Gov. O'Malley defends criticism of WH plan to return refugee children - Questions motive of WH leak

[bigtree]

Last edited Thu Jul 17, 2014, 12:53 PM - Edit history (1)

(CNN) - Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley defended his criticism of Obama administration plans to return thousands of undocumented children to Central America, even after his remarks sparked a heated discussion with a senior White House official.

In an interview with CNN, O'Malley acknowledged that he asked White House domestic policy adviser Cecilia Munoz that the immigrants not be sent to a site in western Maryland that was under consideration.



"What I said was that would not be the most inviting site in Maryland. There are already hundreds of kids already located throughout Maryland," O'Malley said of his phone conversation with Munoz.

Munoz called O'Malley to complain about comments he made to reporters only hours earlier about White House plans, sources with knowledge of the call said.

O'Malley suggested the White House leaked word of his phone call with Munoz in retaliation for his remarks.

"Whatever the motivation was of the people at the White House that leaked it to you, I'll leave you to determine," O'Malley said.


read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/16/in-interview-with-cnn-omalley-defends-call-with-white-house-on-immigrant-kids/

related:

"Governor O'Malley and his administration are working cooperatively with federal officials to find suitable locations in Maryland for unaccompanied minors fleeing violence in Central America," said O'Malley spokeswoman Nina Smith.

"As he has said repeatedly, he believes the priority should be placing children with family members and –if that's not possible - locating housing that is safe, humane, and non-restrictive," she added.
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/cnn-smears-gov-martin-omalley-says-he


Retweeted by Washington Post
Jenna Johnson @wpjenna · 2h
O’Malley says he had many convos with WH official “but this is the one that she chose to leak.” http://wapo.st/1kz2Dkx

During his two terms as governor, Maryland lawmakers approved a state-level “Dream Act” that provides instate college tuition rates to some undocumented immigrants. The state also extended the ability to obtain driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants — or, as O’Malley calls them, “new Americans.”

And in April, the governor announced that a state-run jail in Baltimore would no longer automatically follow federal government orders to hold immigrants for possible deportation, an act of defiance that did not garner nearly as much attention.

details were leaked to the media about a request from O’Malley during the conversation that children not be sheltered at the former Army Reserve Center in Westminster, a city of about 18,600 that’s about 35 miles northwest of Baltimore in Carroll County.

The request, first reported by CNN, was cast by a “Democratic source” as evidence of O’Malley’s hypocrisy: The governor did not want the children returned to their home countries, but he resisted sheltering them in his own state.

O’Malley aides were incensed, feeling that the governor’s comments were misconstrued. They said that O’Malley has been working closely with the White House for weeks to find safe accommodations in Maryland. On Monday, state officials began to process paperwork to secure more foster-care providers for the children.

“We’ve had many conversations,” O’Malley said of Muñoz on Wednesday, “but this is the one that she chose to leak.”


Meanwhile, the state's leading immigration advocate group, CASA de Maryland, supported O'Malley's decision to question the Carroll County site.

"When we heard about the proposed Westminster site, our immediate thought was that the only place in Maryland less hospitable to children fleeing violence in Central America would be inside the Frederick County Sheriff's Department building," said Kimberly Propeack, an attorney with the group.

"We think he is right to question why the administration would propose the most anti-immigrant locations rather than the many other parts of the state where children will be sheltered and loved," she said.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Someone leaked this specifically to hurt O'Malley and his chances for a run.

Hmmm...someone needs to see if Clintonista tentacles are involved here...

[bigtree]

2. probably just institutionally reactive aides defending policy, rather than a campaign 2 yrs away

Alexis Simendinger ‏@ASimendinger 37m

Gov. O'Malley asserts to WPost that Obama Domestic Policy Advisor Cecilia Munoz leaked their private immigration convo to select media.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Possible, but I hope the WH didn't advise her to leak this to paint O'Malley as

a hypocrite. I hope she did it on her own, and maybe she needs her leakin' ass fired.

[geek tragedy]

7. The problem was that O'Malley was undermining their efforts to resolve

the problem in private while blasting them for not doing more in public.

