Chris Matthews on Monday smeared supporters of enforcing America's
immigration laws, linking them to the post-Civil War "back to Africa"
movement for African Americans. After liberal columnist David Corn
insisted that Mitt Romney had boxed himself in, politically, on the issue, Matthews
snarled, "How is this any different than the big boat argument of people when it comes to African Americans after the Civil War?"
Matthews continued, "This idea of 'put them on a boat and send them
back where they came from.'" Finding the worst motives in his political
opponent, Matthews insisted, "You know, he says that in polite
language, but that's what Romney's been saying. 'Get home where you came
from.'" [MP3 audio here.]
Later, Politico journalist John Heilemann pointed out that some older Latinos don't support illegal immigration.
This, apparently deviated too much from Matthews' talking points. He
pounced, "What is the reaction to people that don't like them though?
It's one thing to have a conservative view on the law. What do you do
when you hear there's people in politics who just don't like you because
you're Mexican American?"
