AL Gubernatorial Candidate Tim James Calls English-Only Ad ‘Just Common Sense’

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by Frances Martel | 9:12 pm, April 29th, 2010

» 26 comments

Tim James, the Alabama gubernatorial candidate turned America’s newest internet celebrity thanks to an explosive campaign ad declaring “this is Alabama; we speak English” made his primetime cable news debut on tonight’s O’Reilly Factor. Facing off against a combative Juan Williams, James insisted his ad had nothing to do with immigration and everything to do with “common sense.”

James, who– as Williams reminded him ad nauseum– is not doing so well in the polls, pointed out that his ad was filmed two months ago, only being released at the same time as the passage of the Arizona immigration law by accident. He defined his “brand” as “common sense,” and declared it a “roadway safety issue” rather than an immigration one. He also expressed support for all kinds of immigrants– from Ireland, Russia, Germany, etc. Williams defined his ad as “pandering” to xenophobia and possibly detrimental to the Alabama economy. James responded, in his colorful way, that Williams’ take was “the biggest argument I’ve never heard more nonsense in my life.”

James’ rise to the top of the news cycle is the product of a perfect media storm, and a testament to the times in which we live. His fame is exclusively due to a concerning (or funny, to the glass-half-full type of person) English-only advertisement that, merely months before, would have fallen under the radar. But thanks to its ability to perfectly capture the post-health care reform zeitgeist, it caught the eye of the satirists at Wonkette, who launched it into the mainstream media with Drudge-like speed.

alabama, Arizona, Arizona immigration bill, english-only, fox news, illegal immigration, Juan Williams, O'Reilly Factor, Tim James

NORBIT

Of course, it’s common sense…One Language Unites a people, while a multi-linguistic society divides them! – any gradeschool kid knows that!!

Consider this, the same people that are screaming (what else) Racism! – They’re the same MORONS that want to boycott Arizona Tea…not realizing,the IDIOTS, that Arizona Tea is made and headqurtered in NY!!!

That’s the abject ignorance on the Left!
You don’t capitulate to them…..You Defeat Them!!!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Larry-Sheldon/1817479203 Larry Sheldon

I’ll be interested in seeing how he is going to get 5 million people to speak English.
Olby Sucks

USA! USA! USA!
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Liberals always try to make common sense into an EXTREME position. Enforcing the law is an EXTREME position. Fighting BACK against terrorists is an EXTREME postion. Being against higher taxes is an EXTREME postion. Reduce government spending is an EXTREME position. Drilling for oil is an EXTREME position.
timzank

Good for him, i hope he wins!
tws258

Larry Sheldon says:

You now have to teach ESL part time to pay back your government college loan .
qawsed

How is denying non-english speakers from taking a drivers test going to help safety? I wasn’t aware safe driving required a strong grasp on the english language.
Averreauxii

Alabamans speak English?
Latin2

“How is denying non-english speakers from taking a drivers test going to help safety? I wasn’t aware safe driving required a strong grasp on the english language.”

uh…you do know that the majority of the traffic signs, alerts, and emergency road signs ARE IN ENGLISH?
Latin2

^^^…meaning it would be DANGEROUS for people to drive around for years not knowing what the signs mean or say.
ImNotBlue

qawsed says:
April 29, 2010 at 11:09 pm

How is denying non-english speakers from taking a drivers test going to help safety? I wasn’t aware safe driving required a strong grasp on the english language.

No? What language are the signs written in?
Nacho

The majority of traffic signs are symbols and the ones with writing are generally in universal shapes used all over north america.
Big_F-ing_Deal

More racist bullsh*t from right wing scum..
tjl

white trash!! I love it!!
m

What a complete idiot. So if you’re an educated European who wants to move to Alabama who’s English isn’t perfect, you can’t get a drivers license?

You know what’s common sense? Accessibility.

Tim James: managed to screw people and the clock back at the same time.
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Who said anything about “perfect” English? m is just another libtard that changes what everybody really said.
When did you stop beating your wife?
NORBIT

To reiterate:
Consider this, the same people that are screaming (what else) Racism! are the same MORONS that want to boycott Arizona Tea…not realizing, the IDIOTS, that Arizona Tea is made and headquartered in NY!!!

That’s the abject ignorance we’re dealing with on the Left!

You don’t capitulate to them…..You make sure to vote in November, and Defeat Them!!!
Glenn.Bovine.Merrill

Let me guess.

Tim James: Ignorant, bigoted, racist Republican.

That explains a lot.

He claims to understand English but doesn’t understand the written driving license TEST is NOT an English proficiency test, but a test of rules on the road.

Got it, you mucking forons? Or do I have to spell it correctly for you to understand it?
jackypond

I like you article you put very informative detail in it.fight against terrorist is an extreme position. Being against the tax hike is an extreme position.Nice one.
memory card reader
timzank

I’m tellin ya BFD etal, you are wearing the racism thing so thin it’s becoming a joke to even liberals. You guys always over do it and over reach.

Just like a loudmouthed kid in school, eventually everybody quits taking you seriously, which is the point you guys have reached here on mediaite, you just aren’t taken seriously.
tjl

Keep telling yourself that, Timmy
MichelleF

In case any of you are confused as to Obama’s position on immigration:

http://www.breitbart.tv/flashback-obama-argues-for-rule-of-law-in-deporting-illegals-without-proper-papers/
writer

“More racist bullshit…”

BFD, are you saying it doesn’t make common sense to have a common language? If someone had to call 911, and had to wait a half hour for an interpreter, that makes sense to you? A common language wouldn’t make things easier?
ImNotBlue

Nacho says:
April 29, 2010 at 11:55 pm

The majority of traffic signs are symbols and the ones with writing are generally in universal shapes used all over north america.

SOME are… but not all are. Parking, bridges, tolls, detours, etc. are not. Not to mention the computerized signs which show no pictures.

In short… false.

m says:
April 30, 2010 at 3:47 am

What a complete idiot. So if you’re an educated European who wants to move to Alabama who’s English isn’t perfect, you can’t get a drivers license?

There’s a difference between imperfect English, and no English… isn’t there?
stevor

In California the “official language” is “English”. too bad our Feds are too lame and to “politically correct” (not wanting to “offend anybody” in true Democrat fashion) to do the same.

Though we did have some strange form of English (Ebonics) in Oakland, California, black neighborhoods some years ago, even before Jerry Brown was there.
894366095

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/al-gubernatorial-candidate-tim-james-on-his-english-only-ad-its-just-common-sense/