Posted on 05/17/2006 5:21:14 PM PDT by AZRepublican
If Republican leaders continue down the path of being overly concerned with alienating Hispanic voters they will only bring on greater damage upon themselves. It takes no expansive imagination to understand why Democrats want to continue being the welcoming party for anyone who can arrive in the country, legally or otherwise. You can bet the GOP's illegal immigration appeasement mentality is behind Republican's crumbling support numbers along with other issues such as fiscal conservatism.
At this point in time there is a narrow window of opportunity for the GOP to turn the tables and royally put the Democrats between a rock and a hard spot and keep them there for years to come. If the GOP wavers then Democrats are going to have a field day with registering millions of new voters over the next ten years.
The key is to get tough and deny Democrats the opportunity of fast-tracking some 20 million (12 million is an old conservative figure) illegal immigrants or, any fraction thereof, towards citizenship. Democrats are in a real bind right now with black voters. Who would have ever dreamed just two years ago blacks would be picketing Maxine Waters' offices and accusing her and other black leaders of "selling out" to the immigrants?
They are of course absolutely correct -- they are being sold out.
The reason is simple: Minority interests have always been Democrats bread-and-butter platform, but the black population has been declining while Hispanic numbers are skyrocketing. It doesn't take an Einstein to determine why Democrats would suddenly have only eyes and passion for Hispanic interests. Black's are not stupid, and know what the political score is, just as many due-paying union members are realizing.
Immigration is the foremost important issue because it one of those things that can be constantly felt by voters in everyday life in major population centers. More traffic, gangs, crime, taxes, school burdens, silly political correctness games, etc., means conditions are only going to worsen with the rise of immigrants which will translate into lower polling support for anything immigration. Right now immigration polling is in a flux and all over the board depending how the questions are put, and put to whom (registered voters take a more hard-line view on immigration then the general public at large.)
For those who take comfort in polls that can be spinned to demonstrate support for illegal aliens gaining citizenship will pay a high price for their premature conclusion later.
The GOP has nothing to gain from any kind of pro-immigration stand – businesses do not cast votes in the millions on Election Day.
It was the Republican Party beginning in 1866 who lead the charge for rights and freedom for blacks against a wall of resistance by Democrats. Even in 1965 there was still strong Democrat resistance to black civil rights. Blacks still vote overwhelming for Democrats.
Bush has thrown away some $500 billion for a prescription drug benefit program hoping to gain a windfall from the senior poor ranks of the Democratic Party. This didn't win the GOP any new support.
Bush only gained some 36 percent of the Hispanic vote in 2000, and anywhere from 40-45 percent in 2004, depending on whose numbers you accept. Of course Bush's opponent was Sen. Kerry which from a Hispanic point of view did not have a very attractive character to compel them to vote for him.
The reality is 53 percent of Hispanics support the tough House bill and 80% plus think immigration is a serious problem. This means Republicans isn't going to lose anything they never had before with the Hispanic vote by taking a tough stand on illegal immigration. Democrats on the other hand, have backed themselves into a corner by pretty much supporting anything illegal immigration -- putting them at odds with black voters who historically have always paid a price from influences of immigration (Irish immigrants quickly set blacks back upon their arrival, taking their good paying dock jobs and forcing many to flee south.)
Best advice for Republicans is don't ride the wrong side of the immigration issue -- it can look sweet and attempting at this point in time -- but this country really is becoming less sympathetic to illegal immigration and will only continue to be more so with each passing month. Any hint of being pro-illegal immigrant or supportive of anything that has a hint of amnesty is going to become a kiss-of-death for anyone down the road.
Let the influx eat away at the Democratic Party base, capture or turn away 5 percent or more of the DNC's support base in upcoming elections. Basically let Democrats self-destruct on their own over time in important regions of the country without aiding them in gaining amnesty for millions who have no right to cast votes now or be in the country in the first place.
The GOP needs to decide if they want to continue alienating their own base of support as well as others outside of the GOP, or do they want to get on right side, get tough and let Democrats do all the alienating? There is nothing complicated or difficult about this decision.
bump
So let's get on with it and vote for and pass HR4437 secure the borders, no amnesty, deport the invaders, take away all welfare benefits, take away the anchorbaby benefits like SSI.
GET TOUGH!!
GOP has got to realize Vicente is not "our friend", and neither is Dick Morris.
The most modest estimates of the impact of GWB's amnesty policy would add a net 18 million new Democrats to the voter rolls. The most extreme estimates would add a net 120 million new Democrats. I don't know what's possessed GWB, but the sycophants who are clamoring for the GOP to follow him on this are marching the GOP into complete disaster.
ping
It sure isn't rocket science.
The Democrat Party destroyed itself by pandering to special interests. Pro-abortionist, pro-racial-quotas, pro-trial-lawyer.
Unfortunately, our Republican leaders have decided to destroy our party to out-pander the Democrats.
Lets crack down on illegals because its THE RIGHT THING TO DO, rather than care about some popularity contest among various demographics.
You would think it was rocket science if you listen to the President and most senate Republicans.
GWB is concerned about his legacy. Building democracy in the Middle East and establishing ground breaking relations with Mexico. GWB is more interested in pleasing Vincente Fox than his fellow House Republicans.
I think immigration is important, but I hope it doesn't overshadow the WoT, taxes, moral values and introducing private sector/market mechanisms into what were heretofore socialist programs....eg. Social Security/Medicare.
Republican and Democrat citizens want tough immigration laws. I don't think it's one- sided. The Repub could even gain democratic votes if they dared to come out swinging on the issue.
You are absolutely correct...cracking down on ILLEGAL immigrants is the right thing to do.
If I were a LEGAL immigrant or a lawyer, I would file a class action lawsuit for having to wait such a long time to come to the USA, plus ask for reimbursement for the money spent to come legally, then ask for HUGE compensation for all th pain & suffering.
Makes as much sense as the lame brained lawsuit threat from Mexico today.
bump
Good read, thanks for posting.
You are absolutely correct...cracking down on ILLEGAL immigrants is the right thing to do.
If I were a LEGAL immigrant or a lawyer, I would file a class action lawsuit for having to wait such a long time to come to the USA, plus ask for reimbursement for the money spent to come legally, then ask for HUGE compensation for all th pain & suffering.
Makes as much sense as the lame brained lawsuit threat from Mexico today.
Bush and McCain have already painted themselves into a corner. They are on the record saying if you are opposed to Bush' non-amnesty amnesty proposal, you are insensitive and not compassionate.
If that's their criteria, color me insensitive and not compassionate.
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