December 7, 2007
Posted: 04:48 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Mitt Romney defended his anti-illegal immigration credentials Friday, telling CNN there was no gap between his tough enforcement rhetoric on the stump and recent reports that he continued to employ workers at his Massachusetts home who could not legally work in this country months after news accounts first revealed their status.

“I certainly have never proposed that homeowners have a responsibility when they hire a contractor to then go out and inquire of the company’s employees whether they happen to be legal or not,” the Republican presidential candidate told CNN’s Dana Bash after an Iowa campaign stop. “As a homeowner… that’s not something that’s available under the current system in this country.”

He added that that kind of verification was the responsibility of the companies themselves, and of the federal government.

When the former Massachusetts governor was asked if, as a presidential candidate, he should have made a special effort to ensure workers at his home were eligible to work in this country – gone the “extra mile” – he reacted angrily.

“And what’s the extra mile? … and you tell me how to do that in this country,” he said. “Let’s say I go to a restaurant, should I make sure that waiters there are all legal? How would I do that?”

Romney also told reporters that his Thursday speech on faith was not designed to address concerns among many evangelicals, who will form a major voting bloc in next month’s Iowa caucuses. “The speech was not about politics I don’t know how the politics work,” he said. “[I] don’t know what the implications are from a political standpoint” — although his own campaign sent out a release Friday noting the political impact of that speech.

– CNN’s Dana Bash contributed to this report

Filed under: Mitt Romney


Kristy Sanborn, Buckhorn, Mo.   December 9th, 2007 10:11 am ET

Tim, speak to the others, lol,I asked what the price he got his work done for…was….
so it must have been cheap, huh?

Tim, Minnesota   December 9th, 2007 8:34 am ET

He must of had a hunch they were illegal by the price of the bid on the work. I have to think of everything for you people.. :)

Dave,Texas   December 9th, 2007 4:11 am ET

Romney is just another typical status-quo, two-faced, bible-thumping Republican who happens to think that he is an exception to the rule!

Charles in Salt Lake City, UT   December 8th, 2007 9:48 pm ET

Having had time to finally digest Mr. Romney's much anticipated "faith" speech, I have to state the obvious: This will not be remembered as one of the great speeches of history.

I realize he probably meant well, but when he said words to the effect that "faith requires freedom and freedom requires faith," Romney in one fell swoop managed to disenfranchise the liberty of every American who chooses to live their life without a faith system — and whether that condition applies to one lone individual or a considerable host, the very essence of being an American is that a person is free to make that choice and still be an American.

But worse, Romney's remarks are but a hair's bredth from the view that "only the TRUE faith" can provide us with "TRUE" freedom. And if that is to be the case, whose faith must we define as the "true" one? Romney's? JFK's? Pat Robertson's? Joseph Liebermann's?

What Romney's speech has managed to do is guarantee that he will not receive his party's nomination by assuring us all that he cannot possibly win in the general election.

Former Rightie, Pittsburgh   December 8th, 2007 4:48 pm ET

Why can't Americans realize that undocumented workers are a reality that is not going away. These workers need to be documented and will then be taxed and obligated to pay for the infrastructure, health care, school services etc that they use.

Get over it America. Supply and demand. The jobs are in demand and undocumented workers are the supply until they are made to be documented !

Justin, New York   December 8th, 2007 4:14 pm ET

Please. Romney can't pretend and play dumb to the fact that he knew, as well as most of upper-class money makers, that the folks cleaning their houses and landscaping their yards are probably illegals. They get paid next to nothing yet we as Americans continue to use services that we know probably employ illegals, yet we turn a blind eye.

Honesty is a virtue, Mitt. Thought Mormons believed that.

Kristy Sanborn, Buckhorn, Mo.   December 8th, 2007 1:31 pm ET

Romney asked if he were to go into a restraunt, should he question the legality of its workers. If he was the owner, responsible owner, of the restraunt, then yes, those workers should be questioned. A person would think with all the controversy on illegal immigrants, that Romney would have questioned the ones working on his yard, whether they were hired by a company or not. Aren't we responsible for what happens on our property?
If he doesn't know how politics work, they work like have illegals working on your premises, and it will come out, just as this did. Wonder what kind of price Romney got for the work done at his house?

Steve Blaine Washington   December 8th, 2007 1:26 pm ET

This is the same man that was on the board at Marriott and OK'ed porn in the rooms. Wonder what his view on porn is now.

