DALTON, Ga. - Former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal today slammed former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes' position on illegal immigration.
Deal said there are clear contrasts between the two candidate's records. He cited a 2001 newspaper article in which then-Gov. Barnes said former Mexican President Vicente Fox and then-President George W. Bush should restart immigration talks about possible citizenship for some illegal immigrant workers.
"Roy Barnes has a proven track record of promoting services for illegal aliens such as welfare programs, tuition assistance and even driver's licenses," Deal said while speaking at Dalton City Hall.
"Only now is Mr. Barnes changing his tune after reading the tea leaves," Deal said, citing a recent Mason-Dixon poll that showed 67 percent of Georgians support legislation that would bar children of illegal immigrants from attending state universities and colleges, even if they pay out-of-state tuition.
Both men are in a tight race for the governor's mansion. Polls have fluctuated in the last week, but one from last week puts the men running even at 42 percent respectively and Libertarian candidate John Monds polling at 5 percent.
Barnes' spokesman said the statements did not fairly articulate the former governor's view on immigration.
"Roy did not support driver's licenses for illegal immigrants then and he doesn't now," said spokesman Emil Runge. "Roy does not support allowing illegal immigrants to attend Georgia's public colleges and universities."
For complete details, read tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.