Posted on 06/30/2007 2:57:42 PM PDT by hardback
The chairman of the Kansas Republican Party predicted Friday that immigration will be the defining domestic issue of the 2008 presidential campaign and said it could hurt early front-runners John McCain and Rudy Giuliani in the Republican primaries.
Kris Kobach, a former chief immigration adviser in the U.S. Justice Department, said the comprehensive immigration reform bill killed in the Senate this week died because it was light on border enforcement and heavy on amnesty for the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country.
He called it primarily an amnesty bill "with a couple enforcement ornaments hanging on it."
Kobach gave his analysis during a seminar Friday at the national convention of the Grand Order of Pachyderm Clubs at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. About 150 Republican activists from around the country have registered for the event, a mix of social activities, issue discussions and political strategy meetings.
The Wichita Pachyderm Club is host for the convention.
Kobach said supporting the immigration bill has injured the presidential chances of McCain, R-Ariz., who once led the race but has faltered in recent polls.
The immigration issue also could hurt Giuliani, a former New York City Mayor, who will have to answer to skeptical GOP conservatives for having once sued the federal government to keep New York a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants.
The candidate getting the biggest boost is former Tennessee senator and "Law & Order" actor Fred Thompson, Kobach said. Thompson and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney both take a harder line on immigration, he said.
"I think it would help both of them," Kobach said, but added, "I think Romney is gaining less traction among conservatives than he hoped."
And even though Reps. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., and Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., remain long shots, their strong stance on the issue has brought them much-needed attention in the crowded Republican field.
One of the other topics of the convention is how to attract more minority voters to the Republican Party.
Dan Stockemer, founder of the Wichita Pachyderm Club and former Sedgwick County GOP chairman, acknowledged the party is walking a fine line as it seeks to balance its desire for more Hispanic voters and its desire to be the hard-line party on illegal immigration.
He said many Hispanics who are here legally -- especially Cuban-Americans in the vote-rich swing state of Florida -- support the GOP position on undocumented immigrants. Other Hispanic voters, largely Catholic, can likely be swayed to the Republican side by its positions on social issues such as abortion, which their church opposes, Stockemer said.
"In the long run, I personally don't think it (immigration) will hurt the Republican Party," he said.
One Hispanic Republican who attended Kobach's presentation is lawyer Rick Macias. He said the party's position won't alienate large numbers of Hispanics as long as the focus remains on legality and doesn't stray into race-bashing.
"I really think it has a lot less to do with prejudice toward any group," he said. "The idea is primarily the rule of law."
I could have told this guy that several years. In fact, I did—right here on FR!
Can Kobach run against Sam Brownback in the next primary?
As it should.
To heck with BOTH of them and with every other RINO who voted for cloture and thus for Bush's immigration bill!
“The candidate getting the biggest boost is former Tennessee senator and “Law & Order” actor Fred Thompson, Kobach said. Thompson and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney both take a harder line on immigration, he said. “
Mitt won’t win. Hunter doesn’t have a chance. It’s really up to Fred - he can win.
And fairness to all those who happen to be geographically disadvantaged relative to those from nearby countries. And fairness to taxpayers, who have to pay the bills of those who can't pay their own.
Kobach is excellent or perhaps Ashcroft could be persuaded to run again. Brownback is terrible on immigration - google Brownback and Somali muslims for info on the thousands of muslims he has imported into the U.S. to live on welfare.
Yes, McCain, and Kennedy and Bush have opened up a Pandora’s box on immigration they will live to regret. It has been simmering for years, but they have brought it to a boil just in time for a presidential election. This issue has now moved toward the top of the list, and a lot of people are going to be listening to what the candidates have to say about border security, illegal immigration and the Rule of Law. I plan to impose my personal illegal immigration litmus test on anyone who wants my vote. Open-borders McCain can suck eggs.
If immigration “defines” the 08 election, then I really think the GOP loses. By 08, all most swing voters will remember is that Republicans stood in the way of immigration legislation. In my opinion, the war on Islamofascism needs to be the key issue. Whichever Republican wins will fight it. Whichever Democrat wins will not.
It will be terrorism and the war in Iraq.
Immigration will be an issue only as it pertains to security.
Gays, abortion, and other social issues will take a backseat, hard.
...Open-borders McCain can suck eggs...
He can and does. DC Chapter ping!
You are assuming all swing voters support the idea of amnesty for 12-20 million illegal aliens. I’m not so sure that is a valid assumption. In fact, I think you can make a pretty good case for the argument that the proposed amnesty, coupled with the fiasco of border enforcement, left a bitter taste in the mouth of lots of people on the left, on the right and in the middle, people who believe in the rule of law. I think what they will remember is that the Senate tried to pass a bill that everyone heartily detested except for a few narrow special interest lobbies.
If that’s the case, then Duncan Hunter will be our next president. There are quite a few months ahead for the facts to come out and rhetoric from opposing campaigns to be rejected (contradictory to their candidates’ voting and other records).
People who are sincere about it can sign Duncan Hunter’s petition.
http://www.gohunter08.com/petition/
As he becomes more well known in the State, he'll either go for Gov. or national election. He's far, far too good to waste but he has been heading up lawsuits against KS' giveaways to Anchor Babies getting preferred treatments in College and elsewhere around the country.
The Shamnesty sentiment runs through both parties and most especially in Independents.
Look for Kris to make some big moves soon.
