Smith says Republicans are after scapegoats

Intro: After lawmakers filed bills for the 2008 legislative session Monday, St. Louis Democrat Senator Jeff Smith spoke about a trend he sees in Republican issues.

Brandon Smith has more from Jefferson City.

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Republican Senators Jason Crowell and Scott Rupp both filed bills banning illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses.

Smith said he sees this as a sign of things to come.

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Description: The Missouri Republican Party is looking to find a group to scapegoat and use as a wedge issue to rile up their base.

Smith said the focus on illegal immigration is similar to the 2004 attack on gay marriage, saying "Republicans in 2008 will make immigrants the new gays."

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Brandon Smith.

Intro: As legislators filed bills for the 2008 session, St. Louis Democrat Jeff Smith spoke about a pattern he sees in some legislation.

Brandon Smith has more from Jefferson City.

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Republican Senators Jason Crowell and Scott Rupp both filed bills banning illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses.

Smith said this bill seems like the same type of legislation that has come up in the past.

Actuality: SMITH2.WAV

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Description: You see bills like the English-only bill last year which are going after problems that essentially do not exist.

Smith said the driver's license bill is just "another in a long line of measures" which distract voters from real issues.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Brandon Smith.

Intro: As legislators began filing bills for the 2008 legislative session, Republicans and Democrats in the Senate are already trading shots across the bow.

Brandon Smith has more from Jefferson City.

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Republican Senator Scott Rupp filed legislation banning illegal immigrants from getting driver's licenses and collecting welfare.

Rupp said immigration legislation would pass the Senate in 2008 unless there is an extended filibuster.

St. Louis Democrat Senator Jeff Smith said it appears the driver's license bill is one which only distracts voters from issues that matter.

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Description: You know I did engage in three filibusters last year and I wouldn't take that option off the table.

Smith said it looks like Missouri Republicans in 2008 are going to make immigrants their new scapegoat group.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Brandon Smith.