Monday, July 23, 2018

That's Not the Ann Kirkpatrick We Know

Posted By on Mon, Jul 23, 2018 at 11:17 AM


The Daily Beast reports that this morning, Fox & Friends got bamboozled by a candidate claiming to be Democratic Ann Kirkpatrick, who is running in Arizona's Congressional District 2:

The show began the segment by playing video from last week’s Democratic primary debate for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District, in which candidate Ann Kirkpatrick was booed for being the sole participant to offer unqualified support for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE).

Fox host Jillian Mele then wound up for some slow-pitch softball: “And joining us now, that candidate. The only Democrat on stage to support ICE. Ann Kirkpatrick, thank you for joining us, we appreciate it. Tell us why you do support ICE.”

“Good morning. I’m actually here to speak directly to Donald Trump,” the woman began, appearing via satellite. “I feel that what’s happening at the border is wrong. I’m a mother of four and I believe that separating kids from their parents is illegal and inhumane.”

And without pausing, she revealed herself: “I’m actually Barbara L’Italien. I’m a state senator representing a large immigrant community. I’m running for Congress in Massachusetts. I keep thinking about what we’re putting parents through and imagining how terrifying that must be for those families, imagining how it would feel not knowing if I’d ever see my kids again. We have to stop abducting children and ripping them from their parents’ arms, and stop putting kids in cages, and stop making 3-year-olds defend themselves in court.”

Co-host Rob Schmitt, realizing the planned message had been hijacked, attempted to interrupt L’Italien, telling her: “That practice has stopped at this point, Ms. Kirkpatrick, right?”
The real Ann Kirkpatrick, who was booed last week at a forum for her response regarding a congressional vote supporting ICE, sent out a press release stating her own position on ICE:


This morning, Fox News and other outlets put out false reports on my position on ICE without a single word from me. Here is where I stand.

ICE needs top-to-bottom reform. Trump's policies— especially around family separation — are illegal and should end immediately.

I am disgusted by the Trump policies aimed at immigrant families. Children separated from their parents. Children put in cages. Parents deported for minor civil infractions such as traffic tickets. These policies are immoral and they are counterproductive.

The work done by ICE and the Border Patrol must be done in a manner that is humane, ethical, accountable and transparent. Today, in many cases, it is not.

I support Comprehensive Immigration Reform, and I support the DREAM Act. I also support making sure that federal government employees like those who work at ICE are following the law, and respecting the humanity of the people.

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