202-224-6008

OR Ron Wyden D 230 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-5244; 202-228-2717

OR Gordon Smith R 404 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3753; 202-228-3997

PA Arlen Specter R 711 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4254 ;202-228-1229

PA Bob Casey D B40C Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-6324; 202-228-0604

RI Jack Reed D 728 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-4642; 202-224-4680

RI Sheldon Whitehouse D B40D Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-2921 ;202-228-6362

SC Lindsey Graham R 290 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5972; 202-224-3808

SC Jim DeMint R 340 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-6121 ;202-228-5143

SD Tim Johnson D 136 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5842 ;202-228-5765

SD John Thune R 383 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2321 ;202-228-5429

TN Lamar Alexander R 302 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-4944; 202-228-3398

TN Bob Corker R B40A Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-3344 ;202-228-1264

TX Kay Hutchison R 284 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5922 ;202-224-0776

TX John Cornyn R 517 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-2934 ;202-228-2856

UT Orrin Hatch R 104 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5251; 202-224-6331

UT Robert Bennett R 431 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-5444 ;202-228-1168

VA John Warner R 225 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2023; 202-224-6295

VA James Webb D C1 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4024; 202-224-5432

VT Patrick Leahy D 433 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-4242; 202-224-3479

VT Sanders Bernard I C2 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-5141; 202-228-0776

WA Patty Murray D 173 Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-2621; 202-224-0238

WA Maria Cantwell D 717 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3441; 202-228-0514

WI Herb Kohl D 330 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5653;202-224-9787

WI Russell Feingold D 506 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-5323 ;202-224-2725

WV Robert Byrd D 311 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-3954 ;202-228-0002

WV John Rockefeller D 531 Hart Senate Office Building 202-224-6472 ;202-224-7665

WY Craig Thomas R 307 Dirksen Senate Office Building 202-224-6441 ;202-224-1724

WY Mike Enzi R 379A Russell Senate Office Building 202-224-3424;202-228-0359