Sunlight is always a good thing, no?

[bigtree]

9. bullshit. That's just not true. The ONE site he objected to was run down and UNSUITABLE

. . . to house children. The ONE site that was discussed in the phone call was not fit to house children and the governor told the White House just that. For that refusal he was painted as NIMBY. The evidence clearly shows that's not true. THAT"S why he made the public complaint about the leak.

Someone at the WH, like you did, shot their mouths off without telling the full and true story.

"The Maryland governor said his state was willing to accept refugees and that state officials had begun the process to search for more foster care providers to take care of the children."

Not only that, HUNDREDS of children have already been received and are being sheltered in MY state.

You don't know what the fuck you're talking about.

[geek tragedy]

10. and the fact that western maryland is conservative and that

there would be protests was not part of his calculation?

let's not be naive here

[bigtree]

13. were the children in any danger there? I believe so. Did that concern him? I hope so.

. . . notwithstanding that concern, the site was UNSUITABLE.

Don't be dense. maybe you would house children there, but, thankfully, YOU aren't in a position to decide that.

"The building at 404 Malcolm Drive, near MD Route 140, was scrapped because it would "not be appropriate" as a shelter for unaccompanied immigrant children since it had been vacant for an extended period of time and was in poor condition, Fox 45 (local) reported."

[KamaAina]

25. Fox 45 is the flagship station of uber-right-wing Sinclair

and they're not even biting on this one.

[bigtree]

30. yep, good point

. . . our governor has been sticking his neck out in defense of immigrants and refugees and taking heat for that unwavering stance since the administration that preceded him. He has quite a few victories to show for that effort; even in the face of withering opposition from republicans (and righty media) here in my state.

the record:

In a debate during the 2010 campaign, O'Malley referred to undocumented immigrants as "new Americans", as he endorsed tougher enforcement against illegal immigration by the federal government. In May 2011, O'Malley signed a law that would make the children of undocumented immigrants eligible for in-state college tuition under certain conditions. The law provides that undocumented immigrants can be eligible for in-state tuition if students have attended a high school in Maryland for three years and if they or their parents have paid state income taxes during that time. In response, Delegate Neil Parrott created an online petition to suspend the law pending a referendum vote that would be held during the 2012 general election. On November 6, 2012, a majority of state voters passed referendum Question 4 by 58%

We were the FIRST state to pass the DREAM Act.

In addition he has passed allowed the issuing of driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants who pay their taxes, and his recent statement to the Department of Homeland Security that he would not be compliant with a federal program targeting undocumented immigrants for deportation (will NOT cooperate on federal deportation efforts).

[Louisiana1976]

33. That building looks terrible--I wouldn't use it to house my cat, let alone a bunch of

refugee children. Gov. O'Malley is right in deciding not to use this site.

[sabrina 1]

19. So why did the WH try to undermine HIS efforts by leaking a phone

conversation? Can they not pick up the phone and call a Democratic Gov. to discuss what is best for those children. If it was to try to make him look bad, it backfired. I knew nothing much about him, now I know a little and like what I'm learning so far.

[bigtree]

23. and it wasn't just an innocuous leak. Up to three news outlets were reportedly solicited.

. . . all, I would suppose, in a cynical defense of their policy.

[Aerows]

28. Because O'Malley isn't a third way candidate.

That's why they push Hillary, because she IS a third way.

Now you know how the garden grows.

[sabrina 1]

40. Sad, isn't it, that people cannot just win on their merits, that there have to be all

these dirty tricks played on decent people in order for them to win. Imo, all this should be very illegal.

[bigtree]

4. "I'm firmly with @Governor O'Malley on this one"

Last edited Wed Jul 16, 2014, 05:36 PM - Edit history (1)

Lis Smith ‏@Lis_Smith 43m

"I'm firmly with @GovernorOMalley on this one" http://www.shakesville.com/2014/07/quote-of-day_16.html?m=1 … #BorderChildren

[bigtree]

5. WH, O'Malley mending fences on border crisis?

from The Hill:


O'Malley has made it clear he believes the White House was responsible for leaking details of the call. And on Wednesday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest wouldn't say if the administration had leaked the call to suggest the Maryland governor was a hypocrite.

