It's important to discuss securing the nation's border, but to "demonize" Mexicans "doesn't make sense," former New York Gov. George Pataki, who has been speaking out over Donald Trump's comments on illegal immigrants, said Monday.
"He is a promoter, he is a celebrity figure," Pakaki said on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports" to correspondent Luke Russert. "You can't worry about what others do. You just focus on your ideas and your record and your vision and that's what I intend to do."
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Pataki acknowledged public comments from people happy that Trump, a candidate for the GOP nomination like himself, has "hit a nerve" on the issue.
"My answer to that is that it is important that we discuss border security and controlling the border, but to demonize people like he did with the Mexicans who are here and to go and say that the Mexican government is intentionally sending people here doesn't make sense, Pataki said.
On Monday, the former governor continued his call for Republicans to stand up against Trump's comments, saying that he "would hope that every one of the Republicans seeking a nomination would stand up and see that demonizing Mexicans is wrong."
He pointed out that he has four immigrant grandparents who were demonized during their era, and "it's simply wrong."
"We want immigration that's legal," Pataki said. "We want to control our border. We have to respect those that have come here and obey the law and are working and contributing every day across this country."
Also on Monday's show, Pataki commented on the latest person to enter the GOP race, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
"I think he has been a successful governor," said Pataki. "He got re-elected in Wisconsin which isn't an easy task. But I think there are a lot of governors out there and it's going to be not just about your record."
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Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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