Posted By Editor, ExposeRomney.com : December 7, 2007 6:34 pm

I do not know if Romney was on the board of directors of Marriott but how would this anti mormon know how a closed board of directors voted.
This website is an anti Mormon website.
They claim all kinds of Untrue Mormon believes including that God had sex with Mary. Go into the website and see for yourself and see all the bigoted anti mormon untrue statements.

Walt, Belton, TX   December 8th, 2007 9:43 am ET

Huckabee and Romney claim all kinds of public service but neither had the guts to serve their country one day in the Armed Forces. Neither has put their life on the line for their country. They have only lived off the largesse of the American taxpayer. I, for one, do not want either on of them occupying the White House as my Commander-in-Chief. They will both acquiesce and we will all be speaking mexican or farsi in no time at all.

Sam, IA   December 8th, 2007 7:56 am ET

Deacon, Harrison: Wake up. If you had the work done illegals where on the job. The contractor has no reason to admit that to you. So YOU hired and payed illegals. Welcome to the real world. Quit bashing illegals and voting for the party that accepts campaign contributions from the packing, poultry, dairy and construction industries while they curry your vote by screaming about illegals!!!

Rudy Martinka Elmhurst, Il   December 8th, 2007 7:51 am ET

I just had my home reroofed. I told contracter that I did not want any illegal Mexicans working on my roof. So the workers all spoke Polish. When i asked the other two contractors that quoted to do the same, they said there are no Americans that will do roofing, the work is too hard.

Shawnie Cannon, Grants Pass OR   December 8th, 2007 6:44 am ET

Saenz, the man who owns the lawn company in question STILL claims he has never hired illegals.

It is the actual employer's job to ensure legal workers, but right now, once they are caught, literally nothing happens. There are no teeth. That is what needs to change.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   December 8th, 2007 6:17 am ET

The Republican dictionary consists of the phrases "not my fault" - "mistakes were made" and "I don't recall." You'll find all of the above used in the news reports this week.

What did Mitt do a year ago? He hired the same lawn company again. What is happening to that company? Fines? Inspections? Supervision? I haven't heard. If the problem is people who hire undocumented workers, then Mitt needs to start in his own backyard… no excuses.

Gary, Oakland, California   December 8th, 2007 5:49 am ET

For run of the mill home owners, Romney may be right. How is someone like you or me supposed to check the legal status of someone a contractor hires?

But if it was when he was the Governor of Massachusetts, and some people would say even after that since he was the Governor, he had a responsibility to the people of his State (not to mention his own family) to not only make sure that the workers employed at his house were not only legal, but were not terrorists, wanted criminals, etc.

So in my opinion, his answer was a bad excuse at best. And that is being intentionally polite about it…

dk   December 8th, 2007 5:08 am ET

Did Mitt Romney serve in Vietnam? If not why is he not labeled a draft dodger?

Why is it nothing ever seems to be his responsibility or his fault? Does this attitude sound familiar?

Brad, San Antonio   December 8th, 2007 2:27 am ET

awesome statement Gundi

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 8th, 2007 1:04 am ET

Romney: Not my fault illegal immigrants worked on home, where else would I get such cheap laborers?

John Smith   December 8th, 2007 12:06 am ET

Why dont you have Anderson Blooper interview the illegal aliens at Romney's house? Or is he busy covering the gay marraige issue? Or driver's licenses for illegals? Or perhaps he's working on softball questions for Hillary?

SUSIE, MACUNGIE, pa   December 7th, 2007 11:36 pm ET

I TOTALLY AGREE - I DO NT INTERVIEW MY CONTRACTORS PAID HELP. THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ALREADY APPROVED THEM WITH WORKING CARDS - THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE, NOT THE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO ARE DUPED BY THE GOVERNMENT HIRING ILLEGALS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Apollo Fuhriman, Bothell, WA   December 7th, 2007 10:38 pm ET

So, did you check with the last restaurant to see if everyone had valid ID?

I wish that it were that easy. Here in Seattle, the governor gives out state ID and drivers licenses to illegal aliens.

Mitt fought against that type of open border amnesty. In this case, he fired the contractor.

I have cousins that are Peruvian. They speak in Spanish with each other. If someone asked them for their US ID, the ACLU would open up a case for racial profiling.

The system is messed up. We need to build the fence, massively fine anyone who hires an illegal alien, check ss#'s and names and kick out people who are here illegally.

Mitt will do this. It isn't like he commuted the prison term for a rapist who went out, raped a girl and then killed her (DuMond) like Huckabee appears to have done.

