I dont appreciate the Post mindlessly repeating the democratic party talking points and smearing me in the process.I have never lobbied for or otherwise supported the amnesty bill. As I informed the Northern Virginia Daily, my firm hasnt represented AILA for 18 months -- and when they did 1) I never met them or worked on their issues; and 2) no one at my firm lobbied for amnesty. The NV Daily story referenced a press release AILA put out last Friday -- as if i or my firm had anything to do with that. I resent the implication. I am deeply offended that Mrs. Schultz campaign manager would smear me, saying that I was 'actively lobbying for amnesty for illegal immigrants." The Schultz campaign should look at its own record before looking at mine. This unfounded attack by Mrs. Schultz campaign manager, Julie Petrick, is all the more ironic given that she was the chief political operative for Florida Congressman Ron Klein. With Ms. Petricks help, Klein has set a dangerous pattern of voting for legislation that encourages illegal immigration, putting the needs of illegal immigrants and the Democrat leadership in the House over the American citizens he was elected to represent. As recently as last month, Mr. Klein supported an attempt by the Democrats to feed another handout for illegal immigrants. This vote, which Klein helped to defeat, would have prevented illegal immigrants access to federal housing assistance, which is intended for low-income Americans. (House Roll Call 814). Klein also voted to give illegal immigrants government healthcare benefits by supporting a massive expansion of SCHIP that will be paid for by benefit cuts for America's seniors and tax increases on hard working Americans. (Roll Call Vote 787). Ms. Petrick and Mrs. Schultz should look at their own records before they try to smear me as part of their liberal attack on the 27th District. And the Post should actually excercise some editorial control and journalistic integrity -- instead of blindly repeating a partisan smear. Your reporters certainly know how to find me when they want a quote or are looking for congressional gossip in DC - you owe me the courtesy of asking for my side of the story.

Looks like a pretty desperate rant from a lobbyist who has no genuine principles but will simply take go to bat for whoever writes a check. Makes you wonder if Mrs. Vogel shares the same set of values. Dollar values that is.

Im so tired of the democrats speaking on behalf of the majority of the American people.I Don't think so. Who are they polling? The dems.They are yellow-belly,cut and run,do whats write for them or the vote.Not what best for our country.It seems as though they are trying to sell us short.And the immigration proposal wants to reward them for coming here illegal.To the tune of 5000.00 per child.Plus many other freebees our own legal citizens can't get.Dem want the illegals vote,no matter the cost to our country.Concerned American citizen.

Mr. Vogel, The Post wasn't mindlessly repeating any so-called Democratic Party lines. The reporter clearly referenced her sources and reported what others have said. You clearly have had an opportunity to respond, but you have chosen instead to attack the reporter, your opponent and her staff. You seem bereft of anything positive to add to the political discussion, and seem unable to contribute anything other than reams of hatred.

As constituents in Sen Pott's district, we have been horrified by your wife's ultra-conservative campaign material we get bombarded with in our mail box. She has come out for removing illegal immigrants, restoring "real" American society, and making English the official language of Virginia. That sounds like ethnic cleansing to us.

She is clearly using xenophobia and demagoguery to deflect attention away from the Republicans' abysmal record on transportation, education and the environment. On their watch, traffic has gone from unbearable to horrifying to such a point where so many families' lives have been torn apart. Universities have been squeezed to the breaking point. The environment has become more and more polluted with seafood industries all but collapsing and diseased fish in every lake and river.

We don't need anymore uber-fringe politicians in the state legislature. We need moderates who will work together to address transporation issues and support higher education. We can't afford to risk our economic future on politicians who will leave us stuck in traffic away from our families or impose stealth taxes on college students (read: tuition increases) all in order to protect the tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-rich.

Here's a couple questions for you: according to the Post, you and your wife claimed principal residence in Washington DC which would preclude being a principal resident in the senate district. You're quoted as claiming that you didn't read all the paperwork you signed when you bought your home in DC. As a potential state senator, what other documents do you expect your wife to sign without reading them? As a lawyer, will it be her policy to forgive negligence from adversaries who claim they didn't read the contracts they signed?

