Brown, Whitman Exchange Barbs Over Undocumented Students
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown reiterated his support for undocumented college students at California's public universities, suggesting at a news conference in San Francisco Monday that Republican rival Meg Whitman wants them to work in "subordinate positions."
The Los Angeles Times reported that Whitman went after Brown this past weekend, attacking Brown's recent statements a rally that California is wealthy enough to support public university for undocumented students.
"News flash to Jerry Brown: We do not have unlimited resources," Whitman told reporters. "We are in a budget crisis. We are going to have to make some very tough tradeoffs and [university] slots are being cut for citizens. And the fact that he wants to put undocumented ... immigrants ahead of the taxpayers of California, I just think is wrong."
She added, "Either he doesn't recognize that we are in a budget crisis or he's pandering for votes. I bet he's pandering for votes."
In a response at his news conference, Brown, the state's current attorney general, said: "They're here and she doesn't quite know what to do with it. Now, I think a kid who is going to school and has done well and can refine their skills ... that man or woman can make major contributions to our whole society. And if we're going to compete in the world, if we're going to produce the kind of prosperity we want, then we want every person to be able to learn and develop their skills to the maximum degree."
Brown continued, "And if Ms. Whitman's position is that she wants certain people in our society - even if they have lived here for 10 or 15 years, going to school and have A's and B's - if she wants them in a subordinate position, then I think she ought to say that. I can't believe Meg Whitman would say to these peole 'we don't want you to be skilled. We don't want you in college. We want you doing the more menial types of activties. Even though you've shown yourself ready for the highest professions."
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