GiGi,Las Vegas, Nevada   December 7th, 2007 10:28 pm ET

The media will never stop on this issue. Why? Because it’s the only negative thing they have on Romney.

Also, It really didn’t matter what he said in his speech. Some reporter or critic would have found something negative to say about it. I liked his speech. He took the time to write it himself and didn’t care that his advisors were against him speaking about his faith. It came from his heart. People of integrity expect to be believed. And when they’re not they let time prove them right. Time will prove that Romney is a man of integrity. I truly believe that he is the only candidate running who can and will do something about immigration and the economy. He’s a man of action and not just lip service. Wake up America!!

Charles in Salt Lake City, UT   December 7th, 2007 10:18 pm ET

Like Mitt says, it wasn't his problem. Until it became his problem.

People who are concerned about illegal immigration need to know something about Mitt Romney that he isn't going to tell you. In Utah, we have what basically amounts to a "sanctuary" policy already. We are one of the mere handful of states that actually permits an illegal alien to obtain a driver's license, which in turn opens the door to automobile loans, rental arrangements, mortgages, bank accounts, etc — in other words, all those things that people who have broken our laws need in order to be able to continue to function in American society. Even the employees of government agencies are "strongly discouraged" or forbidden outright from reporting illegal aliens to ICE when they encounter them (as I know first hand, being a state employee).

But wait. Is this because Utah is such a progressive state, so well known for it's tradition of liberal thought? Hardly.

Utah's sanctuary policy stems directly from the influence and control of the LDS Church, whose members make up 99% of the State Legislature. The LDS Church (of which Mr. Romney so recently reminded us that he is an active, fully believing member) openly encourages this "don't ask, don't tell" approach to illegals largely because of such prople's Hispanic origins, based on the church's disire to counteract the theme of racism toward native Americans contained in the Book of Mormon. (Please don't take my word for this — you can go to any search engine and enter the words: Mormon, Indian, skin, white — and you will learn exactly what I mean. The Book of Mormon casts God Himself as a white-skinned racist who curses people by giving them dark skin on order to promote segregation. True.)

So even though Mr. Romney may say one thing on the subject of illegal immigration in order to try to win over your vote, he has another master to serve with different ideas that he will have to consider.

Remember that.

Daniel, NY   December 7th, 2007 9:28 pm ET

Let's face it, Romney is toast. He trails by a massive 22% in a just released Iowa poll. He cannot possibly survive this.

Tom Dedham, Mass   December 7th, 2007 9:12 pm ET

It's VERY plain that he see no problem nor has any idea on how to fix it. I had work done on my Mother's house and told each sub contractor" NO Illegals " on my job site. Amazing, over 60% of the contractors turn and walked away, never to seen again. At least I did something about the problem and still got the jobs completed.

Posted By Deacon , Harrison, Ark : December 7, 2007 5:31 pm

——————————————————————————–

Romney still doesn't get it. It's not about checking each illegal personally. It's that his rhetoric on this is so harsh that he implies that people should do whatever it takes to get rid of every last one of them. I hope he enjoys the lawn at his sanctuary mansion (or better his hypocrisy mansion).

Posted By Dan (Baltimore, MD) : December 7, 2007 5:33 pm

Actually Deacon, he did ask the CONTRACTOR if he hired illegals when it was first a possibility and he said that he didn't, what was Romney supposed to do? It was only proven after a local newspaper camped out at his house for WEEKS and followed the workers back to their homes accross the border.

Should a citizen such as Romney do this? What if these guys all were legal when Romney asked THEM, how do think that would have went over with the liberals in this country?

The Globe article states that "the workers were in plain sight", does that mean Romney should have known that they were illegal by looking at them "in plain sight"? Isn't that racial profiling someone?

How do you know all were legals that did the work for you, by looking at them, the color of their skin????

And Dan, he isn't saying that it is up to individual people, but the Government, Businesses and law enforcement to enforce the laws, abide by the laws and protect the citizens.

FOR LEGAL immigration, we embrace it, AGAINST ILLEGAL immigration, it is a crime and wholly bad for our country.

That's it in a nutshell.

