Michael Dukakis mindlessly spouts massive immigration talking points (Michael Bendetson)

Remember Michael Dukakis? You know, former Massachusetts governor? The tank photo you see to the right? Ran for president in 1988? In case no one still remembers, raid a game of Trivial Pursuit, he's probably in there somewhere.

Anyway, university student Michael Bendetson [1] has scored an interview with him and printed it at the Huffington Post [2]. And, this momentous event allows us to introduce the first episode of "Spot the Mindless Recitation of Massive Immigration Talking Points". How many can you spot in the following reply Dukakis gave to a question about immigration?

"I understand anti-immigrant sentiment. We have always had it. Very often, the last generation of immigrants is the one objecting to new immigration. I think if we are going to limit immigration in the United States, current laws need to be enforced. I am not mad at people that are anti-immigration, but I do keep reminding people that the vast majority of people in this country came here as immigrants. We are experiencing a new wave of immigration, mostly from south of the boarder. The reasons are obvious to anyone; economic need is economic need. People come to this country to seek the same opportunities that my Greek parents sought. The current situation is not acceptable. We are not sending 12 million people back. The question is how do we fashion an acceptable alternative. I am not proponent of amnesty, but I would support some type of earned citizenship. However, the key is enforcing the laws that are already on the book."

Among possibly others, I spot:

* immigration debate tone
* immigration tradition fallacy
* strawman: the debate isn't really about immigration as a concept it's one of levels and the like; "anti-immigration" is not the correct term
* enforce the laws, but...
* the system is broken
* false choice offered between mass deportations (over whatever time frame) and amnesty, thus a failure to acknowledge attrition
* failure to note that comprehensive immigration reform will be an amnesty for various reasons but mostly because that's how it will be perceived by potential illegal aliens
* enforce the laws, but... (repeat performance)

[1] "currently attends Tufts University and writes for both the Tufts Daily and huffingtonpost.com. His works have appeared on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann, cbsnews.com, and politico.com. He is known for his fair and unbiased interviews with such notable political figures as Joe The Plumber, Barney Frank, Bob Dole, and Ron Paul".

[2] huffingtonpost.com/michael-n-bendetson/my-interview-with-michael_b_207011.html

Sun, 05/24/2009 - 11:23 · · Importance: 4