http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... /803020351
March 2, 2008
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
'Devil' headline has Delph steaming
March 2, 2008
Sen. Mike Delph is not getting much respect in the Hispanic press these days.
A banner headline on the front page of the latest issue of El Indy Latino newspaper left little doubt of that: "Entrevista al Senador Mike Delph 'El Diablo,' " it blared. For non-Spanish speakers, that translates into "Interview with Senator Mike Delph 'The Devil.' "
Copies of the paper are distributed free in Hispanic businesses primarily on the city's Westside.
The Carmel Republican knew sponsoring the illegal immigration bill would not win him many friends in the Hispanic community, but being called the devil is a little harsh, he said.
On Friday, Delph issued a statement asking local Hispanic leaders to denounce the weekly newspaper for its headline.
"I was horrified," he said. "At first, the Hispanic community was leveling charges of racism against me, but now they are referring to me as the devil. It is beneath the dignity of public debate."
Delph said he was interviewed by the paper's editor, Francisco Toral, on Feb. 6 at the Statehouse. Although Delph speaks fluent Spanish, the newspaper had local interpreter Ingrid Garcia sit in on the conversation.
Contacted at the paper, Toral referred us to Garcia, who was surprised to learn about the headline.
"Oh, you gotta be kidding me," said Garcia, who had seen only an online version of the story, where the headline had been rewritten.
"When we spoke with Senator Delph, he mentioned to us that 'el diablo' is what people are calling him, but then went on to explain why he is not the devil."
Garcia said the headline might have worked if the article had included Delph referring to himself as "el diablo," along with his other comments. But apparently that part of the article was edited out.
"Mistakes can happen and, unfortunately, this was a big one," said Garcia. "It was not our intention at all. I don't consider Delph evil. I actually think some of the things he says make sense."
But, Garcia added, most of the Hispanic readers of the newspaper are likely to agree with the characterization of Delph because they vehemently disagree with his proposed crackdown on employers that hire illegal immigrants.
Delph, who was interviewed by local Hispanic reporters several times last month, said he is not likely to stop doing interviews because of the bad press.
"I've made a point to meet with anybody in the Hispanic community," he said. "I have bent over backwards so I could tell them why I am doing what I am doing."
Immigration and re-election
Legislators have been warned many times this session that a vote against the illegal immigration bill would pave their way to retirement.
Grass-roots supporters of the bill, including IFIRE -- the Indiana Federation for Immigration Reform and Enforcement -- have showed up at hearings and filled the e-mail boxes of every senator and representative.
Their message: Vote now on illegal immigration, or we'll vote you out in the next election.
Um, maybe not.
Rep. Mike Murphy, R-Indianapolis, voted against the bill on Thursday and reminded legislators that such threats have been made before.
In 2006, when the House shot down a bill that would have denied social benefits and tuition support for illegal residents, the supporters of the bill used those negative votes to launch campaigns to unseat those who voted against the bill.
"We saw it in 2006. Both sides attacked unmercifully, often using similar images of people alleged to be Mexicans, climbing fences," said Murphy. "Representatives Phil Hoy, Terri Austin, Don Lehe, myself and others were beaten up . . . but not beaten.
"Not a single legislator lost their election in 2006 because of immigration."
The legislation, by the by, is now headed to conference committee, where House and Senate lawmakers will hammer out any differences.
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