Posted on 07/21/2007 2:23:18 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The GOP leadership is waking up to a persistent reality, and it's one that has fundraisers and strategists at the RNC up at night. Conservatives, the core constituency of the Republican Party, are irate. Far from a passing hobbyhorse, the illegal immigration issue has galvanized Republican voters like no single issue in recent memory, and conservatives are refusing to let it go.
The Senate's comprehensive immigration bill, backed by the President and pushed by the GOP establishment, was more than a mere legislative miscalculation, is was the straw that broke the conservatives' back. Moreover, to listen to conservatives, it wasn't merely the legislation itself, but the strategy used by those trying to sell the bill. Conservatives are hopping mad at what they regard as unparalleled arrogance on the part of their Party's own leadership--arrogance that has rank and file Republicans digging in their heels, and vowing to go all the way in their efforts to defeat anyone associated with the bill.
With an election year approaching, the GOP is anxious to patch things up and move on. As in the past, the Republican establishment knows that come what may, when Hillary Clinton steps onto the stage, even conservatives outraged by the comprehensive immigration strategy will come running home. But as they are discovering, moving on may not be as easy as before. "Not this time" say many conservatives, who regard the immigration deal as merely the final insult from a party that has lost its way, and who vow to sit out the 2008 elections rather than compromise on their values.
"Money talks" and many conservatives feel that despite relying overwhelmingly on small money contributions, the Party caters only to big business interests in its policy. As a result, many conservatives are holding back their small contributions, and a grassroots effort to starve the GOP leadership into enforcing the borders has begun.
A favorite tool for angry Republicans is the so called "Bush Peso," that longtime GOP contributors are printing out on their home printers and enclosing in all Party solicitations. It is evidence of a new attitude among many conservatives--give us genuine conservatism, or else.
And slowly but surely, the message is getting through.
The collapse of John McCain's campaign is the most visible sign of conservatives walking away from GOP leaders associated with the comprehensive immigration strategy, but as Senate Republicans gear up for an election year, many are worried about their own reelection prospects.
Conservatives, it seems, are taking names and reminding their Party that they will not allow this issue to die. Rather than contribute to the Party's machinery--the RNC, NRCC, or NRSC--contributors are taking the time to investigate how their Senator voted, or whether their Congressional Representative voiced support for the legislation, and they're contributing accordingly.
Indeed, some analysts have suggested that 2008 could be a banner year for primary challenges to sitting GOP lawmakers. From South Carolina to Nebraska to Alaska, longtime GOP Senators are closely watching the groundswell of support for new conservative leadership.
In the midst of a campaign season in which there is no sitting Republican Vice President, or heir apparent, and an angry base clamoring for government accountability, the stage is set for a conservative revolt...and if you're a pro-amnesty incumbent, beware, your days in office may indeed be numbered.
That’s right, bud. The good ol boys have Lindsey in the crosshairs too! He looks at his job like he’s entitled to it.
If we, as an electorate, refuse to forget, this is going to be an interesting election.
I spend a lot of time in SC (hunting) and I’m here to tell you, people are up in arms over Graham. He has betrayed them. He hitched his wagon to the wrong horse (McCain).
Thank you for the ping.
You’re welcome!
Yep, I do that along with a return address label so they know where it comes from. I'm told though that whoever opens the envelope is only interested in the check and its originator. Everything else, such as the stupid survey goes in the trash. I been enjoying the numerous "final notice" letters from the RNC expressing concern because I haven't sent in my membership renewal for 2007 (or '06, '05, '04.....). Guess it just takes time.
The causes of my disenchantment were McCain, Voinovich, Hagel, Lugar, Chaffee, and Grahamnesty.
Not this time, muchachos!
Where can I get a Bush peso? I'd like to send one to my sorry Senator Arlen Spectacle and then to the RNC.
more for you to read, dear
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I wrote my senator and r.n.c. head Mel Martinez a letter protesting his support for the amnesty deal.
Butthead sent a reply asking for a donation to the r.n.c.
He can kiss my backside and I won’t give a penny to the party til he is gone from its leadership.
As for the many other RINOs, what’s the difference between the g.o.p and the dims?
So very disappointed in this President and the party and I’m a lifelong Republican.
“Vote for Amnesty, lose your cushy job! Vote the bums out, GOP or Democrat!”
Wait a minute man. Let me see if I got this straight. You mean to tell me that the A**hats are FINALLY beginning to understand that what they did may have, perhaps, possibly, had some sort of negative impact on their futures. I am stunned like a mullet.
“I started sending back their silly little manipulative questionaires with CLOSE THE BORDER! scribbled across the page in big black Sharpie.”
I recently received a whining for dollars letter from them. Wrote “**** YOU” across it and sent it back. I would urge everyone to do the same. The real fun is not only will they not get a dime from you butthey are also paying to get the message since it is a prepaid return envelope.
lol well, we can’t all be as diplomatic as you! haha
I’m off, gotta go play paintball for Jesus! ya’ll have a nice day
“As in the past, the Republican establishment knows that come what may, when Hillary Clinton steps onto the stage, even conservatives outraged by the comprehensive immigration strategy will come running home.”
And it had better be for the right danged candidate, not some fear-based choice dictated by the MSM. Duncan Hunter is the ONLY candidate who will effectively secure the border in 6 months. He will use attrition through enforcement to resolve the illegal immigration problem. He will NOT give any illegal aliens “aspirations of citizenship”.
AMNESTY is NEVER the answer.
The sovereignty and security of our country is at stake!
And I will add this....bookmarking this thread....watching to see who changes their tune when the GOP backs their “I oppose BLANKET amnesty” and “we must give them aspirations of citizenship” candidate.
Crist has been elected. He is now in re-election mode and paying debts incurred getting elected.
Crist is a highly polished professional politician - I need say no more :)
That's what they think? We'll see about that. Besides, Hillary isn't going to do as well as they hope.
And as far a McPain goes, it isn't just the border issue that derailed his campaign, It is McPain's constant flopping over to the RATS on issues that has derailed MSM's McPain campaign.
harrumph! Harrumph!
I have not received any e-mail requests recently - after I started responding to them with my opinion. I still get some in the mail. (I don’t answer my phone unless I know the person/number calling.)
It is distressing to hear that the GOP leadership is “bothered” by this issue. Failure of adequate border control simply puts the lie to the premise of the war on terror. The consequences violate the law at so many levels that it clearly is “just plain wrong”. The failure to provide a legal, lawful, accountable border control process and legalization of a controlled immigration procedure, as well as an accountable procedure for dealing with the illegal alien found on US soil is quite simply poor national civics and stupid politics. I would expect the GOP would be delighted to find a grass roots issue that should be relatively easy to remedy and address.
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