I leave you with these final thoughts: Christopher Columbus was an undocumented alien. The folks at the Jamestown Plantation were illegal immigrants.

I guess Mrs. Vogel wants to make it the responsibility of local governments and police to deal with illegal immigration. State and local police have been reporting illegal aliens for years. The former INS refused to cooperate and now the same goes for ICE. ICE is a joke. I wish the American public truly knew how we in law enforcement have cooperated with both INS and ICE but have received little help. Immigration enforcement is the primary responsibility of the federal government. Local law enforcement can continue to assist as it stands by making the calls to ICE. Virginia also has sufficient laws on illegal immigration and gangs. We have the authority to detain illegal aliens when they are arrested, have committed a crime or are committing a crime under 19.2-81.6 Code of Virginia. She is obviously unaware of the law. It's up to ICE when it comes to the decision to detain/deport. We have enough on our hands at the local law enforcement level. Our primary job is to provide public safety to our community, not illegal immigration enforcement. Many departments are strapped with bursting budgets and limited manpower. My department knows that first hand. Does she want us to pull our people off regular duties and say the heck with policing and protecting the public? I suggest that she hold the federal government accountable for this illegal immigration mess. Her immigration stance is nothing more than political. Doesn't she realize that ICE can't handle what they have now? They will only detain/deport violent offenders, not your local drunk or traffic violator. Why not go after the real issue that congress and our current Bush administration spend more time on Iraq than illegal immigration Mrs. Vogel? Why not hold the federal government accountable? I agree with Don Marrow. The individual states should sue the federal government for failing to act. Don't we as Americans pay enough in federal taxes? I demand the services for which I pay. America is in dire need of change. Why not start with our elected officials in DC that run this country. This country is a mess. Vote them out. How about that 146 million that the GOA report showed of government employee's abusing federal taxpayer dollars by flying first class. What about the accountability? You are in this for the wrong reasons Mrs. Vogel. Don't expect to dump illegal immigration on my department and have my local tax paying citizens foot the bill. I refuse to allow it. You can continue to use lame illegal immigration tactics but it won't get you elected. Illegal immigration has been a problem for years and did not just come into light. Illegal immigration issues are compliments of our federal government. The Commonwealth of Virginia cannot foot the bill as well. Governor Tim Kaine is well aware of this and I support him. I will surely pass the word to everyone to make sure that they don't vote for Vogel. I can guarantee it.

I meant Don Marro.

When I google Jill Vogel and see, "Learn how to profit from Amnesty Jill Vogel shares her secrets", I do not see journalism I see a political hack. Your newspaper seems to have left journalism for the front page to back page editorial. What ever happenned to the five Ws? You know the Who, What, When, Where and Why? I want to see both sides of the story. You should have a more responsible aproach to jouralism and leave the propaganda to the respective parties and to the editorial page. What ever happenned to fair reporting?

One more hypocrite full of hatred, looking to take over the world and spread it.

Take your nasty smelling prejudice and spread it elsewhere, deary. No farm land or city or country HERE need it.

I have been a Republican all my life. I have a card showing me a "Sustaining Member" of the Republican National Commitee since 1975. I voted for Bush twice. But I am sickened by the vile bigotry that is behind this whole political stink.

I do not accept that the ignorant haters and the cynical politicians who cheer them on, "just want to enforce the law". No one is suggesting it be illegal to rent to someone who gets speeding tickets or doesn't pay their taxes. Both of those offenses, incidently, are FAR MORE SERIOUS than not having the right immigration permits. "Illegal" immigrants (actually a civil and not a criminal offense) probably are a net plus for the country.

If you do not like my math, there still is no honest way to make people who work, have a low crime rate (yes, that is the truth--the other statistics on criminal aliens are both false and hate speech), and mostly pay taxes into a national crisis.

On this I stand with Bush, McCain, and a large number of others in the Republican party. I will not support any Republican who makes themselves an accessory to ignorant hatred. If that means I help Virginia turn blue, the Republican Party will be better for it.

