DES MOINES – Jack Hatch, candidate for Governor, Wednesday called for a nonpartisan “Iowa Coalition of Mercy” involving Iowa stakeholders to find out what Iowans may be able to do to help stop the humanitarian crisis on the nation’s southern border.
“This shouldn’t be about party, politics or dividing up voters,” Hatch said. “This is a moment in which all Iowans should come together, driven by the best in our faith traditions to do the right thing for children who desperately need our help.”
Hatch said he was disappointed in Gov. Branstad’s statements Monday indicating Branstad didn’t want any of the refugee children to be housed in Iowa.
“Even though I was disappointed in the Governor’s statement that we shouldn’t house any of these refugees, I am buoyed by his statement that we all want these children to be safe,” Hatch said. “We should focus on the second part of his statement and determine what resources Iowa can deliver to keep these children healthy and safe during this process.”
“This could include housing the children here, or providing food, medicine and supplies to other locations,” Hatch said. “Iowans care.”
“I want to give the Governor a chance to rethink this, and maybe conclude mercy and justice are more important than political points,” Hatch said. “Iowans expect executive leadership from a Governor even when the initiative is a public-private partnership.”
Hatch proposed a meeting of stakeholders including local governments, business, labor and nonprofit groups to assess Iowa resources and determine what can be done to help.
Hatch said Iowa has a long tradition of being welcoming to refugee populations as symbolized by former Gov. Robert Ray’s action in bringing 25,000 Southeast Asian refugees to Iowa in 1975.
“I’d like to remind Iowans of the incredible compassion and leadership of Gov. Bob Ray, who accepted refugees from Southeast Asia,” Hatch said. “Iowa always has been a welcoming state and this is no time to turn back on that legacy.”
Hatch said he took time Monday and Tuesday to reach out to leaders of the Interfaith Alliance and the Catholic diocese of Des Moines to come up to date on steps being taken and to learn about what resources are available from Iowa faith groups. Hatch pledged he would support the Iowa Coalition of Mercy publicly and contribute to it financially.
“These are children, and their well-being falls on us as Americans and as Iowans,” Hatch said. “This isn’t about immigration politics, it’s about children who need to be fed.”
Hatch said he felt he could set aside whatever political differences exist with Branstad to work on the refugee crisis.
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Hatch is Obama Lite – or, light. Hahahahahaha!!!!! Damn communists they are, yes. What ever chance Hatch would of had is all dried up now. Hahahahaha!!!!!
As a life long Iowan I’d like to make a suggestion on how to help these children. Find their parents, and send them back to them.
Just Say No.
Yeah, ““This shouldn’t be about party, politics or dividing up voters,” Hatch said.” But what’s he trying to do???
If Hatch is so concerned about wanting to help these children, there isn’t anyone stopping him from doing this on his own. He’s got lots of money. This is nothing but political grandstanding at its best.
383 billion American dollars p/year spent by our government on illegals. Only a damn FOOL would let more in. We have a LEGAL system. If they do not follow that then they are already criminals.
Thx to our Govenor, our State is financially in good shape. Now Mr. Hatch thinks we are STOOPID..STOOPID to erase it like this. We have our own problems to deal with, we don’t need Obama’s caused problems. We spend our money on Iowans!!
@Annie-Hatch is a closet Culver just waiting to get in and see if he can bankrupt the state.
I believe in immigration, the legal way. If someone comes across illegally send them back.
Yes. Jack, let’s spend more of the other guys money. If we didn’t let them in we wouldn’t have to deal with this. Why should they get in front of the line of those legally trying to get in? Scream all you want, it’s not fair.