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Despite being the former governor of a border state in the throes of an immigration crisis, President George W. Bush has been reluctant to address the issue of illegal immigration, preferring instead to maintain warm ties with Mexican President Vicente Fox.

Back in 2000 Bush credited Fox with the "success of democracy". After six years Bush still thinks Mexico is a democracy?

He really should start reading the newspapers about now.

We are now one of the largest Spanish-speaking nations in the world. We're a major source of Latin music, journalism and culture.

Just go to Miami, or San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago or West New York, New Jersey ... and close your eyes and listen. You could just as easily be in Santo Domingo or Santiago, or San Miguel de Allende.

For years our nation has debated this change -- some have praised it and others have resented it. By nominating me, my party has made a choice to welcome the new America.

As I speak, we are celebrating the success of democracy in Mexico.

It is a tribute to a promising new president -- and a tribute to a visionary out-going president as well.

Later today, I will meet with the president-elect of Mexico, and begin what I hope is a strong and constant friendship. I have a vision for our two countries. The United States is destined to have a "special relationship" with Mexico, as clear and strong as we have had with Canada and Great Britain. Historically, we have had no closer friends and allies. And with Canada, our partner in NATO and NAFTA, we share, not just a border, but a bond of good will. Our ties of history and heritage with Mexico are just as deep.

George Bush from a campaign speech in Miami, August 2000.

You can read the speech here.

Here is an excerpt of a good critique of that speech:

In equating our intimate historic bonds to our mother country and to Canada with our ties to Mexico, W. shows a staggering ignorance of the civilizational facts of life. The reason we are so close to Britain and Canada is that we share with them a common historical culture, language, literature, and legal system, as well as similar standards of behavior, expectations of public officials, and so on. My Bush Epiphany By Lawrence

The United States is destined to have a "special relationship" with Mexico, as clear and strong as we have had with Canada and Great Britain. Historically, we have had no closer friends and allies.

What does Mexico do for us?

(Other than satisfying 15% of our oil needs.)

What I'm hearing from this White House is that if we want to keep our "friends" happy, we must allow unlimited illegal immigration from Mexico, even if it's bankrupting our states, etc., and we must allow an Arab-based company to get its foot in the door of our ports...

Both situations are too high a price to pay for "friends".