Cannon offered help for debate

After hearing that Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, would rather work on his irrigation system than participate in an immigration debate, at least one person is offering to lend the congressman a hand.

John North is apparently disappointed that Cannon, who supports giving illegal immigrants a way to earn legal status, turned down an offer for an Aug. 24 debate with U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., who is opposed to any form of amnesty.

The reason, according to Cannon's Chief-of-staff Joe Hunter: "Congressman Cannon plans to spend the 24th at home working on his irrigation system."

So, in an e-mail to Cannon's office Thursday, North said he works in irrigation systems repair at Salt Lake Community College and would be willing to offer his services for little or no cost — with just one condition, "that you go through with a public debate with Tancredo on immigration reform."

Cannon's spokesman Charles Isom couldn't immediately confirm receipt of the e-mail Thursday, but said while any volunteer offers are appreciated, "the answer is still going to be, 'no.' "

While Isom wasn't aware of any other offers to fix Cannon's sprinklers, Alex Segura of the Utah Minuteman Project contacted the Deseret Morning News to say his organization would be willing to help out. And, Mike Sizer, chairman of Utahns for Immigration Reform and Enforcement, the anti-illegal immigration group that is sponsoring Tancredo's visit to Utah, has reported a couple of calls offering similar help.

Isom noted that Cannon has publicly discussed immigration with Tancredo three times in recent history and both congressmen's positions on the matter are well documented.

"This is an issue that is going to be taken up by the House. This is going to be a big issue. Congressman Cannon is going to be a big player," Isom said. "This is a debate that is going to happen, and when it does, it's going to be on the House floor."

Sizer said the willingness by at least a few people to work on Cannon's sprinkler system for free, re-enforces his position.

"A lot of people really want to see this debate," he said. "They want to have it."

North's work at Salt Lake Community College couldn't be immediately verified Thursday, and he didn't immediately respond to a request for an interview. But his e-mail suggested that Cannon had an ulterior motive in refusing to debate.

"Well I think we know the real reason you won't debate him," North's e-mail said. "It doesn't matter if it won't advance the debate you'll be having on the floor of the House, but it would allow your constituents to know where you stand on the issue of ILLEGAL immigration."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com