Amber, San Francisco, CA   December 7th, 2007 8:58 pm ET

If Romney had people digging up dirt on the other candidates, I have no question that each one of them have hired someone who employs illegal immigrants. Isn't that the problem, that companies are hiring workers illegally and isn't that part of the correction process to our illegal-immigration problem - to put the responsibility heavily on the employers to check the social security numbers. Which brings up the other issue, the fraud in gaining a social security number.
Why can't we the people and the media focus on the real issues? We would solve more of our problems that way.
Romney's religion is also being singled out - has any of the other candidates had to lay out the specific beliefs of their faith. Romney says he believes in Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world, isn't that enough for other Christians to understand where his morals and values stand.
So lets start focusing on the 'meat' of what each candidate wants to do, and vote based on whether we agree or not - not on all this other garbage.

Kim, Peabody MA   December 7th, 2007 8:33 pm ET

Sure Romney, and I suppose it is not your fault of the huge mess you left behind in Massachusetts…

The first mark of a true leader is to be accountable for ones actions. Find out about the REAL Romney at:

http://wwww.MassResistance.org

Those of Faith need to WAKE UP! No More Compromise; No More Excuses!

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry.asp?id=208440

shannon NY   December 7th, 2007 8:24 pm ET

Deacon

did you also check all the dishwashers at all the restaurants you have eaten? what about the waiters?

pam Eugene OR   December 7th, 2007 8:09 pm ET

I am with you Curt from SD. We need to enforce the laws on the books. That is not our responsibility as citizens. We are not the the INS.
You have it right this time Mr. Romney.

Everett, ABERDEEN, MS   December 7th, 2007 7:55 pm ET

The problem with Mitt is not that he is Mormon and not that the company he hired employed illegal immigrants. The problem with Mitt is that he takes us for fools and insults our intelligence continuously. In doing so he displays the attitude and beliefs of an elitist, entitlement mentality. You see it when he changes on subjects, tries to have it both ways on subjects, evident again here in his comments about his speech: "I don't know what the implications are from a political standpoint." Right. He just woke up yesterday and felt like giving a speech and winged it. I guess he didn't hear or remember all the conversations he and his staff had measuring all the political ramifications of his speech.

What is really scary is that he is indignant; in other words, he believes he can say anything and it is the truth for as long as he says so, because he is the one who says it and we are being uppity if we question him. Remind anybody of some recent presidents? Anybody want to repeat the fun we've had over the last 16 years? Let's find somebody we can trust to be honest with us, even when it hurts to hear it.

VN, Sugar Land, Texas   December 7th, 2007 7:33 pm ET

What is wrong with the folks of this country? We've just had seven years of the worst administration ever, who will leave us with major if not catastrophic worldwide problems. Couple that fact with the new challenges like terrorism, mending fences with those countries who have been assailed and embarrassed, and all the monumental jobs that come with being president, and then we'll all realize how mundane and yes, silly, it is to criticize a candidate as to whether he or she hires service companies who have employed illegals.

I couldn't believe it when I heard a reporter interviewing Mitt Romney today, and saying — after he had fired the company he had hired for landscaping due to their hiring illegals — "Well, you can be sure this is one problem that will dog the Governor throughout his bid for the presidency!!! Lighten up, I say and act your age.

Nick, Eagle Mountain, UT   December 7th, 2007 7:32 pm ET

Re: Deacon , Harrison, Ark

Deacon, you didn't tell us about the background checks you had done on each of the workers on your site? I'm sure you didn't just leave it at saying, "No Illegals" because that's what Mitt Romney did and he still gets attacked because another was found to be illegal. Your argument has no merit, sorry.

Re: Dan (Baltimore, MD)

"It's that his rhetoric on this is so harsh that he implies that people should do whatever it takes to get rid of every last one of them."

Sorry, Dan, I've never heard Mitt imply that we should "get rid of every last one of them".

Mitt Romney's plan on immigration is made clear on his campaign site and you'll find it's pretty detailed. It includes… Implement An Enforceable Employer Verification System, Reject Amnesty, Secure The Border, Punish Sanctuary Cities, Improve Interior Enforcement, Encourage Legal Immigration. You may want to look into the issues more before you bash a presidential candidate.

D. Endo, Honolulu HI   December 7th, 2007 7:26 pm ET

This kind of political "two-stepping" that makes me ill. Most of the "solutions" that both republicans and democrats propose do not focus on the problem. The problem is profit driven employers are all too happy to hire cheap illegal workers as long as they don't get caught. If you stop the demand (focus on enforcement with employers) then you'll stop people from coming to the US for jobs.

Americans do not want to do these jobs because they pay far to little because of the drive for profits.

