Republicans warn Bush on immigration policy

Washington Times ^ | 1/28/04 | Valerie Richardson

[kattracks]

DENVER - Twenty-three congressmen warned President Bush in a letter yesterday that he risks an election-year backlash from Republican voters if he continues to press his guest-worker proposal.

The Republican lawmakers said their congressional offices have received a flood of angry letters, e-mails and phone calls from Republican constituents vowing that they will refuse to vote for the president if his program is approved.

[LaurieB]

Isn't grid lock all we've seen for about 12 years now? The question is - how do we as voters stop it?

[Hoverbug]

Bush is simply following up on an issue he has advocated ever since he began his political career. These guys all knew that and now wait until an election year to “warn” him. It won’t work.

So, if I vote for him in 04 because of his stance on the WOT, then in 05 he pushes through the amnesty program and I complain, are you going to say the same thing? Are you going to tell me that he advocated it sice he began in politics, I voted for him, and, hey, what did I expect?

If so, that's the best endorsement yet not to vote for him.

Hb

[13foxtrot]

OK you tell me. A moderate republican, Bush, eeked out a 523 vote win in Florida over the most socialist democrat of our time. This country is split right down the middle politically and every top issue the voters say is important is big government spending and involvement. What red meat conservative is there that is going to win in that environment?

1) Clinton was one of the most "un-liberal" democrats. He pissed off many on left with the Domestic Terrorism Act, his backtracking on the gay issues, the Somalia adventure etc.

2) I believe Bush could win if he would stand on his principles. The actions by the Rove Republicans just alienate conservatives and make Bush look like a political oppurtunist.

The whole "co-opting" of issues was Clinton's bag. Bush did not need to do that...he could win by being strong and honest.

[11B3]

In an ideal America, the politicians at all levels of government would strive to do what is best for the nation irregardless of party affiliation.

If the President would lead by example on this issue as he has on so many others, there would be no questions about his conservatism; as the conservative point of view is the one which is true to form with the Founders original Republic. (Although it used to be that the liberals were the ones who stood up for personal liberty, rather than the authoritarians they are today. By the old standard, most of us in here would be called liberals.)

The votes will follow whoever it is that does what is right for the US. Those on the left can lie and deceive all they want, but in the end even the dumbest voters begin to see through their scam if there is an honest American alternative. The president is in danger because he is blurring the line between the parties too well. The response to this proposal show that the voting public won't stand for another amnesty, and it is a terrible waste of political clout that was driven by expediency. After the previous 8 years of expediency, the voters recognize it very quickly now.

When were the president's rating numbers the highest? Back when he was telling the UN that they were irrelevant, and that the US was a sovereign nation that would defend its' interests. His numbers have been the lowest when he is kissing the UNs and other nations butts - especially Mexico, Canada, and France. Rove is politically out of touch and should not be the one giving the president advice any longer, IMHO.

[calawah98]

No, he has had the corporation of the republicans in the house and senate, to pass the bills he wants. What really gets me, they will pass something knowing it is wrong, just to go along with the president. Do you think this is right?

[Texasforever]

believe Bush could win if he would stand on his principles

Everything he has done has been on his "principles". Bush will win on those qualities NOT on pandering to 20% of a "base' that has been non-existent since 1992.

[Texasforever]

Don't vote for him. It really is that simple.

[calawah98]

You have so soon forgotten, if that 20% had not voted for him before, he would still be in Crawford Texas, and Gore would have been president

[LaurieB]

No, I absolutely do not think that is right, but when has it ever been any other way?

[garandgal]

OK you tell me. A moderate republican, Bush, eeked out a 523 vote win in Florida over the most socialist democrat of our time. This country is split right down the middle politically and every top issue the voters say is important is big government spending and involvement.

Well, first of all, instead of wasting time and political capital on the divisive issue of illegals, he could have attempted to tackle the health care issue.

That is generally at the top of your oft-mentioned "issues" lists. We have a Republican Senate, a Republican House, and a Republican President...and they propose virtually nothing on this issue. You realize that the debacle of the "HMO" was a Democrat "solution" from a while back, don't you? If we don't come up with a privatized solution while we have the chance, we WILL have a socialized system eventually..as people will not continue to pay a confiscatory portion of their incomes on health insurance premiums.

The people of this country want another solution besides government on this issue, as they have made clear. His time would have been much better spent taking the issue out of the Democrat's playbook for this election...with a very detailed plan.

Incidently, a good portion of the rising cost of health costs is directly due to uninsured illegals.

Oh, and by the way, I volunteered close to 100 hours of my time to get this President elected, as well as my money. So please cut the "third-party" crap.

[Hoverbug]

If it's that simple, why all the argument here on FR?

Hb

[LaurieB]

The times Bush has had the highest approval rating is when he has communicated with the American people - something like the communication we received about 911. I have expected a whole lot more communication from him then we've gotten lately. Sometimes I think it's an attempt to not stoop to the level of those who are critical (and flat out bad-mouth him).

[Texasforever]

If it's that simple, why all the argument here on FR?

because a lot of insecure folks want to be begged to vote for Bush. I don't play that game. If you don't like Bush don't vote for him.

[13foxtrot]

Everything he has done has been on his "principles". Bush will win on those qualities

How can the biggest Farm Subsidy in the history of the world, excepting for the moment the USSR, be reconciled with one of the largest tax cuts (remember the farm bill was pre- 9/11)?

How can a strong domestic security policy, that accepts the possibility of limiting personal liberties and privacy, be reconciled with an open borders policy (don't forget the order that allows Mexican semi-trucks on US highways)?

This is unprincipled leadership.

[Texasforever]

I rest my case. Big Government is the last thing voters care about.

[Hoverbug]

Well, are you sure it's not people who don't want Bush to lose because of his fiscal and immigration and CFR policies and are trying their best to get him to wake up?

You sound like the woman who told Solomon, "Sure, cut the kid in half. That's fine with me!"

Hb

[calawah98]

Back when I first voted, 1950, when the democrats were for the working class, and republicans were for the rich.

After the environmentalists took over the democratic party, the republicans were more for property rights, and every thing the environmentalists wanted to destroy.

That is when a lot left the Democrat party and voted republican, and have done so ever since.

And I never heard Bush say he was for erasing the borders of the United States when he was campaigning.
On his fathers 75th birthday, he stated " I believe I will live long enough to see the globalization of the Americas" which is what this pandering to Mexico is all about.

[LaurieB]

Incidently, a good portion of the rising cost of health costs is directly due to uninsured illegals.


My belief exactly - and uninsured Americans as well.

[Texasforever]

Is domestic farming not in our national interests? There are a hell of a lot of freepers that cheered the Farm Bill. There were a lot of Freepers that cheered the steel tarrif and decidedly un-conservative position. FR is a nominally "conservative" site with large doses of Populist and Libertarian philosophies thrown in. It is no surprise that Bush's policies would be seen as un-conservative to one or more of the 3 factions when all 3 claim the “conservative” label

[LaurieB]

And I never heard Bush say he was for erasing the borders of the United States when he was campaigning.
On his fathers 75th birthday, he stated " I believe I will live long enough to see the globalization of the Americas" which is what this pandering to Mexico is all about.


I don't remember that campaign promise either.


Back when I first voted, 1950, when the democrats were for the working class, and republicans were for the rich.


I do declare that if JFK were running today - he would be mistaken for a republican!