by Chris Nava, VP for Political Action

Rep. Bilbray

Brian Bilbray’s racist colors are showing. And once again his ignorance is there for the world to see.

See Rep. Bilbray’s comments on MSNBC.

You can tell an illegal immigrant by the “different type of attire…right down to the shoes…” is an outrageous and offensive statement coming from a member of congress. It is time that our Congressional District rids itself of Brian Bilbray and sends a Representative to Washington who will work for the interests of the district, not those of special interests. For too long this former lobbyist of FAIR (Federation for American Immigration) and who serves on FAIR’s National Board of Advisors has largely focused his attention on immigration issues from the perspective of FAIR doctrine. Bilbray’s ties to FAIR raise serious questions because its founder, John H. Tanton, is a noted racist (see info on John Tanton’s Network at the Southern Poverty Law Center website) who has started and funded anti-immigrant hate groups. (More on FAIR in a Rachel Maddow segment embedded after the jump.)

FAIR considers Brian Bilbray “a close friend and valued advisor,” and they have proved their gratitude with generous campaign contributions (nearly $10,000 from six of the 11 members of the Board of Directors.) They also paid him $300,000 for his lobbying efforts from 2002-2005.

For more on FAIR, see this segment from the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, April 26, 2010.

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This is not the first time that Bilbray has been accused of racism. He has been under the radar for some time. Some of his notable quotes are on record and reveal a lot about his character. In 2000 when he lost his re-election bid to Susan Davis, he complained bitterly that “we are creating a slave class that criminal elements breed in.” He attributed his loss to the “illegal aliens” who had voted against him. Another not-too -bright moment for Bilbray was when he displayed letters from Latinos in his Washington office and publicly ridiculed their misspelling. His penchant for making offensive remarks about women and minorities is well known. Brian Bilbray does not belong in Congress.

Send messages to Bilbray, to let him know we don’t agree with his position, and to newspaper editors. (Use the links at the lower right-hand column of this page.)

References:

The Federation for American Immigration Reform

The Center for Responsive Politics Open Secrets website

“Anti-immigration groups ” Southern Poverty Law Center

“The Puppeteer” Southern Poverty Law Center (background on John Tanton)

Govtrack page on Brian Bilbray

Talking points for letters:

• We are outraged, stunned, shocked etc. by Bilbray’s racist comments

• Bilbray is doing a poor job of representing the 50th Congressional District

• Bilbray’s ties to FAIR are cause for concern

• Bilbray receives large contributions from FAIR

• Bilbray has a history of making racist comments

• We need to vote him OUT