Reid Morrison, Duluth MN.   December 7th, 2007 7:15 pm ET

Usually before you hire a contractor, you recieve a proposal from him. If the prosposal underbids everyone else substancially, then you usually have a problem at hand. The extra mile in this case would have been to sign a contract with penalty clauses if the contract was terminated for such violations.

Cammie, Baltimore, MD   December 7th, 2007 7:10 pm ET

Governor Romney has a good point. I have a company mow my lawn and don't know whether the mowers are legal or not (I'm not home when they do it - I WORK for a living). And in a restaurant, or the dry cleaners - how in the world would I know of illegals? And do I need to check if the clothes I buy were made by illegals? Check all cab drivers, too?

Gotta be a better way!

Raymond, El Paso TX   December 7th, 2007 6:58 pm ET

WHAT'S THE 'EXTRA MILE' HE ASKS?! You make the company you CONTRACT accountable by forcing them to include it in the CONTRACT! Hence the word CONTRACTOR!

Not that we've ever elected one but does America really need a president with bad judgment?

chaz, chicago illinois   December 7th, 2007 6:54 pm ET

Would voting for a Mormon President be such a bad idea? No, because when we look at Hillary, or Obama, Edwards, or Giuliani, Thompson, or McCain it doesn’t matter. What religion are they? Oh, I forgot to look that up. I guess I can’t vote for them until I know. Hold on, I’ll tell you who I’m voting for after I look up everyone’s religion…I’ll be right back.

Elvis Presly, Yes I am still alive, San Francisco   December 7th, 2007 6:36 pm ET

We are all gods children I think there should be no such thing as borders period. People should be free to live were ever they want and work were ever they want. All countries should drop their boundries and the world could live as one just like John Lennon and Yoko Ono dreamed. The United nations could establish laws and all weapon could be destroyed. All gods children would be happy and content.I think this is the new world order the trilateral commission envisions. First we need the North American union then we can proceed to John and Yokos Dream.

William Courtland, Waterford, Ontario   December 7th, 2007 6:35 pm ET

I need to come in the defense of the Anti-Cult called Mormonism.

With deduction: it comes with reason that the legendary figure which the action heroes comic figure "superman" was based on was in fact a mormon. He had a special garment which he wore underneith his briefs. This garment had symbols on it sacred to his family.

The Occult then comes as the enemy of the Mormon religion, the occult being a cult of sorcery, not to be confused with wikken, as these occult commune grouping go without names or nationally accepted titles, the occult is a secret.

With the death of the 'superman' of the occult re-surfaced as the present day victor. The occult figures come like cathar against the age of the beguine, or the cathar of the first dark ages…

Shelly M., Tucson, AZ   December 7th, 2007 6:34 pm ET

I feel like I live on another planet.
I read these posts about why people don't like Romney. Can you believe these:
He's a religious person…so?
He's got good looks…so?
He's got too much money…so?
He's too smart for the average person to identify with…??
Jealousy never looks good on anyone.
Evangelicals and Catholics are using this as a chance to poke Mormons in the eye. There is nothing political about their behavior towards Romney.

Editor, ExposeRomney.com   December 7th, 2007 6:34 pm ET

This is the same man that was on the board at Marriott and OK'ed porn in the rooms. Wonder what his view on porn is now.

andrew s. rostolder hillsdale nj   December 7th, 2007 6:32 pm ET

if that question riled him, wait untill osama asks if it is ok to park in the president's spot at the mall

Chris, Bangor, Maine   December 7th, 2007 6:22 pm ET

I admire Mitt Romney…no other politian has the stamina to protect the american worker against illegal immigrants….it is not about race…it is about illegal immigration

Des Moines, IA   December 7th, 2007 6:17 pm ET

What a jerk.

Keith - Atlanta, GA   December 7th, 2007 6:14 pm ET

CNN is missing something. This story was broke by the Boston Globe by racially profiling people at Romney's home. Also, Romney was assured previously by the company that no illegals would be working on his property. I guess the message here is that its not okay to trust people and to be more suspicious of anyone with a darker pigment on his skin… Too bad we can't apply this same principal at airport security checkpoints.

JohnGalt Sturgis, SD   December 7th, 2007 6:12 pm ET

"It's not my fault/responsibility as a home owner" says Romney about illegals working on "his" property, it should be on his (lazy)mind when your running for public office. If he can come up with an "excuse" for not being on top of details re: his lawn work, we have another Bush in office. We don't need, or want another brain dead president.

