John Podhoretz: W's Immmigration Plan: A New GOP

The New York Post ^ | January 8, 2004 | John Podhoretz

[quidnunc]

Yesterday, President Bush proposed a far-reaching, innovative and compassionate revision of American immigration policy. It instantly drew predictable howls from those who fear the economic and social costs of immigration, and inadvertently comic howls from Democrats and moans of disappointment from liberal Hispanics who reacted with barely concealed rage at the prospect of Bush making profound inroads into the 2004 Latino vote.

The specifics and their efficacy (or lack thereof) will be debated over the coming weeks by policymakers and advocates on both sides of the issue. But there's no question that, by planting his flag firmly in the pro-immigration camp, Bush has once again sought to transform not only the political debate in the United States but the Republican Party as well.

-snip-

One of the most peculiar elements of the anti-immigrant intellectual movement is just how many of its members are themselves immigrants — John O'Sullivan, John Derbyshire and Peter Brimelow from England, and George Borjas from Cuba. I once found myself in an argument with a few of these gentlemen at a conference and realized that I was the only person speaking with an American accent.

-snip-

[Tim Osman]

John Podhoretz: W's Immmigration Plan: A New GOP

Yeah, a GOP that is virtually indistinguishable from the Democrat party...

And one that has just made a very big mistake that will cost them.

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[MarkM]

Yea, Rove and company forgot about a revolt from the real conservatives. I think there are a lot of Conservative Republicans in congress who will try to slow down immigration, not expand it. And to h#ll with your Medicare drug give-away program too, Mr Rove.

[Dane]

Yea, Rove and company forgot about a revolt from the real conservatives.

What is a "real conservative". Is there a secret handshake or something?

[Utah Girl]

What is a "real conservative". Is there a secret handshake or something?

As soon as you find out, let me know. I'm really anxious to know if I am a "true" conservative or not...

[the lone wolf]

It shouldn't be a suprise that the GOP is becoming more like the Democratic Party. Millions of former Democrats have had the Democratic Party leave them as it moves farther and farther to the Left. They have become Republican by default, bringing their values and slightly less Leftist positions with them. Their votes count for as much as yours or mine, and Bush II (or Rove) knows that it will be easier to please these wishy-washy voters than it is to please a bunch of Conservatives, and at the same time portray Bush II as a moderate.

[KC_Conspirator]

For someone that has been a big shrubbery for some years now, I have just about had it. Here we have tons of American jobs being shipped overseas and my president cares more about illegal aliens. I just can't but help think that Karl Rove and the team care very little about us.

[dawn53]

I think you have to hate immigrants if you want to be a "real conservative."

Oh, and you also have to make a statement that you'd rather not vote than vote for Bush.

I think that's how you get into the club.

[MissAmericanPie]

If you have to ask, then you can't possibly be one.=o)

[Dane]

I have just about had it. Here we have tons of American jobs being shipped overseas and my president cares more about illegal aliens

Huh, tax cuts getting the economy I guess means nothing to you. Oh BTW, what do you mean he cares more about illegal aliens? He just states that he wants to document them, not give them instant citizenship. BTW, do you want a job cleaning toilets or making beds at a hotel.

[dagnabbit]

- or you can oppose merging the United States with Mexico, and perhaps not believe that conservatism is whatever haltingly emerges from George Bush's mouth.

[goldstategop]

I agree with John on this much: I'm not a nativist and I am not saying the GOP shouldn't be welcoming of legal immigrants and their contribution to our country. After all we are an immigrant nation and our country is the richer it. Where I part company with him is the notion illegal immigration should be rewarded with government handouts and extending to them citizenship like its an entitlement, which undermines the notion of what it means to be an American. The political problem John complains of is by no means restricted to conservative intellectuals: most of the American people want tougher enforcement rather than a more permissive approach to illegal immigration. And my take is a GOP that can't tell the crucial difference between legal and illegal immigration won't be around in power in ten years time.

[dawn53]

or you can oppose merging the United States with Mexico

Don't you think you're overreacting a bit???

Documenting "illegals" (which by the way have been here for years with no documentation at all) is not exactly MERGING the US and Mexico.

Now if my bank starts handing out pesos instead of dollars....I'll know the MERGE has begun.

[goldstategop]

Mexomerica.

[dawn53]

Nah, since America is bigger, it should be Amerexico.

[Fledermaus]

One of the most peculiar elements of the anti-immigrant intellectual movement is just how many of its members are themselves immigrants — John O'Sullivan, John Derbyshire and Peter Brimelow from England, and George Borjas from Cuba.

Podhoretz, like a lot of journalists, gets this wrong. Those like O'Sullivan and Derbyshire are NOT "anti-immigrant", they are anti-ILLEGAL-immigrants.

All Podhoretz has to do is read NRO because Derbyshire was posting all day yesterday in The Corner talking about L-E-G-A-L immigration vs. illegal. He, like most legal immigrants, don't understand why they had to spend years jumping through hoops to achieve what Bush is now, like Reagan in 1986, going to confer on illegal aliens.

[Fledermaus]

I think you have to hate immigrants if you want to be a "real conservative."

That's as childish and ridiculous a statement as those made by John Podhoretz.

Conservative are against ILLEGAL immigration. What part of ILLEGAL do you not get? Do you know what the meaning of "is" is or do you need help?

[nopardons]

The hysterics, on FR, always over react.

The vast majority ( if not ALL ) of the people saying that they won't vote for Bush now, weren't going to do so anyway and have spent the last 4+ ( including the primary and election season of '00 and ALL of his presidency ) bashing him.

[nopardons]

And what part of DOCUMENTED , is the word ILLEGAL a part of ?