Arizona Senate President Russell Pierce, leader of anti-illegal alien measures in Arizona, loses recall vote

John Hagan writes:

This is terrible news for the immigration control movement. Russell Pearce was the hand behind almost all of the immigration legislation coming out of Arizona. Until today I did not even know that he was facing a recall challenge

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Paul M. writes:

It seems to me that Pierce’s recall is not so surprising, given that he ran against another Republican in an election where Democrats and independents were also voting.

It would be as if President Obama faced a national recall and was opposed by a slightly more conservative Democrat. He’d surely lose in such a match-up. But such a defeat wouldn’t mean that America had suddenly repudiated liberalism.

Gintas writes:

Pierce is a Mormon, and lost to a Mormon. I wonder if the official Mormon position on immigration (“We welcome our new non-white overlords!”) had anything to do with it. Here is the Utah Compact declaration on immigration reform—100 percent pro-open-borders:

A declaration of five principles to guide Utah’s immigration discussion

FEDERAL SOLUTIONS: Immigration is a federal policy issue between the U.S. government and other countries—not Utah and other countries. We urge Utah’s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to strengthen federal laws and protect our national borders. We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing immigrants in Utah.

LAW ENFORCEMENT: We respect the rule of law and support law enforcement’s professional judgment and discretion. Local law enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code.

FAMILIES: Strong families are the foundation of successful communities. We oppose policies that unnecessarily separate families. We champion policies that support families and improve the health, education and well-being of all Utah children.

ECONOMY: Utah is best served by a free-market philosophy that maximizes individual freedom and opportunity. We acknowledge the economic role immigrants play as workers and taxpayers. Utah’s immigration policies must reaffirm our global reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly state.

A FREE SOCIETY: Immigrants are integrated into communities across Utah. We must adopt a humane approach to this reality, reflecting our unique culture, history and spirit of inclusion. The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors. Utah should always be a place that welcomes people of goodwill.

It’s endorsed by the LDS Leadership.

I’m sure Mitt Romney noticed.

LA replies:

The declaration repeatedly refers to illegal aliens as “immigrants.” That’s a mark of how decadent and leftist the supposedly upright Mormons have become.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at November 09, 2011 11:59 AM | Send