The Dems want an apology from Speaker Howell

House Democratic Leader Ward Armstong and House Caucus Chairman Brian Moran are holding a conference call today to talk about House Speaker Bill Howell's remarks on illegal immigration.

According to the Dems, Howell needs to be scolded for suggesting that the state's newest residents may not embrace "the shared values we have in Virginia." Democrats appear to be using that statement to make a larger point about the expected flood of legislation aimed at curbing and punishing illegal immigration.   

Armstrong and Moran say the GOP has an "immigrant-bashing agenda for the legislative session that will begin in January."

"Among other measures," they say, "it would bar publicly funded colleges and universities from accepting undocumented aliens -- even those who have graduated from state elementary, middle and high schools. To Mr. Howell and his cohorts, it is a mere detail that most public colleges in Virginia already deny entrance to such immigrants. In fact, the Republicans could not cite a single example of an illegal immigrant gaining access to public institutions of higher learning. No matter. The Republicans' point here is to stick it to the culturally distinct 'other' by hook or by crook, even to the point of suggesting -- again without proof -- that some of the 36 percent of applicants rejected by four-year public colleges in the state had been denied a place because of the supposed tide of illegals also seeking higher education.

"It's an ugly strategy and certainly not one unique to Virginia. It seeks to distract voters from core state issues such as transportation, fiscal prudence and good governance. But bigotry-mongering's day in Virginia is long past, and voters in the state have shown little disposition to reward candidates who extol intolerance."