Video Voter Guide Sets Record Straight on Amnesty

South Carolina Distribution Expected to Reach 50,000 Voters with TV Ad Campaign Extending to Florida, Other Primary States

CHESAPEAKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Grassfire.org Alliance today is launching its “Amnesty Voter Guide” -- a 30-second TV spot produced by Rapid Response Media with supporting resources that clarifies the positions of the Presidential candidates on the issue of amnesty for illegal aliens. The spot will reach an estimated 50,000 South Carolina voters prior to Saturday’s Primary as the first phase in a planned campaign rollout in Florida and other primary states.

“There has been much distortion on the issue of amnesty by the presidential candidates,” says Steve Elliott, President of Grassfire.org Alliance. “Voters need to know where each candidate stands on amnesty. Our voter guide and support resources clearly and succinctly set the record straight.”

The spot first defines amnesty and then places each presidential candidate in either the “opposes” or “supports” amnesty column. “We played this fair,” says Elliott. “We’ve carefully examined each candidate’s voting record, campaign positions and what they’ve said about amnesty. Frankly, we just put everything together in an easy to understand format—free of media spin. That’s what voter’s need heading to the primaries.”

Transcript, and broadcast-quality audio and video versions of the spots available at: http://www.audioacrobat.com/note/CJjFlqhs/

Note: The above link is for broadcast media only. The public may view the spot as http://www.AmnestyVoterGuide.com Grassfire media backgrounder: http://www.grassfire.org/media.asp

Romney: SEN. MCCAIN: "GIVE THEM NOT ONLY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS BUT… PROTECTIONS UNDER THE LAW"

Vote Allowed Illegals Who Were Granted Amnesty To Collect Benefits On Work They Did While In This Country Illegally

"The whole thrust of this legislation is to give them not only Social Security benefits but, as importantly, the protections under the law… That is why we are going through this process of letting them earn citizenship." – Sen. John McCain, 2006 (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 5/18/06, p. S4745)

To read Sen. McCain's support of retroactive Social Security after amnesty, see the Congressional Record here: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2006_record&page=S4745&position=all

In His Own Word, Sen. McCain Arguing For Social Security Benefits For Illegals:

Sen. McCain: "The Whole Thrust Of This Legislation Is To Give Them Not Only Social Security Benefits…"
SEN. MCCAIN: "Mr. President, very briefly, of course, they didn't expect to receive benefits they had to pay into the system because they were here illegally. The whole thrust of this legislation is to give them not only Social Security benefits but, as importantly, the protections under the law, as they now live in the shadows and are exploited and mistreated in many cases. Of course, they didn't expect to. That is why we are going through this process of letting them earn citizenship." (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 5/18/06, p. S4745)

Sen. McCain: Stated His "Strong Opposition To The Ensign Amendment."
SEN. MCCAIN: "Mr. President, I rise in strong opposition to the Ensign amendment. Under current law, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for Social Security benefits which I think is entirely appropriate. But we all know that millions of undocumented immigrants pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for years and sometimes decades while they work to contribute to our economy." (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 5/18/06, p. S4744)

Sen. McCain: Ensign Amendment Would "Undermine The Work" Of Illegal Workers.
SEN. MCCAIN: "The Ensign amendment would undermine the work of these people by preventing lawfully present immigrant workers from claiming Social Security benefits that they earned before they were authorized to work in our country." (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 5/18/06, p. S4744)

Sen. McCain: "If This Amendment Is Enacted, The Nest Egg That These Immigrants Have Worked Hard For Would Be Taken From Them And Their Families." (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 5/18/06, p. S4744)

Sen. McCain: "It Is Fundamentally Unfair" To Disqualify The Taxes Paid By Illegal Immigrants. SEN. MCCAIN: "It pains me to disagree with my good friend from Nevada on this matter, but I believe the amendment is wrong. It is fundamentally unfair to collect taxes from these workers and then disqualify the taxes paid once the workers achieve legal taxes." (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 5/18/06, p. S4744)

Sen. McCain: Immigrants "Should Be Able To Depend" On Social Security Benefits They Accrued While Working Illegally. SEN. MCCAIN: "I believe instead of supporting the amendment, we should stand for the principle that people who worked and paid into the Social Security system for years should be able to depend on their retirement income to which they contributed." (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 5/18/06, p. S4744)

Sen. McCain Argued That It Would Cost The Government More If They Did Not Give Social Security Benefits To Immigrants Who Worked Illegally. SEN. MCCAIN: "What about the fiscal consequences of the amendment? I submit that if Social Security is not available in the future for immigrants, that when they retire or become disabled, then State and local governments and potentially the Federal Government will be forced to absorb significant costs as the Federal Government has refused to provide services and supports paid for by tax dollars of millions of legal immigrants. This amendment would simply continue this trend." (Sen. John McCain, Congressional Record, 5/18/06, p. S4744)