G. Medina, Ohio   December 7th, 2007 6:11 pm ET

If Mitt Romney had scrutinized or interogated the illegals he would have been critized for being a "hater or a racist". Couldn't you just see Geraldo Rivera outside Mitt's doorstep demanding to know why he'd let an illegal immigrants child starve because he wouldn't let the daddy mow his lawn? Hell, he'd probably bring the hungry child and shove it in his face.
Once again the liberal media and journalists rule the world and will stop at nothing to destroy and tear apart anyone with truely good intentions.

The reporters and news commentators who feed off this frenzy should ask for proper ID from the illegals cleaning the toilets they piss in at work everyday.

John, Aliso Viejo, CA   December 7th, 2007 6:05 pm ET

Try living in southern california and never having an illegal work at your home: whether it's painting, landscaping, remodeling, whatever. Good freaking luck. This is a non-issue. Companies are the ones responsible.

pam Eugene, OR   December 7th, 2007 6:00 pm ET

I am a democrat but Romney is right on this one. I not not going in the kitchen of every restaurant I eat at and inspect all the cooks to look for illegals Nor will I look to see who makes the bed in my hotel. That is not my job. We have laws and agencies (INS) to do this. Just make them do their jobs and enforce our laws.

Wayne, Greenville TX   December 7th, 2007 5:57 pm ET

It's VERY plain that he see no problem nor has any idea on how to fix it. I had work done on my Mother's house and told each sub contractor" NO Illegals " on my job site. Amazing, over 60% of the contractors turn and walked away, never to seen again. At least I did something about the problem and still got the jobs completed.

Posted By Deacon , Harrison, Ark : December 7, 2007 5:31 pm

Amazing how you were able to do something, Deacon, while Mitt Romney could not.

Is this an indicator of his "leadership"????

Bill, Streamwood, IL   December 7th, 2007 5:56 pm ET

If Mitt Romney had been truly concerned about illegal immigrants working on his property, he could have simply made it a condition of the contract with the company that all workers assigned to his property be documented.

But more than likely he just wanted to get the best price. After all, even the very, very wealthy have got to pinch as many pennies as they can, otherwise they become average people, just like us. However, tt doesn't take a rocket scientist, or presidential nominee candidate, to figure out that the best price would naturally come from an outfit employing illegals.

The real issue is that Mitt wants to have his cake ("We have to do something about illegal aliens")and eat it too ("But they work so cheap"). But the Mittster shouldn't be surprised, or angered, if he is called out about it.

Ryan, Oakland, CA   December 7th, 2007 5:54 pm ET

I'm just commenting to point out that the commenter from Salt Lake City is not representative of the depth of LDS political thought (or proficiency with the English language). And also Gundi, the quote, "If you don't stand for something you'll fall for everything" is not from President Hinckley.

With that said, I'm a democrat and an Obama man, but I really think its a little much to blame Romney for illegals being employed by one of the many companies that work for him. Please, its really just ridiculous. We liberals should be careful about being too quick with the hypocrite label, lest it come back to haunt us.

Cameron Albuquerque, NM   December 7th, 2007 5:53 pm ET

I couldn't agree more. The Romney bashers have no viable alternatives to their blantant hypocrisy. As If Mr Romney were to check at the door each individual that worked on his home or that he ever did business with? Are you &*&%^ kidding me? This is ridiculous. These issues lie with the federal government and then the employers that decide to employ illegal immigrants, who happen to be humans, pretty decent ones at that. I'm amazed at the loathing of individuals who think a rich, handsome, solid individual who has morals that many of us could never live up, can't be a president. He's the very embodiment of what we as Americans should long to have. I hope the rhetoric of his despisers keeps falling on deaf ears and that people come to see the man for who he is while others continue to wallow in mud.

Jeff, Baltimore, MD   December 7th, 2007 5:49 pm ET

Thank you, Curt, we agree with you. It's not up to the individual to check the status of every person we do business with in our life. None of us have the time to do this. Besides, the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. has exploded in the last decade from 3 million to over 12 million. There are too many now to try to track, let alone find out if they are doing your lawn or not!

Hopefully we can secure the borders so this trend doesn't continue and cause economic and social problems for legal immigrants and Americans.

Marc, Boston, MA   December 7th, 2007 5:48 pm ET

Lies, lies lies…This man will say and do anything to get elected. Wake up people, make yourself aware. A wolf in sheeps clothing!