"You guys are the ones who are doing the reporting here, so I'd encourage you to check with your sources," Earnest said.

The Maryland governor said his state was willing to accept refugees and that state officials had begun the process to search for more foster care providers to take care of the children.

“I will continue to work to alleviate the humanitarian crisis,” O’Malley said. “And I think every governor and every mayor in America, and every American citizen, has some responsibility and role to play here. It’s who we are as a people.”

At the White House, Earnest offered an olive branch, saying administration officials "strongly value the working relationship that we have with Gov. O'Malley."

"We're pleased with that relationship, and that relationship is as strong as ever," Earnest said, adding that the White House welcomed "cooperation" on efforts "to try to find a suitable facility that could be used to meet the basic humanitarian needs of those who had been apprehended."

[Aerows]

29. He's not third way Hillary

That's exactly why she will not be President.

[geek tragedy]

6. Not sure why O'Malley thought he had a license to whack the WH

in public and then turn around and pull this NIMBY bullshit in private to hurt WH efforts to do what he's demanding they do in public.

So, yes, he is a giant hypocrite on the issue, and if he's going to show his ass in private, he should expect that it will get exposed in public.

[bigtree]

8. get it right. The site he turned down was UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN

There are already hundreds of refugee children already located throughout Maryland . . . The Maryland governor said his state was willing to accept refugees and that state officials had begun the process to search for more foster care providers to take care of the children.

Do some research before you pop off on my governor.

[Xyzse]

11. Thanks, I'm with O'Malley on this one

He's right, those areas are not suitable.

He is my governor as well.

[SomethingFishy]

12. You should read this:

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/cnn-smears-gov-martin-omalley-says-he

Thousands of young undocumented migrants back to Central America, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley asked a top White House official that the children not be sent to a site that was under consideration in his home state, sources familiar with the conversation said.
"He privately said 'please don't send these kids to Western Maryland,'" a Democratic source told CNN. The heated discussion between O'Malley and White House domestic policy adviser Cecilia Munoz occurred during a phone call late Friday evening, sources familiar with the conversation added.

O'Malley doesn't deny he had a conversation, nor does he deny asking that they not be sent to one location in Maryland. But they might have worked a little harder to discover why he said that.

Start with this paragraph buried deep beneath the misleading lede:

"Governor O’Malley and his administration are working cooperatively with federal officials to find suitable locations in Maryland for unaccompanied minors fleeing violence in Central America," said O'Malley press secretary Nina Smith. "As he has said repeatedly, he believes the priority should be placing children with family members and–if that’s not possible–locating housing that is safe, humane, and non-restrictive," she added....

There is more at the link...

[geek tragedy]

14. he doesn't deny asking the WH to avoid sending the kids

to the conservative part of the state, where political protests from the local yokels would have been a big political embarrassment to him.

[bigtree]

15. the ONLY thing he objected to in that WH phone call was the ONE unacceptable, decrepit site

. . . stop spreading bullshit.

[geek tragedy]

16. both sides are spinning, unless you're suggesting O'Malley

isn't a politician

[bigtree]

17. O'Malley's not 'spinning', you are

. . .and it's goddamn disgusting.

What part of Maryland already housing over a hundred children already and looking for more acceptable sites don't you (or the WH understand)?

The only one playing politics here is you.

[geek tragedy]

18. oy, 2016 is gonna be fun nt

[Aerows]

31. You'd better not try to annoint Hillary

if you want an honest race. We have a plethora of honest, sound Democratic candidates. Hillary lost in 2008, and she will lose in 2016 for the same reason.

[geek tragedy]

34. I'm not gonna annoint anyone. No one really cares what

I think anyways.

[Aerows]

36. Nor me, but Hillary Clinton

should not automatically be anointed the "Candidate"

[SomethingFishy]

20. Wow, you really have this all wrong, and no matter what happens

you will stick to your point. I admire your tenacity.

