http://www.businessinsider.com/reince-p ... ion-2013-8
GOP CHIEF: Mitt Romney's 'Self-Deportation' Quote Was 'Racist' And 'Horrific'
Brett LoGiurato Aug. 16, 2013, 7:12 AM 597
Reince Priebus
AP
BOSTON — In condemning Rep. Steve King's incendiary comments on immigration, RNC chairman Reince Priebus swept in his party's presidential nominee, saying that talk of "self-deportation" was "horrific" and even "racist."
Mitt Romney repeatedly used the term during the Republican primary campaign to talk about how his immigration enforcement policies would lead to unauthorized immigrants leaving the U.S. of their own accord, rather than needing to be deported.
"Using the word 'self-deportation' — it's a horrific comment to make," Priebus said, in a forceful rebuke. "I don't think it has anything to do with our party. When someone makes those comments, obviously, it's racist."
Preibus spent much of a mid-afternoon session with reporters defending the party's progress with Latino voters and steps on immigration reform, which it made a priority five months ago in its touted Growth and Opportunity Project.
Meanwhile, King is in Iowa this week, and he is continuing to defend his recent hostile comments on immigration reform, including that the DREAM Act is a backdoor way for Mexican drug mules to become U.S. citizens.
King is making life especially difficult for Priebus, five months into a GOP "rebrand" that depends on patching up relations with Latinos.
Priebus bristled when asked about King's comments on Thursday — specifically, one in which he said illegal immigrants have "calves the size of cantaloupes" so they can haul "75 pounds of marijuana across the desert."
"Well, of course, it's hurtful," Priebus said of those comments. "Of course, it hurts. ... Just, not good."
Priebus' comments to reporters came right after a program in which the RNC highlighted "Rising Stars" in the party: new faces that it will promote through media appearances. One of those stars was Marilinda Garcia, a New Hampshire State Rep. who wants a legislative fix to the nation's current immigration laws and touted new ways she thought Republicans should engage Latino voters.
Marilinda Garcia RNC
AP
Marilinda Garcia
Though it wasn't a topic of any of the panels here, multiple state chairs and GOP officials openly talked about their support for comprehensive immigration reform — though they were skittish about supporting the Senate-passed bill.