Brenda Van Maarion, Grande Prairie, Alberta   December 7th, 2007 5:46 pm ET

I saw the News flash on Romney, one of the republican presidential candidates. You were giving a review of his speech on faith. Unfortunately you, CNN, did not do your homework relating to the beliefs of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Should you wish truly wish to represent the truth and to know what we believe in then I refer you to our Articles of Faith, I also refer you to the Doctrine & Covenants Section 89, for the Words of Wisdom, both can be found within the Book of Mormon scriptures on the LDS.org website. As with all people on this planet, "Mormons" are no more perfect then anyone else, only Christ was perfect. We each strive to maintain standards and provide service to others - not one of the principles of our Church asks us to do anything other then uplift, serve and love others. We are admonished to live as forthrightly, honest and loving as we are capable of; yes some of us don't live up to our potential - that can be said of everyone, regardless of creed or color,but most of us try. May each and everyone of us on this planet strive to be Christ like to be loving and kind, to adhere to the small still voice inside of us urging us to do good and be loving. May you all have a very Merry Christmas - from Canada with Love

Mike Sawyer, Troy NY.   December 7th, 2007 5:46 pm ET

Mitt is right again. Let me ask that next time I pull into a McDonald's, if there are any illegals cooking my burger.

Gregory, Arlington, VA   December 7th, 2007 5:44 pm ET

It's not that Romney is against immigrants for crying out loud, he's against illegals, like millions of Americans. I work in the healthcare industry (hospital administration) and it is unbelievable how much illegals cost American tax payers. That is only one example … don't get started on the gangs of illegals or what illegals do in our educational system in Virginia and D.C.

Also, it's actually not that easy to find out exactly who working on your lawn is or isn't illegal, and some employers will lie about it. Besides, Romney likely had his personal assistant do the hiring for a lawn care company, not him. Let's be real people.

Anne E., SLC   December 7th, 2007 5:42 pm ET

Mr. Willard "Mitt" Romney oozes
and slides his way around so many topics that he should be called
"Slick Willie 2.0."

Jim Hodges   December 7th, 2007 5:42 pm ET

It does not take a rocket scientist to see that the issue of undocumented workers is a hot button issue especially after it has come up in a heated debate.
Wouldn't somebody have the where-with-all to be squeaky clean. Naive at the very best. Is it a stretch to know who is in your yard?
No way you bring up religion without knowing the political implications. A speech that is not political? Wow!

Travis Cummings   December 7th, 2007 5:41 pm ET

I'm just guessing that Rudy Guiliani has never eaten at McDonalds, never had his shirt dry-cleaned, never consumed any product that has been produced by a company that employs illegal aliens. Guiliani is very hypocritical here when talking about Romney's landscaping company. Have some perspective! But all Romney haters get a good laugh. That is whats important.

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX   December 7th, 2007 5:36 pm ET

Spin, Mitt, spinnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!

Bruce, Annandale VA   December 7th, 2007 5:35 pm ET

I do not see how he can be blammed for the work done by an outside vendor. Maybe next time I go to a fast food place, I will ask everyone for their papers.

Gundi Jones , Salt Lake City, Utah   December 7th, 2007 5:33 pm ET

This Mornings Paper, The Salt Lake Tribunes Headlines statet : Romney praised for his Speech , but….
It seems that every one is literally racing to find the buts and the Holes, no Matter how old or shallow, it needs to be re-examend ,to find fault and diminish the Impact of Governor Romneys Speech. PATHETIC! how many of us knowingly or not, helped someone illegal? Perhaps by puchising Goods, temp. hired help, or just graciously lending a Hand to someone in Need?
Ups, sorry, it seems that gracious People are on the endangerd Species List.
Let alone a Politician with Honor and Principles that will stand by his Convictions, and all of that without Name calling, black-balling or draggiung his Opponent thru the Mire.
Strange, all the Qualities that I would like to see in a President, are the ones that are detrimental.
I must say, It is absolutly not fair, for someone to be handsome ( great Teeth ) rich and decent, but then , Life is not fair.
why is it such a Threat to represent this Country and it's Citizen ( us ) with moral Values and Responsipility to all People and rational, intelligent enough to keep Reason in diffecult Situations and Decisions?
Oh, I forgot, Mitt Romney prays!
Another Determent, after all he could just ask any other political Advisor and recieve the same Insperation.
Strange, no one else comes to Mind.
I am sending this not becuaseof my religious Affiliation, but on personal Evidence that Prayer works.
Being born and raised in Europe, my Families religious History is Protestant and Catholic and most all of them relied on Prayer to help them thru some very diffecult Times.
In closing, a Quote from" Mormon " President Gordon B. Hinkly : if you don't stand for something, you fall for every thing "
With all the fallen political Examples: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR ROMNEY FOR STILL STANDING !