I certainly hear more compassion for these REFUGEES from O'Malley than I do the White House, but obviously it's all just a political maneuver to make the WH look bad.... or something...

[randys1]

32. You are probably right, this whole thing is disgusting.

That the WH or any one NOT a rightwing racist ass, which we expect it from, is discussing sending these kids back, that alone is infuriating.

[geek tragedy]

35. The White House has the additional burden of having actual consequences

attached to its decisions and its statements.

Yes, the safety and health of the children already here is a paramount concern, but at the same time you don't want to encourage even more to head on up, since that would lead to a humanitarian disaster dwarfing the current problem.

[sabrina 1]

22. You're not reading what is being provided for you. And just why does an elected

official need a 'license' to voice their concerns about something as important as this? Seems the WH realizes now that this was a stupid thing to do and are reaching out to him before the fire they started grows out of control. Whoever did it should be fired as it embarrassed the President.

[octoberlib]

21. There was also a healthy dose of shit -stirring being done by Politico.

I was on Twitter when the story broke and Politico tweeted something like 'O'Malley tells WH to let children in but doesn't want them in MD. ' I went back and looked for the original tweet just now but they edited it. I also heard Ronan Farrow mischaracterize the whole situation and what was said on MSNBC today. It drives me crazy.

[bigtree]

24. CNN, as well

CNN Smears Gov. Martin O'Malley, Says He Turned Away Immigrant Children

CNN worked overtime to get anonymous quotes claiming Gov. O'Malley was refusing Central American refugees instead of getting facts.

read: http://crooksandliars.com/2014/07/cnn-smears-gov-martin-omalley-says-he

[Aerows]

27. He isn't third way

and that makes some folk frightened.

[Aerows]

26. I defend Gov. O'Malley

He isn't third way, and while that might piss some off, I stand behind him.

[conservaphobe]

37. Maybe next time he'll learn to be a team player.

And if not, at least learn not to undercut himself by being a hypocrite.

Munoz did the right thing.

[bigtree]

38. Munoz was WRONG and is trying to smooth things over

. . .did you even read ANY of the information provided on this thread?

O'Malley has said several times that the shelter for these children has to be appropriate and safe. The ONLY site he objected to in that phone call was the decrepit Wesminster armory.

So quick to call him a hypocrite, but I'd fight ANYONE who intended to house these children in this rundown hole:



That was the ONLY site discussed in the phone call and the ONLY one rejected in that call. Munoz knows this, and, as I took pains to provide the correct story in the op, she and the administration are backtracking.

Did you miss this on this thread (posted several times)?

"Governor O'Malley and his administration are working cooperatively with federal officials to find suitable locations in Maryland for unaccompanied minors fleeing violence in Central America," said O'Malley spokeswoman Nina Smith.

"As he has said repeatedly, he believes the priority should be placing children with family members and –if that's not possible - locating housing that is safe, humane, and non-restrictive," she added. .

Did you miss this on this thread (posted several times)?

"What I said was that would not be the most inviting site in Maryland. There are already hundreds of kids already located throughout Maryland," O'Malley said of his phone conversation with Munoz.

Hundreds, already received and sheltered.

Governor O’Malley and his administration are working cooperatively with federal officials to find suitable locations in Maryland . . .

One thing you might not know about my governor is that he's been a consistent and longtime champion, not just a supporter, of immigrant families and individuals in my state. Gov. O'Malley championed and signed the first DREAM Act in the COUNTRY into law over the objections of a withering republican campaign.

In addition he has passed a law allowed the issuing of driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants who pay their taxes.

Couple that important support with his recent statement to the Department of Homeland Security that he would not be compliant with a federal program targeting undocumented immigrants for deportation (will NOT cooperate on federal deportation efforts), and it makes an absolute lie out of charges of hypocrisy.

Next time, take the time to read and understand the issue before popping off on my governor with right-wing promoted bullshit..

[bigtree]

39. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the 'team player' statement.

. . .That's the standard you expect from legislators and others with regard to their responsibility?? Be a team player??

Unfuckingbelievable.