April 01, 2013 02:33 PM UTC

Gardner Mostly Silent as Radio Host Urges Him to Protect America from Mexican Freeloaders

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• by: Jason Salzman

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

You get the feeling that some Republicans are trying to sneak Hispanics into the GOP tent through the back tent flaps, for fear that welcoming them though the tent's front door will offend the dwindling number of Republicans already in the tent.

That's what I was thinking when KFKA morning show host Devon Lentz insulted the entire country of Mexico last week, and Rep. Cory Gardner, who was a guest on the program, acted as if he'd heard nothing rude or inappropriate.

"We’re going to deal with this immigration thing," said Lentz, who's a former Larimer Country GOP official. "Except that, how do we also keep from advertising in countries like Mexico that when you come here, here’s how to get on the food stamps, here’s how you take advantage of this system, and get housing assistance, and food assistance? How do we at least keep from advertising how to take advantage of our system?"

Who knew the hard-working people from Mexico are out to freeload on America? Are Italians similarly inclined? Brits?

Rather than throw that question back at Lentz or, perhaps, even praise Hispanics' current contributions to our nation, Gardner said:

"Well, and those are questions that are being asked regularly to the administration about how they’re doing it, and what they’re doing, and how they’re marketing various programs."

Gardner has said he wants Hispanics in the GOP tent, but with Lentz lurking around inside, and Gardner refusing to stand up for a country like Mexico, will Hispanics want to enter? 

It's a question reporters should discuss with the Gardners of the GOP. Can they make progress if they don't stand up for Hispanics when fellow Republicans insult them? Kind of like John McCain did when he defended Obama after a woman said he was an Arab she couldn't trust.

On the radio, Gardner told Lentz: "But I think we all recognize that the values that make this country great. And those are the two values that I talk about that we have to balance in any Immigration reform. And that is the first, balance the first value—that this country is and must remain a beacon of hope for the world. And the second value, that we are a nation of laws. And so, any immigration policy must meet those two stated values."

Got it. Beacon of hope. Nation of laws.

How does that square with making sure not to tell Mexicans how to get food stamps and housing assistance?