Immigration Is THE Issue Of This Election
Politico.com notes:
RNC officials tell us their direct mail money dried up — with some regular donors writing nasty things about immigration as the reason they were stiffing the party.
The article goes on to explain that the reason for McCain’s and Guilliani’s campaign collapses are the candidates’ support for an amnesty program and sanctuary cities.
I would like to remind you, my dear readers, of an obvious and overlooked fact: it was the bloggers and net-savvy techies that solidified the opposition to the amnesty bill. Given the RNC’s fundraising problems and the conservatives’ general distaste for the current slate of candidates, is it any wonder that regulations on a free net are being discussed?
Granting amnesty to the 30+ million illegal immigrants here was part of the the old ‘big tent’ philosophy that has ruled the party for decades. In short, it surmises that herding the votes toward Republican candidates was easier if each voting bloc within the party ‘got something’ out of the policies supported by the party. While that in and by itself is not troublesome, what was disturbing was the amount of groups the Republican party attempted to bring on board toward its cause.
It is no secret that one of the wisest men in Washington was behind the amnesty bill. Karl Rove has spoke at length about capturing the ‘emerging Latino vote’. In many states, like California, Hispanics will be the plurality ethnic group within a few short years. ‘Bush’s Brain’ felt that if the party pushed amnesty and immigration reform, this emerging bloc of voters would then swing toward Republican votes.
To some effect, he may have been right. Given a little motivation, Hispanics, whom are largely culturally, family, and religion oriented, could have also fit in well with the other planks of the Republican platform. The idea from the start was a political gamble, and as Micheal Savage has pointed out numerous times on his talk show ‘The Savage Nation’ it would forever change the landscape of America.
‘We are not just talking about 30 million illegal immigrants here. You see, because as soon as they become citizens, current immigration laws allow them to bring up to five family members over as well. We’re being lied to, this bill grants citizenship to almost 150 million immigrants, forever changing the cultural and demographic landscape of America.’
Bloggers picked up on that, and rightfully so. Immigration, after all, touches on issues of law and order, justice, crime, jobs and economy. With our borders so wide open, it is a widely held belief that we are most vulnerable to terrorist infiltration through porous ‘technology fences’ rather than real ones. Also, don’t forget that the implications of that come with letting foreign speaking and culturally distinct groups be granted a ‘free pass’ despite our immigration laws- which require proficiency in English and an understanding of our laws and Constitution.
It also invokes the protectionist wing of the party who see the loss of jobs due to NAFTA, GATT and the coming North American Union. These conservatives have long bemoaned the destruction of America’s sovereignty. Why is it that we now have to accept foreigners taking jobs that Americans, those on welfare or in a work-prison release situation, could be taking? And what about border security? Wouldn’t granting amnesty to illegals only further the invasion from foreign countries?
Karl Rove’s gamble was just too high. For the party that was already being perceived as straying way too far from its core beliefs, this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Should Guilliani or McCain, or any Republican candidate, get the nomination whom is not strong on immigration it could set back our party’s efforts for years. The costs would be real- continued withholding of funds and support by the base, a continued lack of a unified message and, most importantly, would open up many weaker Republican districts to all-out assaults by the Democratic party.
At least one website is asking, since Iraq and Immigration were NOT ALLOWED TO BE DEBATED yesterday, the most important Republican issues of the day, will today’s Democratic debate be similarly limited by not debating healthcare and economy? This just reeks of the Republican party trying to limit the influence of its base and of the partisan hack government/media complex.
So tell me, do you still support amnesty? Is that a price you are really willing to pay? Because know this- you have lost nearly all of your support over this issue. There is only one way back to power, and that is to admit you were WRONG, WRONG, WRONG on this issue. Anything less than coming out strong on immigration issues would be an absolute and complete disaster for the Republican party.
Quite simply, we can see your tells and are calling your bluff. That is not a direction the base of the party is willing to go. Rebuilding begins with this issue, and this issue alone. Trust must be restored before we can achieve yesterday’s plan for the future.
Update 12-14-2007: Republicans, facing voter anger over the lack of substanitive issues discussed by the liberal-hack Des Moines Register debate held this week, are ‘considering’ hosting another improptu debate where immigration and Iraq could draw discussion. That story, here.
