Clinton: I Will Not Target Sanctuary Cities
Hillary Clinton speaks to voters in Brownsburg, Ind., Thursday, a day after sitting down with FOX News' Bill O'Reilly to discuss her foreign and domestic policy plans. (AP Photo)
Hillary Clinton, in the second half of her first-ever interview with FOX News’ Bill O’Reilly, said that if elected president she would not crack down on so-called illegal immigrant “sanctuary cities.”
Clinton outlined several points of her foreign policy platform in the final segment of the interview, which aired Thursday. She declared there’s nothing left to achieve in Iraq and issued a stern warning about the threats Iran poses to that region once U.S. troops withdraw.
Asked about the controversial topic of sanctuary cities — cities that encourage a hands-off approach to local enforcement of federal immigration policy — Clinton swiftly responded, “No I’m not (going to target them). I’m not.”
She said she wants illegal immigrants to feel safe reporting crimes and that “sometimes you have two competing values.”
But she said federal immigration policy is “broken” and needs reform.
“I’m 100 percent in favor of tightening our borders, of enforcing the laws against employers, of going after the kind of abuses that we see in the job market, of making it clear that we have got to figure out what we’re going to do with people,” she said.
Clinton joined O’Reilly in South Bend, Ind., on Wednesday for her first appearance in the “The O’Reilly Factor,” putting the squeeze on rival Barack Obama (who went on FOX News Sunday for the first time over the weekend) and other Democrats to do the same.
Clinton campaign aides said her appearance on the show was designed to reach out to working-class, independent white men who could decide the outcome of next week’s Indiana primary.
A day after tackling the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy, Clinton moved on to discuss the Iraq war and Middle Eastern policies, saying there’s no military solution in Iraq and that U.S. troops have already fulfilled their mission.
“First of all, I believe that our military has fulfilled all their military missions,” Clinton said, as her campaign also criticized President Bush for Iraq policies on the fifth anniversary of the “Mission Accomplished” banner. “There’s no doubt in my mind. They got rid of Saddam Hussein, which they were asked to do. They gave the Iraqis free and fair elections. They gave the Iraqi government the space and time to make the decisions that only the Iraqis can make for themselves.
“There is no military solution to what we face in Iraq, which is unprecedented. It is dangerous, it is unstable,” she said.
Clinton also charged Iran with fueling the bloodshed in Iraq.
“I think it’s somewhat open to debate as to whether Iran really wants to see us withdraw, and here’s why. They have been an equal opportunity supporter of the militias, of the insurgents, of anybody who would pick up arms against the United States,” she said.
But she took a decidedly softer tone after telling ABC that she would “attack Iran” and “we would be able to totally obliterate them” if the country attacked Israel with nuclear weapons.
“If Iran were to ever obtain a nuclear weapon, that would be unbelievably bad for us and the world. And I’m going to do everything I can to prevent that from ever happening,” she told FOX News, leaving it at that.
Iran strongly condemned Clinton late Wednesday for her previous statements. Its deputy United Nations ambassador said the remarks were “provocative, unwarranted and irresponsible.”
Clinton said as president she would withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, and emphasize “the political and the diplomatic.”
“There will be a lot of conflict between the Iranians and the Iraqis moving forward if the United States is on the sidelines, instead of in the middle.”
Both Democratic candidates were campaigning hard Thursday in Indiana, which votes alongside North Carolina May 6.
Clinton is still trailing in delegates, but hoping to close part of the gap on Tuesday. However, as Obama grapples with the Wright controversy, her campaign got a jolt when a longtime superdelegate supporter defected to Obama.
“A vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote to continue” a long, self-destructive Democratic campaign, former national party Chairman Joe Andrew wrote in a letter designed to have an impact on the turbulent race nationally as well as in his home state of Indiana.
He urged Democrats to “reject the old negative politics” and unify behind Obama.
FOX News’ Aaron Bruns and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
What I don’t understand is how she claims the immigration laws are “broken”. In what way? When someone desire’s to be a part of this once-great nation, their admitted under a certain status and after a certain amount of time, granted citizenship. How is that broken? Should we allow mass immigration without knowing who is crossing our border’s? Has anyone else noticed a cerain “wishy-washy” way about this woman? Her vastly exaggerated stories, and sometimes right out lies… Is this supposed to be my Commander-in-Chief? Despite the urging from many in the Democratic party, she continues to stay in despite the damage she’s doing. How does this display good leadership?
For everyone in here bashing President Bush let me remind you of one thing. Its a democratic Senate and Congress. As President, he is taking the fall for all the democratic BS of not being partisan on the issues he would like to pass. Think about that before you vote for a democrat. Hillary did well in her interview but her answers cause a lot of concern. McCain is the best person to lead this country.
The job of Congress is to create the laws. One of the jobs of the president is to enforce the laws. If you did not enter this country by legal means you are in fact breaking the law. For Clinton to claim that she would not traget sanctuary cities is the same as a cop saying he is not going to arrest someone for committing a crime. If she doesn’t like or agree with the law then she should try and get it changed but if (god forbid) she becomes president then she should enforce the law and not turn a blind liberal eye to them.
The continuation of the Democratic primary is not tearing the party apart. Instead, it’s giving ALL people the chance to voice their preference which is what America is all about.
Hillary has the experience, is very intellient and capable to lead this country out of the mess the republications have got us in.
And why do the Superdelegates get to just pick who they vote for? They should vote according the people’s choice.
I liked her perspective on achieving what we set out to do on the war.
Iran is a problem and im glad to know she sees that real threat.
a superdelegate voting for obama just to get a winner shows why there should not be any superdelegates. We are voting for the president of the united states not some kids thing in school.
I wish she would target sanctuary cities those who break the law should be held accountable period, lack therof has ruined this nation to the point its at now.
FOX News is selective in what they post here. They are not fair and balanced here like they are in news reporting.
Hillary convinced me also….to vote for McCain… Sanctuary cities are wrong, dead wrong.. They must be dealt with and illegal immigrants need to be dealt with swiftly.
How come it was ok for hillary & bill clinton to invite jerimiah wright to the white house during their marital issues for spiritual guidance? Where is that press on that !
Same old Hillary - same closet Liberal.
I thought Hillary did a super job! She convinced me to vote for her. After the Rev Wright mess and all the unanswered questions swirling around Obama there is no way I can now vote for him. He had played alot of people for fools…including the national media. Wake up people…