Bustamente talking to Univision (MS Word document) (translated Spanish by Univision), links via Weintraub:
"I could win solely with the votes of the immigrant communities. If every person in the immigrant communities went out and voted, I could succeed just with their votes. That won't be the case. But I think it's important for them to know that they have the power. In our political system, in a democratic system, the power is in the vote. If they don't want to make themselves heard, then they don't have to vote. But if they want to say that it's important to have someone in a position of power who has experience as an immigrant, who has an understanding of our lives, someone who can improve the life of our community, it's important that they get out of the house and vote."
Surely he means legal immigrants who have attained US citizenship. Surely he does. But wait, then he says this:
"They don't want driver's licenses for immigrants."
Which means that his use of the term "immigrant" is very, very broad. Is Bustamente calling for illegal and legal non-citizen immigrants to go vote? Isn't there a law against that?
California Elections Code 2111. A person may prove he or she is a citizen by his or her certification under penalty of perjury on the affidavit of registration.
2112. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the fact that a person certifies to his or her United States citizenship by signing his or her affidavit of registration shall be deemed evidence of citizenship for voting purposes only.
Seems that it's perjury to vote as a non-citizen. So Bustamente is encouraging people to commit felonies. Not really something an immigrant wants to do, I'd think. And not something a state official should encourage.
Isn't there a law against this?
> But if they want to say that it's important to have someone in a position of power who has experience as an immigrant, who has an understanding of our lives, someone who can improve the life of our community, it's important that they get out of the house and vote.
Will somebody tell Cruz Bustamante that he's NOT an IMMIGRANT? (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=immigrant)
He was born in California, and is a "native born" citizen.
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruz_Bustamante
Arnold is, as I also am, an immigrant. He came from another country to achive the American Dream, which he did.
Why doesn't somebody stand up to Bustamante in a press conference and question him about this little fact?
Posted by: Augusto at September 30, 2003 10:57 PMWhy not ask him that in press conferences? Easy. Bustamante is virtually in hiding. Good luck trying to get him in front of a gaggle of reporters.
Posted by: Armed Prophet at October 1, 2003 02:24 AMAugusto is right. Cruz is asking people to vote for Arnold.
Posted by: Mike at October 1, 2003 11:49 AM