GOP Rep. Calls Miami 'Third World Country'

Gov. Jeb Bush Fires Back, Calling Colorado's Tom Tancredo's Comments 'Disappointing' And 'Naïve'

(CBS/AP)  A Colorado congressman who likened Miami to a "third world country" defended his comments in a letter to Gov. Jeb Bush, saying fewer city residents consider themselves Americans.

Bush had earlier responded to the remarks made by Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., after the congressman criticized the city's poverty and crime while attending an immigration conference in Palm Beach over the weekend.

Tancredo, a vocal supporter of the anti-illegal immigration movement in the U.S. House, made his initial comments to WorldNetDaily, a conservative online new site, his spokesman Carlos Espinosa said.

"Look at what has happened to Miami. It has become a Third World country. You just pick it up and take it and move it someplace. You would never know you're in the United States of America. You would certainly say you're in a Third World country," Tancredo said.

Bush, who plans to move to Miami after vacating the governor's office, said in his letter, said Tancredo's comments were "disappointing" and "naïve."

"Miami is a wonderful city filled with diversity and heritage that we choose to celebrate, not insult," Bush said.

Late Tuesday night, Tancredo responded with a letter to the governor, defending his view.

"I certainly understand and appreciate your need and desire to create the illusion of Miami as a multiethnic 'All American' city," Tancredo wrote. "I can also appreciate that Miami's schools graduate many outstanding students and that the cultural and ethnic diversity of the city offers many advantages to its residents.

"However, it is neither naïve nor insulting to call attention to a real problem that cannot be easily dismissed through politically correct happy talk," Tancredo wrote.

Tancredo said a growing number of Miami residents don't speak English, one of the few things that holds Americans together.

Bush said he was disheartened by the congressman's "disparaging comments" and touted the city's diversity as a reason Florida leads the nation in job growth and continues to have a bustling economy. He acknowledged crime problems in the city, but noted they have dropped every year since 1999.

"Perhaps your naive comments served as a good reminder for everyone to lessen the anger, frustration and emotion surrounding the issue of immigration," Bush said in the letter. "Overheated rhetoric won't solve this issue. We need a comprehensive solution that will require cooler heads to prevail."

Miami Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, also criticized Tancredo's comments. Ros-Lehtinen also invited him to visit Miami.

"I hope you will take Cong. Ros-Lehtinen's offer to come visit our community," Bush said in a handwritten post script.

A spokeswoman for Bush said the governor has a close connection with Miami's Hispanic community.

"He's disappointed," Alia Faraj said. "He takes pride in the diversity in Florida and feels very strongly about Miami. It's his home."

[poegrrl]

As happens quite often, the debate is not centered around the real issue. Tom Tancredo's comments, though most likely coming from a biased stance, should be taken seriously. Miami, like many cities, IS like a third world county. The very rich exist beside the very poor, with vastly different opportunities and services for each. The problem is not that people might speak a different language--this argument is a red herring. There are many cities like Miami that suffer from so-called third world conditions. I think that the reason this comment is receiving so much attention is that most Americans are shamed by the idea that our great nation is evidently not as great as we like to believe. There are savage inequities that exist. As for the question of immigration, let us not forget that we are a nation of immigrants (this is an old argument, but many seem to forget). I live in South Florida and I happen to love the fact that the world comes to me, that I have access to so many cultures and so many diverse peoples. I am also a French teacher and so am not so perversely afraid of different languages. We need to work on making the U.S. a strong, welcoming nation that knows how to maintain our values no matter the constituency of our population.

[bushrocks1]

Would I send my son to this war? You might ask would I send him to World War II? Or Vietnam? Maybe you would distinguish those conflicts and whether you would send your son to fight in them. But that question is misdirected in a very important way: I can't command my son to go to war. He has to make that choice. So the better question would be: would I volunteer to fight in Iraq, WW II, Vietnam? Would I volunteer to fight in any war? Respond if drafted? I don%u2019t know. I'm not equivocating, only addressing that it is a hypothetical. To a hypothetical, I can answer, sure I'd fight. But I have nightmares of battle (from my past life as a Jacobite). So how do I feel toward those who do volunteer? Impressed and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country that can't find those men is doomed. The fact that we can find them is one reason why I say there is no failure in Iraq. Objectively, I also believe it for other reasons. An attempt to establish democracy in the Middle East is a bold, brilliant, noble effort, facing a high chance of failure. That's why I greatly respect and admire those who have made the attempt--the Bush administration. They have been resolute, something I have not seen in my lifetime. They may not succeed, for reasons outside their control or fault: traitors on the home front being a big one. Now those traitors have apparently occupied the high ground. Yet... we're still in Iraq. Why?...I'm waiting.

