Immigration has become high-stakes duel for GOP

Knight Ridder Newspapers ^ | Apr. 03, 2006 | DICK POLMAN

[Dubya]

The furor over immigration that is raging in Congress, on radio talk shows, on cable TV shoutfests and in the conservative blogosphere is actually a high-stakes duel over the image and direction of the Republican Party.

Two powerful factions of the GOP coalition are warring openly -- a clash that threatens to further imperil the party's prospects the November congressional elections, while exacerbating internal tensions that could reignite during the 2008 presidential primaries.

The business lobby, which pumps big bucks into the GOP, wants a new law that would enable 11 million illegal immigrants to stay here and work. But if Congress goes that route, it risks prompting millions of grassroots conservatives -- who are already angry at President Bush's lavish federal spending, his Dubai ports deal and other perceived missteps -- to boycott Election Day. The party can ill afford a revolt by its base, especially because most independent voters, soured by the war in Iraq, don't seem enthused about voting Republican.

Kellyanne Conway, a conservative Republican pollster and strategist, said by phone Friday that a boycott is no idle threat: "This year, more and more would-be Republican voters are glomming on to any excuse they can find to stay home and send a message. If I was a Republican leader, I'd be very careful about banging on that beehive too many times. The immigration issue could be one more excuse to stay home."

Conservatives, furious about the guest worker ideas being floated in the Senate, generally want illegal immigrants treated as lawbreakers and sent home -- but that idea is also perilous. If Congress says yes, it risks sending a broadly anti-Hispanic message that could alienate the increasingly numerous Latino voters whom Bush and Karl Rove view as crucial to their party's future.

[CowboyJay]

"Not sure if you answered my question before, CowboyJay about if you want to stop LEGAL immigration as well?"

No. I'm not a zero pop growth freak either. We're growing a little too fast now due to the rush of illegal immigration. It's causing problems. I have no problem with conservative levels of legal immigration.

[clawrence3]

Thanks - that's good to know.

[Types_with_Fist]

Perhaps you missed the two-day summit "Jorge" had in Cancun? Mexico's economy IS improving, and President Fox said he will help more on border security issues too

ROTFL!!!!

[normy]

The stick carrot approach is not used because the Pubs in power want illegal immigration. This is an R. vs. R fight not R. vs. D so either way we lose, not because the Pubs don't agree with me but because they frame their argument in a dishonest way, and they know they are doing it. Kinda like "when did you stop beating your wife?". If it was coming from Dems, ok, thats their standard attack but its coming from Republican politicians and conservatives even on FR. They know its illegal vs. legal but they refuse to argue their point on that fact.

[clawrence3]

So, you didn't miss it?

[Types_with_Fist]

So, you didn't miss it?

No. But it sounds like you did. The main thing discussed, naturally, was the "guest-worker" proposal which, should anything you quoted were true, we wouldn't have a need for.

[clawrence3]

If I am framing the argument dishonestly, then why no answer to my question: "Do you want 'legal' immigration stopped?" Once you answer that, I'd be happy to answer: "When did you stop beating your wife?".

[clawrence3]

I did not miss a thing - I've even been to the same ruins at Chichén Itzá ; )

[Types_with_Fist]

I've even been to the same ruins at Chichén Itzá ; )

Gotten a glimpse of America's future, did you...:-)

[normy]

Start a legal immigration thread and I will answer it on that, until then you can only get my opinion on lawbreakers and those who hire them. Is it legal to hire legal immigrants, did they break a law to come here? Are the seeking asylum? You know the answer but your dishonesty reeks. Good thing however you know yourself from my post to someone else.

[Serenissima Venezia]

Great map. thanks! It'll help me figure out where to relocate to to get the he!! out of Mexifornia.

[Serenissima Venezia]

Continetti said that Bush's approach is in the Reagan tradition: "It's the difference between an optimistic message and a pessimistic message. The optimistic message is pro-Latino and inclusive. The pessimistic message is, 'Build a wall.' And one thing we know is, optimistic messages win."

But conservatives cite new polls that appear to show that a majority of Americans side with them on immigration. Case in point: the nonpartisan Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, which reported Thursday that, by 53 percent to 40 percent, Americans want illegal immigrants to go home. And a new Time poll, released Friday, finds that 75 percent think illegal immigrants should be denied government services.

At least somebody realizes the GOP has a choice to make. Either a happy, feel-good, suck up to big-business choice or do what's right for the country and your constituents.

They'll make their choice and then I'll make mine in '06 and '08.

[clawrence3]

Hardly.

[clawrence3]

Here you go: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1608492/posts

[Dubya]

I am sorry that happened to you. And thanks for sharing. I will watch my car closer. I didn't think of that.

[blackie]

Roger that, JG!

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Support our Minutemen Patriots!

Be Ever Vigilant!

[blackie]

Probably.

Check out this link:

http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty138.htm

[clawrence3]

Kinda makes a difference, don't you think? I'm "Latino" since my mother is Mexican.

[blackie]

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Support our Minutemen Patriots!

Be Ever Vigilant!

[blackie]

Yep. :)