Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) knocked former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) and his recent comments on immigration while speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual conference.
On Saturday, Palin criticized Bush for saying the future of America's economy depends upon immigrants in part because they "are more fertile" and create more businesses than native-born Americans.
"I say this as someone who’s kind of fertile herself," Palin said.
The AP reported earlier on Bush's comments, made on Friday at the same conference:
Bush, thought to be weighing a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, said that immigrants are particularly important to helping create more taxpayers to fund the safety net for the retiring baby boomer generation.
"Immigrants are more fertile, and they love families," Bush said and added, "Immigrants create far more businesses than native-born Americans over the last 20 years."
Bush's remark that immigrants are more fertile was met with silence by those attending his ballroom speech during the Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual conference. Former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed created the group.
A spokesman said that Bush meant that immigrants, Hispanics in particular, have larger families and more children.
Palin wasn't the only one to disagree with Bush. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) sent a clashing message while speaking at the conservative gathering on Friday.
"We are looking at the legalization of over 30 million illegal aliens," Bachmann said. "This is not an anti-immigrant speech. Do not walk away with that thought at all."
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