Clinton: I Will Not Target Sanctuary Cities

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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.

130 Responses to “Clinton: I Will Not Target Sanctuary Cities”

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Comment by fumiste

Excellent interview, really showed why Clinton is skyrocketing in the polls. She is on message, addressing the issues, and boy does she know them well. She has charisma, poise, and a sense of humor. I appreciate FoxNews and O’Reilly for giving Clinton a fair shot at this (despite Bill’s sharp questioning and cutting in, signatory for him, which didn’t seem to bother Clinton). Certainly a change from the Mainstream Media which for the most part are still fawning over Obama, downplaying his toxic judgement and baggage, and acting like the campaign is over even if Obama loses by 10 pts. or gains another disgruntled BillClinton-era superdelegate.

 
Comment by Brad

The only thing broken about our immigration policy is the will to enforce it. Close the border, stop all Federal payments to sanctuary cities, and punish employers who hire illegals. That’s all. What’s so complicated about that? We can deport those here illegally, or better yet, simply cut off their ability to earn a living here and they’ll deport themselves. Then amend the Constitution so that US citizenship is granted only to those born of parents who are here LEGALLY to put a stop to this “anchor baby” problem and that pretty much covers it.

 
Comment by Randy

If Bill gets down on all four’s he can get some really great interviews….As long as he does not ask the hard questions that is…..all about ratings right….

 
Comment by William Burke, SSG, US Army, Retired

The interview just enforced my belief that we have 3 choices and they are all Democrats. I will vote for John McCain because he is a moderate compared to the others. How did Republicans let this happen? Was there not one Conservative out there?
It is the President’s job to ensure this country is safe. How can anyone believe it is okay for leaders to encourage illegal activity?

 
Comment by Lance

The Rev. Wright issue and the Black Church response to this issues continues to be tagged as a race issue.

I don’t see that at all. It’s pure and simple America Bashing by Rev Wright, some Black Churches and even Mrs. Obama.

You have the right to bash, but I find these rants hateful and I will fight those who do so…color/race is not an issue to me.

 
Comment by melvin steele

Both of the Democrat’s are loser’s, John McCain is the only candicate who does not speak with a forked tongue.

 
Comment by Martin Miller

OK…I have tried to leave this long message for some time, and billoreilly.com and his foxnews.com equivalent wont let me post my messages. P.S. if you love Donald Rumsfeld, you will love Hillary Clinton. Call me crazy, but the Democratic strong point is the opposition towards the overzealousness of the Bush administration. Plus I used to live in the U.A.E. who are building the World’s tallest building on behalf of their minority Pakistani, Indian, and Indonesian pseudo slaves… So I ask you Hillary: How can you possibly defend these countries? Plus I grew up in the same country as Barack (Jakarta, Indonesia), and there are some things that you learn from that you will never understand. Aku Suka Barack!!!

 
Comment by L Hoke

Bill OReilly’s interview with Hillary was very intertaining and will go down as one of Bill’s best.
Hillary showed that she is smart, and a tough cookie, but her imigration stance and Irag withdrawal plans will cause her to loose the presidential race, if she beats Obama, which is looking more favorable each day!!

 
Comment by Steven

I’m reconsidering my choice after watching this interview. I tuned in to watch her falter, but she impressed this voter. I’m not with her on every issue, but I like her tenacity, intelligence and decisiveness.

I’m looking forward to McCain and hopefully Obama on O’Reilly.

 
Comment by Robeta Becnourt

Congratulation for the excellent job in your interview. You are very professional, intelligent and give excellent comments. I am so glad because CNN and MSNBC are very envious and that is why Abrams is very critical sometimes about FOX programing. My family and many friends do not miss you program “Keep your great job”. I am a democrat and  many of my friends and my family will vote for the republicant candidate if Mr. Obama is selected as the candidate. I will never will be a Democrat again 

 

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