With Hunter doing so poorly, we don’t have a high-polling candidate with a proven record on doing something about illegal immigration. Romney comes the closest, having denied in-state tuition and DLs to illegals in MA.
This has been the Achilles heel of the GWB administration and a big one. Because of President Bush’s failure to enforce immigration law and border security, especially in the wake of 9/11, trust in the GOP per se has gone down. Ultimately, we don’t know who we can trust to do what his administration has failed to do, and his negligence has made it tougher for a Republican victory this year.
I know what you mean. I always used to feel reasonably confident with whomever the Republicans settled on, even if I had a few disagreements around the edges with the nominee. After all, it was the party of straight-shooting law-and-order. The Dems were always the ones into subterfuge, putting on the calculated facade of moderation for the public, while stomping headlong into socialism once they’re in office. I always felt I could pretty much ‘trust’ what Republican politicians said, generically speaking. They might veer a little left or a little right, but they weren’t all-out pretenders.
Yet, now, thanks to pro-amnesty Republicans, I really find I can no longer maintain the same kind of auto-pilot faith I used to have in the Party’s choices. The whole shamnesty insanity really became a watershed moment in my political perspective. I’m not going to be giving my vote to anyone until I feel 100% confident they will secure the borders, and never serve up amnesty.