[lestb35]

English as the National language. period. It's what's going to hold us together. No illegal amnesty. Take back America, it's ours.

[bodiddle49]

I think Mr. Trancredo's comments are right on the money. As an english only speaking floridian, I find it increasingly difficult to live here. Most of the people I work with that can speak english perfectly well but chose to talk in spanish as if I was not even there. The last time I went to Miami I found very few english speaking people when asking for directions. Spanish, Haiten, Finish or any other foreign lanquage; thats what I call Third World. What else would you call an area or people that treat you like your not from thier country? That's my question to Jeb!

[sandy5274]

If you mistakenly think that Miami FL is the
only one of El Presidente George W Bush & The
GOP's 3d World Cities,then come see Phoenix,AZ
as we also have a Boy Scout Do Gooder Mayor Phil
Gordon and A Can't Catch A Dead Mouse Police Chief Jack Harris,who refuse to enforce our State
and Federal Immigration Laws,and so we now have
over 500,000 Illegal Aliens,living here and doing
their best to turn Phoenix into trash heap and a
cheap labor mecca for greedy big business! So its
time to wake up America as it will only get worse
now that the Democrats under the San Francisco
looney tunes mental midget Nancy Pelosi and her
Democrat Senate countepart Sen Harebrain Harry
Reid are already publically stating they not
only support Illegal Alien Amnesty and Even Higher Temporary Worker Visas on top of that,and
don't forget Senor Sell Out Amnesty John McCain
has become President Bush's pointman on the
Republican side! So stand up and fight or we will
not have a United States of America since Bush &
Company are already building a "North American
Union" between Mexico,Canada and the US without
our even voting on it! Impeach Bush & Cheney!

[tucson23]

All you racists continue to confuse Latino-Americans with illegal immigrants. Hate to tell you this, but Miami is full of Americans who happen to be Hispanic. Not everyone with brown skin is an illegal alien, you ignorant fools. Racism is what's wrong with America, not immigration.

[j-whitman]

I wonder what Tancredo says about Bush's "North American Union",,, That will create 3rd world cities all through America.. And the GOP's doing it without informing Congress.

[bellal-2009]

Wrong. We don't need illegal labor. It's driving down wages and if a small business can't make it without hiring slave labor than maybe they should not be in business.

[bellal-2009]

We have laws, let's use them, deport illegals and make English the national language. If people want to come here they need to WANT to be American, that should be part of the deal otherwise why do we want them.

Jeb's wife is mexican, so he fits right in with the rest of the population

[glidescube]

That Rep is rught. All areas of America that are heavily latino look like trash dumps. It's not being racist it's being pragmatic and real. However, perhaps it's okay in that culture to live in decay and dishevelment and that is thier right to do so. That is the beauty of America.

[old300d]

Jeb is right ! Miami is a wonderful city !

[laurieleemoo]

yes, well they do really need to get REAL tough on all the people who as you stated, nurture and protect these illegals.

Again....though...lots of luck there, right?

Again....no enforcement there.

Okay...see you..have a good one!

[olebd]

There is no motivation set up in the program for illegals to turn themselves in. They certainly don't CARE if they are illegal and have plenty of sympathizers in this country to hide, nuture ande protect them.

[laurieleemoo]

okay olebd---yes, I have to go now also. And it was nice talking to you. Have a great night--see you around?

[laurieleemoo]

oh yes...the guest worker program...well there is just another dumb expensive idea.

And do they really think that we they make these illegal mexicans legal....that the corporations are going to be running out to hire them. No...they will be running out to get more illegals so they don't have to pay the payroll taxes and go according to labor laws and pay decent wages. I mean...would that not defeat the whole purpose of these corporations who hire the illegals.

Yes...actually...that would be the way we could bring even more illegals in...by making the already illegal ones...legal.

I mean, DUH!!!

[olebd]

I've got to sign off. It was nice chatting with you. I have followed your debates in the past with much amusement. Thank you!

[laurieleemoo]

The federal government really has me confused about laws. I mean..why exactly do they go around making laws again? I guess, they have nothing better to do and need paychecks...so its kind of like they are just sitting there looking busy....Oh yes, yes...we are working on these laws here....and then for what again? They certainly don't enforce them.

Its all nothing but a big fat joke if you ask me.

[olebd]

The laws seem to stretch every which way these days....lest our law enforcement gets accused of racial profiling or discrimination. This guest worker idea is such a crock too.....if you're illegal and get your guest worker permit....why would you turn yourself in once your permit expires??? Why not keep working? What a joke.

[laurieleemoo]

Its even more ludicrous to put laws on the books, not enforce them and then actually REWARD people for breaking them.

I mean...is it me...or is something wrong with this picture?