FAIR Got Air, But the Candidates Don't Care

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The second debate between the major party U.S. presidential candidates didn't address immigration policy. That disappointed the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which has been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In September, FAIR held its third annual "Hold Their Feet to the Fire" event, where it brings "dozens of talk radio hosts from around the country" to Washington DC, to do broadcasts on immigration issues, while FAIR supporters lobby members of Congress. This year's radio hosts included Armstrong Williams, while CNN's Lou Dobbs broadcast from the event. "We had talk hosts broadcasting for four hours each day -- 336 hours of radio time across virtually the entire country," said FAIR's Bob Dane. The Republican PR firm Shirley & Bannister Public Affairs booked the radio guests, including members of Congress, authors and "other high-profile figures of the immigration movement." Although the presidential "candidates are not talking about" immigration and border security, complained Dane, "this event is a loud reminder that we aren't and will not be silent."