Garcia challenges Diaz-Balart on Haiti -- Diaz-Balart beats him to punch

Democratic congressional challenger Joe Garcia is siding with Kendrick Meek and calling for the Bush administration to grant Haitians living in the U.S. "Temporary Protected Status" -- allowing them to avoid deportation while the island recovers from a string of hurricanes.

"Haitians on the island are suffering and living in extraordinary conditions as a direct result of the fatal hurricanes which have ravaged the Caribbean," Garcia said. "It would be unjust and inhumane to knowingly send people back to a Haiti under these circumstances because those in Washington cannot see beyond their own political agendas."

He's also asking his opponent, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, to join the call: "This is a dire situation that requires real action from Washington and I call on Mario Diaz-Balart and the Bush Administration to join me in this cause."

Diaz-Balart already was part of the cause -- and his office says its not the first time he's called for temporary protected status for Haiti. He and brother, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on Sept. 7 sent a letter to President Bush asking for TPS.

"Clearly the destruction caused by these four storms in Haiti is one that does not allow the safe return of Haitian nationals to their country and as such we strongly believe the Administration should provide TPS to the Haitian nationals currently in the United States," they wrote.

Comments

[Cuban Truth]

What now, Joe? Apparently your campaign is taking a cue from Raul and Fidel playbook by choosing to turn the tragedy in Haiti into a political football! Shame on you!

[Fox]

" I call on Mario Diaz-Balart and the Bush Administration to join me in this cause."

Mr. Garcia don't let your political ambitions forget that he is: Mario to us and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart to you. And unlike you he has been working for all of us.

Try to show proper respect to the office you wish to seek. Remember that he was elected by a majority of our voters.