Doyle and Green and the National Guard

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and candidate Mark Green have a difference of opinion on using the National Guard to help secure the border.

Doyle doesn't like the idea. He was pretty snippy about it.

With the president announcing National Guard patrols in a nationally televised speech Monday, Doyle said he was unsure whether the nation's chief executive has that authority.

Answering reporters' questions after a public appearance in Waukesha, the governor called it "very questionable" whether Bush unilaterally can order National Guard troops for such domestic duty.

...Later in the day, the governor's office issued a statement criticizing Bush for failing to secure the nation's borders sooner, saying that the immigration issue requires more than "stopgap measures."

Noting the strain of deployment on Guard troops and their families, the statement added: "Nevertheless, securing our borders is a critical national priority, and we will look carefully at whatever the president proposes."

In Waukesha, Doyle told reporters that he agreed that tougher border control is needed, but he called it a federal, not state, responsibility.

Asked whether he would refuse a request from Bush to mobilize Wisconsin Guard members, Doyle said he was undecided. "I would be very concerned if that request came," he said.

Doyle went overboard by attacking the President's "unilateral" move. He really exposed his liberal stripes.

Mark Green supports Bush's proposal.

U.S. Rep. Mark Green, a Republican from Green Bay who is challenging Doyle for the governorship, said: "For too long we've ignored the problem of border security, allowing millions of immigrants to enter our country illegally, and exposing Americans to the grave threat of terrorism. To address this serious problem, I have long called for tough action to secure our borders, including the deployment of troops."

In sum, Doyle seems uncooperative and unwilling to assist in securing our borders.

Green, on the other hand, understands the danger of porous borders and wants to take serious steps to address it.

Doyle loses this round.