Dan (Baltimore, MD)   December 7th, 2007 5:33 pm ET

Romney still doesn't get it. It's not about checking each illegal personally. It's that his rhetoric on this is so harsh that he implies that people should do whatever it takes to get rid of every last one of them. I hope he enjoys the lawn at his sanctuary mansion (or better his hypocrisy mansion).

Deacon , Harrison, Ark   December 7th, 2007 5:31 pm ET

It's VERY plain that he see no problem nor has any idea on how to fix it. I had work done on my Mother's house and told each sub contractor" NO Illegals " on my job site. Amazing, over 60% of the contractors turn and walked away, never to seen again. At least I did something about the problem and still got the jobs completed.

Curt, San Diego, Ca   December 7th, 2007 5:27 pm ET

I agree with Mr. Romney, It’s not up to the individual to go and check the status of every person we do business with in our life. I do not have the time or the resources to carry out this task. The companies are the ones that should be accountable. If they are following the rules they will find the status of that person.

Walt, Belton, TX   December 7th, 2007 5:16 pm ET

That should about do it. Say goodnight, Mitt!

Daniel, NY   December 7th, 2007 5:16 pm ET

With two new polls showing Huckabee now first in a national primary survey and also first in South Carolina, Romney should definitely be careful for things could get away from him very fast. The best news for him is that Fred Thompson will do some of the dirty job for him, as this very negative mailer that Thompson sent out yesterday blasting Huckabee shows.

Jillian, Indianapolis, IN   December 7th, 2007 5:15 pm ET

I don't blame him for being "riled." It's preposterous to think anyone who doesn't support illegal immigration should check the status of every ethnic person who works for them.

jesse Queens NY   December 7th, 2007 5:13 pm ET

And down goes Mitt Romney - out of the race.
Big difference dining in a resturant and hiring a contractor.
In the very least, a homeowner should add to the contractor agreement that ALL workers prove they are legally in this country and as a special zinger add that if it is found that the workers are illegal, all the work done on the property will be at no cost to the homeowner.
THEN, you watch all the homeowners and possibly the contractor will be checking credentials.

Dustin   December 7th, 2007 5:13 pm ET

Dana Bash and Cafferty both looked like fools today on TV, Why do you expect candidates to turn into vigilanties against illegals. What you thought was anger was the truth.

zak,boston,ma   December 7th, 2007 5:12 pm ET

I was reading this and I can help it to see how many times Romney has changed his position.

Nathan Stoops Bourbonnais, IL 60914   December 7th, 2007 5:10 pm ET

Hello, I'm a Republican and proud of it. When will all the canidates in both parties, finally find out that WE ARE AT WAR. We cannot and should not forget this is real! The next attack I'm sure will be catitroficate than when it happens. We have to secure our borders and do whatever is nessisary.

Steve in SC   December 7th, 2007 5:09 pm ET

Give the man a break! No one that I know of inspects the ID of their paper boy (or girl) and lawn care worker. We trust the companies we hire to do that and it is their responsibility to do that, not the person paying for the service!

Danny, CA   December 7th, 2007 5:06 pm ET

Dana Bash has nothing to report and she wants to show that she is a good reporter by bashing republicans. Dana, we do not want to listen to your stories. They are not important.

Fred, SLC, Utah   December 7th, 2007 5:05 pm ET

Romney is lying with hypocracy! What does he mean he 'doesn't know how politics work' when he is a politician and is in politics and he is running for president?! We have seen enough of these 'righteous wings' to see what it has got the US into domestically and internationally. American needs its dignaty back and its definately not with him!

Mac Reynolds, Los Angeles, CA   December 7th, 2007 4:59 pm ET

This is just plain ridiculous. I saw the report on this, and was really disappointed in CNN. This is such a non-issue, and it is no wonder that Romney is tired of talking about it (and I saw the broadcast, he sure didn't look "angry" to me). He is absolutely right: this is akin to the Clinton/Obama "did you or didn't you want to be president when you were in kindergarten" NON-fiasco. Also, you failed to mention that when he found out they employed illegals he told them they were to stop the practice or lose his employment. They said they did, and then he found out they didn't. So he fired them. Wow. Big deal.

Steve, Lyons, CO   December 7th, 2007 4:53 pm ET

Oops. There goes Angry Boy, down in flames.

It's over, hotshot. Take your money and beat it.

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