LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) The former chairman of the Republican National Committee says that new immigration reform efforts will give his a party a chance to soften its tone on the issue. Ed Gillespie said Tuesday the GOP should present itself as anti-illegal immigration but not anti-immigrant in the debate. Gillespie said he thinks some of the party's harshest voices were the loudest the last time Congress debated immigration reform.
Gillespie, who also served as counselor to former President George W. Bush, said Republicans need to do a better job of reaching out to minorities. Gillespie spoke at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.