GOP Finds Hot Button in Illegal Immigration

Washington Post ^ | 23 October 2007 | By Jonathan Weisman

[shrinkermd]

On Tuesday, Ogonowski still fell short, but Tsongas's 51 to 45 percent victory was a shocker in a district where both John F. Kerry and Al Gore took 57 percent of the vote, and where liberal Democratic Rep. Martin T. Meehan served comfortably for eight terms. The underwhelming victory of the wife of deceased former senator Paul Tsongas has rekindled Democratic concerns about an immigration issue they had hoped had been put to rest.

"This issue has real implications for the country. It captures all the American people's anger and frustration not only with immigration, but with the economy," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and an architect of the Democratic congressional victories of 2006. "It's self-evident. This is a big problem."

Republicans, sensing a major vulnerability, have been hammering Democrats, forcing Congress to face the question of illegal immigration on every bill they can find, from agriculture spending and housing assistance to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

House Democrats are so concerned that they have resumed talks on a new legislative push, even though the collapse of an immigration deal in the Senate this spring has left virtually no chance that a final bill can be passed in this Congress.

But even in the early stages of this renewed effort, negotiations have only underscored the party's problems. Some Democratic leaders want what they call a "mini bill," emphasizing border control, penalties on firms that employ illegal immigrants and stronger efforts to deny illegal immigrants government benefits. But Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.), the point man on the bill, said he will never accept a measure that does not include a pathway to citizenship for the 12 million undocumented workers in the country.

[shrinkermd]

Illegal immigration IMHO has cost President Bush dearly; his approval rating would be over 50% if he had enforced border security. Likewise, Senator McCain's campaign tanked when he came out for what was called "immigration reform" when it was actually an amnesty bill.

This is a hot wire issue for conservatives and on the fencers; it will not go away. Republicans ignore this at their own peril.

[SMARTY]

“It captures all the American people’s anger and frustration not only with immigration, but with the economy,”

If THAT’S what they want to ‘capture’ all they have to do is come right here and read some of this stuff!

[Guenevere]

bttt

[taxcontrol]

GOP ... are you listening?

Illegal immigration is the win/lose issue of this election. What side will the GOP be on?

[longtermmemmory]

In related news:

GOP discovers day follows night.

they don’t call it the stupid party for nothing...

[Sybeck1]

Rudy wants to give them biometric ID cards. There, problem solved. /sarc of course!

[Zhang Fei]

Those concerns are not everywhere. But they are glaring in some of the white, working-class districts in Kansas, Indiana, North Carolina and New Hampshire that gave the Democrats control of the House last year. And they were on clear display in Lowell, Mass.

That's obviously wrong. When non-Jewish whites vote 9 to 1 for the GOP, then we'll know that they, like blacks (9:1 for the Dems) and Jews (8:2 for the Dems) are fired up.

[MrB]

Hot button?

It’s not like it was any secret or anything?

“You mean that big, shiny, flashing, red, 3 foot diameter button right here in front of my face?”

[rrrod]

Correcto!

It will/could be the turning issue in 08. State local and Fed elections could be won on this single issue...just point out the various realities. Are ya listening GOP/RNC?

[Sybeck1]

Are Hillary and the Dems even being asked about it? They seem to have been towing the Comprehensive plan line months ago.

[Liz]

Illegal immigration has cost President Bush dearly; his approval rating would be over 50% if he had enforced border security. Senator McCain's campaign tanked when he came out for what was called "immigration reform"

PLUS----amnesty-pusher Mel Martinez was dumped from the RNC.

And in a non-political event----Hershey's Chocolate moved to Mexico and its sales dropped through the floor.

Remember.....the Ford Foundation backed the invasion, helped invaders plot strategies (formation of legal groups suing everything in sight)-----and Ford helped the parasites get on the US govt gravy train.

Remember not to buy Ford cars.

[bcsco]

This is a ping list promoting Immigration Enforcement and Congressional Reform.
If you wish to be added or removed from this ping list, please contact me.

Prayers for the folks in Southern California. They sure need them...

Vote on Stand-Alone DREAM Act Amnesty Bill This Week?

Chertoff Waives Laws for Border Fence

Immigration Video Game Stirs Up Controversy (Evade Deportation: The Video Game)

City Immigrants Are Wary of Governor's Plan on IDs

Federal judge dismisses challenge to HB 1804 (OK's illegal immigrant law)

The Monroe Doctrine (Monroe County, NY plan to refuse illegal aliens driver licenses)

Senate GOP strikes back at Spitzer's illegal immigrant plan

Spanish business workshop planned (in GA)

No-match Social Security rule placed on hold

36 of 64 crossing deaths linked to the river[Rio Bravo/Grande, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico]

Town tightens border using low-tech ways

Bush Seeking Aid for Mexico In Drug Fight

Dems Hang Onto DREAM Act (Dingy Harry Wants 'Nother Shamnesty Humiliation Alert)

[Tennessee Nana]

Thanks for the PING

Will the GOP leadership stop shooting thenselves and us in the foot?

I hope they see the light waaaaaaaaaaaaaay before the primary...

Otherwise we could end up with the wrong candidate next Nov.....

Hillary is getting all soft fluffy questions now...but at the debates between her and the GOP nominee the questions with be the same ones.. She will have to kiss up to her illegal alien lovin base...

If our guy comes out strong and believable for America and REAL immigration and against illegal entry into our country, he’ll be a shoo in with the voters in EVERY state...

[Tennessee Nana]

And if he is strong on national security, the military and the war on terror in Iraq and elsewhere....

[cinives]

It’s obviously also a hotwire issue with Dems too.

Republican candidates need to hammer this into the ground against their liberal opponents.

[Goodness]

Countdown to The Wall Street Journal’s editorializing that Ogonowski’s loss is “yet another sign that illegal immigration is a dead-end campaign issue.” 5, 4, 3. 2.....

[dforest]

Exactly. This issue is the deal decider for me. These candidates, particlarly the top tier, think they can get the votes by ignoring it.

They better wake up. If they want to peel off Dem votes, this is the issue to do it.

Voters are looking for the person who will stand up for US citizens.

So far, I hear crickets in the top tier.

[expatpat]

Actually, biometric cards might be a very good thing. It would be advantageous if we knew exactly who was in this country illegally, and where we can find them, before we act. No-one knows right now.

[melancholy]

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.), the point man on the bill, said he will never accept a measure that does not include a pathway to citizenship for the 12 million undocumented workers in the country.

Screw you, Gutierrez! The amnesty for your "undocumented workers/Americans?" will not pass.

Gutierrez, you just proved that your loyalty to a foreign country is well "documented".

Dumbos like Gutierrez are turning the Land of Lincoln into the land of a fifth world country.

[Haddit]

I like the idea of Biometric cards. We can put up shop on the border with the exit door into Mexico.