Cornyn and Alameel spar over immigration, marriage, abortion in Senate debate

[TexasTowelie]

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Cornyn portrayed himself Friday night as an agent of change in Washington, as rival David Alameel blasted him for blocking immigration reforms while kowtowing to Wall Street.

This was the first and only debate of the contest, as Cornyn seeks a third term and Alameel claws for traction.

With Univision as the debate host, a hefty chunk of the questioning was aimed at immigration policy – an area of especially clear disagreement.

Cornyn, who has long resisted legalization for the 11 million people in the country illegally, called himself a “strong supporter of immigration reform.” He agreed that young people brought to the country illegally by their parents – the so-called “Dreamers” – should be eligible for college aid.

Read more: http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/10/cornyn-and-alameel-spar-over-immigration-marriage-abortion-in-senate-debate.html/

[font color=green]Did anybody watch?[/font]

[northoftheborder]

1. No, I would have watched had I known it was on. I've never heard Alameel speak, even.

I voted for him, have aversion for Cornyn.

[DhhD]

2. Adding Cornyn's voting record by Vote Smart. Will Cornyn keep his campaign promises?

http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/15375/john-cornyn#.VEvXoWdARxA


http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/305533-cornyn-emerges-as-key-to-unlocking-70-plus-votes-for-immigration-reform

Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), the lead Democratic sponsor of the immigration bill, spoke out against Cornyn’s amendment on the Senate floor.

Schumer argued that Cornyn’s goals for border security are not specific enough.

“We certainly can improve the border, but we cannot improve the border and put in place triggers that are not specific and achievable,” Schumer said. “You can measure whether there are 20 drones at the border. Your can measure whether we have X miles of fence. But if you say then that [effectiveness] has to be at this certain rate every year, you’re taking away the path to citizenship.”

Republicans interpreted Schumer’s comments more as an effort to gain leverage in private talks than an outright dismissal of Cornyn’s proposal.

“I think they were trying to discourage my amendment, but this is not about me, it’s about getting a workable solution and not just making promises that won’t be kept,” Cornyn said. “That’s important to the ultimate success of any immigration reform legislation and the number of people who are likely to support it.”

more in the share web page.

[PDittie]

3. It was broadcast in Spanish only

C-SPAN is scheduled to broadcast it on Wednesday, either with Spanish translation muted or with English subtitles, as I understand.