The next president will be chosen based on:
—Iraq and the war on terror
—Corruption views
—Judicial Philosophy
—Economic views
—Illegal Immigration
—Energy policy
I would say there’s more of coarse, but I would put it in that order...somewhat. Illegal immigration will definitely be an important part, but I believe Iraq will trump them all (depending on the situation). One must alway understand that many democrats will vote for their people just because they hate the war...regardless of their position on illegal immigration. So it’s not quite a priority for all...in that sense.
Among conservatives it will definitely be...
Iraq/WOT
Abortion
General judicial movement
Illegal immigration
Economy
...in which case, both the national GOP and Democrat Parties have imploded.
2008 is gonna be a defining battle between pro-America conservatives vs. pro-globalist (New World Order) Marxists.
I realize you just took the original title, but at first, I thought you were talking about Mel Matinez, lol.
It looks like the American public is taking amnesty out more on the democrats right now - that’s based on current polls, but the democrat Congressional leadership has proved to be...lacking, out of touch...on most issues, and it’s only been six months.
McCain is done.
If they don't have a green card now, how the hell is another required card going to help?
Bravo sierra..........it is still about being attacked by those who want to diminish us whether you call it terrorism or immigration.........
Nice to see some clear thinking on this at the state-chairman level.
Immigration will be an issue only as it pertains to security.”
Wellllllllllllll?
Are we to believe there is a WOT going on....when almost without exception all those in Washington seem so reticent to secure our borders?
Ya can’t have it both ways.
This is why GWB’s credibility has been chiseled away to nothing over the last 7 years.
Fred needs to appeal to American MOMs - the illegal alien problem is hurting THEIR children’s education (crowded schools), emergency care (crowded ERs) and security.
It’s a winner !
They will remember it all right, but they will admire that stand, way more than half of them, that is.
The swing voters follow the same opinion split on the issue as the general voting public because they are the general voting public.
Thank you!
About time a high rankin Republican admitted the obvious. Not all Hispanics think alike just because they have brown skin and can speak two languages. Talk about bigotry, well nothing exemplies that more then the attitude Hispanics are sheep incapable of possessing the ability to think for themselves and re-evaluate previous loyalties when given a solid reason to do so. Instead of dissolving our borders and abolishing all principle, why not forge a new alliance with Hispanics on issues of shared importance? many social conservatives vote primarily for the GOP based on marriage, abortion, embryonic stem cells, freedom of religion and such. Why do so many Republicans think this is of no value to Hispanics and that they would not be open to a party that protected all? One Hispanic Republican who attended Kobach's presentation is lawyer Rick Macias. He said the party's position won't alienate large numbers of Hispanics as long as the focus remains on legality and doesn't stray into race-bashing. "I really think it has a lot less to do with prejudice toward any group," he said. "The idea is primarily the rule of law."
someone needs to tell this to the flame throwing Lindset Grahmnesty.
Since 80% of the public, which included a majority of Reps and Independents plus 50% of democrats was AGAINST amnesty and that bill, the proposition the public would punish some Republicans for killing amnesty is absurd. the public is happy amnesty was killed. they aren’t happy it isn’t being controlled, and the may take it out on the people that aren’t controlling it, but pro-border people isn’t a losing popsition. Ask the Dems that won last year because they ran as tougher on enforcement then the gop.
Hillary voted for the bill and that will be a big weapon against her as well in the main election, should Al Gore not get in and mop the floor with her.
An apt description...
Hunter is actually doing quite well. His campaign strategy - concentrating efforts on local hotspots - is just not ammenable to a poll taken of randomly picked individuduals. The proof is in the the pudding with him winning the early straw polls. All he has to do is pick off a couple early primary states and the media will be forced to cover him, resulting in higher probability for victories in the later states. With his bonafides and available resources, he may be able to pull it off.
Don’t write him off yet. Fred is good, but Hunter is a shade better, having served his country in the 173rd Airborne and with deeper national security experience. The ideal ticket is Hunter/Thompson, or Thompson/Hunter.
A recent GOP poll for likely voters had Fred winning before even announcing. If I had to chose between two I’d settle for Hunter as VP and Fred as President. Mitt is a loser and a tad strange.
It is already well into race bashing. By the Democrats. It will focus on legality only when the Republicans smarten up, grow spines and refuse to allow the Democrats to define the terms of the debate. Democrats will continually focus on race bashing, and up to now it is working quite well. And that is entirely the fault of the Republicans.
Can somebody please tell me what race hispanics are?
Every time I hear “technological fence” it brings to mind the “virtual” fences pet owners put around their yards. They are buried, then a shock collar is put on the pet. The pet gets “buzzed” if it gets too close.
Ya think that’s the type of fence he’s talking about? And that we put shock collars on every Mexican citizen? Just askin’....
Demand a border fence! Build it NOW!! Beef up the border patrol and close our borders!
U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
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White House comments: (202) 456-1111
Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep
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Toll free to the US Senate:
1-800-882-2005. (Spanish number)
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Courtesy of a pro-amnesty group, no less!!
Health care will be a big issue. Medicare is going broke and the entire health care system is in trouble.
If immigration is going to define the 2008 election, we had best nominate a candidate who supports a border fence and deportation, not amnesty. Currently there are only two candidates in the race who take that position: Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo.
Ask La Raza.
True,...unfortunately it seems the left is better at getting their message out. Especially on their views of nationalized healthcare.
I hope America isn’t influenced into that. There are problems with the current system, and I think they’re not insurmountable. If we head towards nationalized care, say good bye to our military as we know it.
Hispanic....
The vague identification would be anyone with some American Indian blood. The could have black, white, or a number other ‘races’ within them.
lol No thanks. I’d rather not venture into that.
Heinz 57.
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