She wants state and local authorities to arrest and deport all "criminal illegal aliens? Doesn't Vogel realize that local and state law enforcement don't have the authority to deport? We arrest on local/state criminal charges and notify ICE when we determine subject in custody is here illegally with reasonable suspicion under state law. ICE makes the determination whether or not a detainer will be issued to deport, not us. ICE will only issue detainers on serious violent crimes, not illegal entry alone. Illegal entry into the country is civil, not criminal. ICE has limited bed space and agents. Does Vogel really think that all illegal aliens will be deported? What planet does she reside on? Cut off all state funding? Most don't even get funding. They are too fearful of deportation. Any funding mandated by federal law won't stop. Supreme court ruling Plyler vs. Arizona mandates that we educate all children regardless of citizenship status and guarantees rights of the 14th amendment of our constitution. Vogel must feel that she has the authority to rise above the United States Constitution. Typical Republican feeding us a line of b/s just to get elected. Do us a favor Jill take your name out of the hat. We don't need someone like you representing us. We've been misrepresented enough. We have enough bigotry, xenophobia and prejudice in our communities. We surely don't need Jill Vogel helping to spread the hate!

Sorry, I meant Plyler vs. Doe. Got too ahead of myself.

I know many many illegal immigrants, and none of them are committing crimes. They're here to work, and they contribute to the economy and society. What are people so scared of? Why doesn't anyone bother giving statistics on how many Americans commit crimes every day??? Immigrants are people too. Every race or ethnicity has good people and bad people, criminals and good-samaritans. Why are so many people acting as if all illegal immigrants are here to commit crime? What about people born here in the U.S. Are all of them good people? I don't think so! So what's next? Before you know it politicians will be wanting deport everyone who they see as an "alien", including people born here in the U.S. No one is an "alien", we're all human, and being born in the U.S. doesn't make someone better than someone else who was born in another country. Also, why is it considered a crime for someone to dream of a better life and come to America in search of that dream? How can people celebrate Thanksgiving and then be saying "stop illegal immigration!". Do these people even know why they are here today and born American citizens? Because their ancestors were illegal immigrants!

As far as who I'm going to vote for, I don't know. I was trying to find someone pro-immigration but it seems most politicians are too ignornant and small-minded to say that they are pro-immigration and want to keep families together, and stop trying to break up families. As it says in the United States Constitution, "All humans were created equal". And where is the "liberty and justice for all"??? Denying rights to millions of hard-working immigrants simply because they don't have the money to come here the legal way, that is very unfair and unjust.

It Sounds like there a bunch of you bleeding hearts out there "those poor immigrants" Do you understad what "ILLIGAL" is?. If you think that they do not have to follow our laws, then why should you follow any federal law? Give them 90 days to get out of this country and then come in legally like all other immigrant did or send them to Arizona. I'm sure that Joe Arpieo could put them into their tent city in the desert.

Spoken with true ignorance ED.

I have a simple observation and please don't make presumptions based on my comments. It's not that simple.

I'm curious why I don't see a wave of support across this country to eliminate the existing laws pertaining to immigration. I fully understand both sides of the issue and you can surmise my position simply based on my comment. I believe those who are against illegal immigration are naive to believe the issue can easily be resolved by throwing more money at it (more border patrol, a concrete wall, deportation, etc.). On the other hand, I challenge anyone who is in support of illegal immigration to write his or her federal representatives and start the fight to eliminate immigration laws. Is that a pause I hear?

Life is rarely black and white and issues are rarely simple to resolve. That's why I hate politicians. They'll try to convince you of both. Don't fall for their rhetoric, their looks, or their charm. They'll promise you everything to get into office and unfortunately, we'll forget those promises unless the media reminds us when they're not asleep at the wheel. Why don't they report the national debt on occasion - the last I checked, it's on it's way to $9 trillion (yes, that's trillion) dollars.

If there is one issue in America that is clearly black and white and is going largely unnoticed, it's the state of politics and our lack of will to fix it.

In my tiny apartment, God is present, so I hope you'll forgive me if I avail myself of the First Amendment and say ...

God help anyone who believes that any one candidate or any one party will resolve all our problems or even a couple. In my tiny world, that's a very naive point of view.

Rob, you got it right that no one party, person, or group is going to get this fixed. If we don't learn to work as a logical team, we all suffer.

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