Rocky report on Republican criticism of Democratic candidate's support for “matricula consular” cards omitted Beauprez's vote in favor of the same cards

In an article about an ad criticizing Democratic Colorado House of Representatives candidate Joe Rice for supporting 'matricula consular' cards, the Rocky Mountain News neglected to mention Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez voted in Congress against restricting banks from accepting those very cards as identification.

In an October 24 article about a Republican-backed campaign ad critical of Colorado House of Representatives District 38 candidate Joe Rice (D-Littleton) and his support of a measure allowing the use of “matricula consular” identification cards while serving as mayor of Glendale, the Rocky Mountain News failed to note Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez's past vote against restricting banks' acceptance of those same matricula consular cards. The News article, by reporter Fernando Quintero, quoted Alan Philp -- executive director of the Republican-backed Trailhead Group that is “affiliated with the sponsors” of the anti-Rice campaign -- as saying, “I think it's fair to point out that Mr. Rice's record made it easier for illegal immigrants to stay in our community.”

But the News failed to point out that while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Beauprez voted in 2004 against restricting the use of matricula consular identification cards at U.S. banks. The News article further failed to note that Heritage Bank, in which Beauprez and his wife still have a controlling interest, continues to accept the matricula consular card as a form of identification for accounts and loans. The News reported October 6 that Albuquerque-based First State Bancorporation agreed to purchase Heritage Bank but that “the transaction is not expected to close until 2007.”

Trailhead -- which was founded by Gov. Bill Owens (R), former Republican Senate candidate Pete Coors, and former Colorado Republican Party chairman Bruce Benson -- has released several ads criticizing Beauprez's Democratic opponent, Bill Ritter.

The Denver Post reported in an August 16 article that “matricula consular card[s]” are “issued by the Mexican government to its citizens living in the United States.” As the News reported in its October 24 article, “The use of matricula consular cards has been controversial in Colorado. In 2003, the Colorado legislature passed a law forbidding state and local governments from accepting the cards as identification."

The October 24 News article reported that “State House candidate Joe Rice on Monday blasted ads criticizing him as 'soft on illegal aliens' for recognizing Mexican government-issued ID cards when he was mayor of Glendale.” The same News article then reported Trailhead director Philp's defense of the anti-Rice ads. According the News:

Alan Philp, executive director of the Trailhead Group, a GOP political organization affiliated with the sponsors of the anti-Rice campaign, said the ads were designed simply to point out Rice's record.

“We have to run a race based on his record, pointing out what's important and of interest to voters,” said Philp. “I think it's fair to point out that Mr. Rice's record made it easier for illegal immigrants to stay in our community.”

The October 24 News article also quoted Rice's opponent, Republican candidate Matt Dunn, who stated the matricula consular cards help “blur the line between legal and illegal” immigrants.

But the News, despite its previous reporting on the matter, failed to mention that in Congress, Beauprez voted in 2004 against restricting the use of the matricula consular identification card at U.S. banks.

In an August 16 article, the News reported, “A vote by U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez to allow banks to accept an ID card the Mexican government gives to illegal immigrants has raised the issue of whether Beauprez faced a conflict of interest and voted to protect his own bank.” The same article further reported that:

In 2004, Beauprez broke ranks with the other Republicans in Colorado's congressional delegation and voted in favor of an amendment that allowed banks to accept the matricula consular cards from their customers. Heritage Bank, like many others, accepts the IDs from Mexican citizens who want to open an account or take out a loan.

The August 16 News article also reported that Beauprez campaign manager John Marshall “said Heritage began accepting the Mexican IDs after Beauprez left the bank.” The article added that Beauprez's “wife, Claudia, however, still serves on the bank's board.”

Similarly, the August 16 Denver Post article stated, “On the campaign trail, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez says the state must do more to crack down on illegal immigration. But the bank in which he holds a controlling interest allows customers to do business with identification cards not recognized by the state.” The same Post article also reported that Beauprez's bank “allows customers to open deposit accounts and apply for loans using a matricula consular card, which is issued by the Mexican government to its citizens living in the United States.”

Colorado Media Matters previously noted that Beauprez is the founder and former CEO and chairman of Heritage Bank. As The Denver Post reported April 5, “The Beauprezes own 23 percent of [Heritage] bank, a controlling interest worth at least $3 million.”

From the October 24 Rocky Mountain News article by Fernando Quintero, “Rice rips ads saying he's 'soft' on illegals”:

State House candidate Joe Rice on Monday blasted ads criticizing him as “soft on illegal aliens” for recognizing Mexican government-issued ID cards when he was mayor of Glendale.

“Inflammatory hype,” the Littleton Democrat called the TV ad and mailers.

The ads attack Rice for supporting a measure that allowed Glendale to recognize matricula consular identification cards, which critics say give illegal immigrants a valid form of ID.

The ads quote an FBI official who claimed that the ability of foreign nationals to use these “easily forged cards” provides opportunities for terrorists to move freely within the country.

[...]

But [Rice's] opponent for the District 38 seat, Matt Dunn, a Greenwood Village Republican, countered that the cards help “blur the line between legal and illegal” immigrants.

He added that although only a small number of terrorists would likely use the Mexican identification cards, “you can't rule it out,” he said.

Alan Philp, executive director of the Trailhead Group, a GOP political organization affiliated with the sponsors of the anti-Rice campaign, said the ads were designed simply to point out Rice's record.

“We have to run a race based on his record, pointing out what's important and of interest to voters,” said Philp. “I think it's fair to point out that Mr. Rice's record made it easier for illegal immigrants to stay in our community.”

Rice said his decision to accept the Mexican IDs was an informed one endorsed by local law enforcement officials and the cities of Colorado Springs, Denver and Aurora.

[...]

The use of matricula consular cards has been controversial in Colorado. In 2003, the Colorado legislature passed a law forbidding state and local governments from accepting the cards as identification.