Posted on 07/21/2007 2:23:18 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The GOP leadership is waking up to a persistent reality, and it's one that has fundraisers and strategists at the RNC up at night. Conservatives, the core constituency of the Republican Party, are irate. Far from a passing hobbyhorse, the illegal immigration issue has galvanized Republican voters like no single issue in recent memory, and conservatives are refusing to let it go.
The Senate's comprehensive immigration bill, backed by the President and pushed by the GOP establishment, was more than a mere legislative miscalculation, is was the straw that broke the conservatives' back. Moreover, to listen to conservatives, it wasn't merely the legislation itself, but the strategy used by those trying to sell the bill. Conservatives are hopping mad at what they regard as unparalleled arrogance on the part of their Party's own leadership--arrogance that has rank and file Republicans digging in their heels, and vowing to go all the way in their efforts to defeat anyone associated with the bill.
With an election year approaching, the GOP is anxious to patch things up and move on. As in the past, the Republican establishment knows that come what may, when Hillary Clinton steps onto the stage, even conservatives outraged by the comprehensive immigration strategy will come running home. But as they are discovering, moving on may not be as easy as before. "Not this time" say many conservatives, who regard the immigration deal as merely the final insult from a party that has lost its way, and who vow to sit out the 2008 elections rather than compromise on their values.
"Money talks" and many conservatives feel that despite relying overwhelmingly on small money contributions, the Party caters only to big business interests in its policy. As a result, many conservatives are holding back their small contributions, and a grassroots effort to starve the GOP leadership into enforcing the borders has begun.
A favorite tool for angry Republicans is the so called "Bush Peso," that longtime GOP contributors are printing out on their home printers and enclosing in all Party solicitations. It is evidence of a new attitude among many conservatives--give us genuine conservatism, or else.
And slowly but surely, the message is getting through.
The collapse of John McCain's campaign is the most visible sign of conservatives walking away from GOP leaders associated with the comprehensive immigration strategy, but as Senate Republicans gear up for an election year, many are worried about their own reelection prospects.
Conservatives, it seems, are taking names and reminding their Party that they will not allow this issue to die. Rather than contribute to the Party's machinery--the RNC, NRCC, or NRSC--contributors are taking the time to investigate how their Senator voted, or whether their Congressional Representative voiced support for the legislation, and they're contributing accordingly.
Indeed, some analysts have suggested that 2008 could be a banner year for primary challenges to sitting GOP lawmakers. From South Carolina to Nebraska to Alaska, longtime GOP Senators are closely watching the groundswell of support for new conservative leadership.
In the midst of a campaign season in which there is no sitting Republican Vice President, or heir apparent, and an angry base clamoring for government accountability, the stage is set for a conservative revolt...and if you're a pro-amnesty incumbent, beware, your days in office may indeed be numbered.
Interesting. I recently told a party fund raiser caller that I was picking and choosing my donations more carefully, because of the way the leadership handled immigration amnesty.
Hear hear! Listen up, you party lurkers- we don’t need your steenkin North American Union!!
I’m telling you right now, people are prepared to exercise the 2nd amendment over this- and that’s just from the ones who 1> fully know about it and 2> have the guts to openly talk about it. I would imagine that many, many people are willing to stand up and be counted, if there were others to fall in behind.
The GOP stopped calling me years ago. I started sending back their silly little manipulative questionaires with CLOSE THE BORDER! scribbled across the page in big black Sharpie.
Saves a little money on postage, I guess they figured, so they took me off their sucker list.
Thanks for the ping - I have a few in mind the will be looking at “other” career options the next election cycle.
We’re going after Mel Martinez here. He’s the biggest RINO pile of crap to surface in a long time. And we’re not waiting for his term to come up, we want a recall.
ping
I have signed the recall petition, written letters, sent e-mails and tried to call.
I will fight to see him defeated, humiliated, arrested for treason, have his citizenship revoked and thrown in prison. And after that, I want to see him deported back to Cuba.
/rant
Also Charlie Crist - harrumph.
My $$ goes to my congresscritter, Randy Forbes, who is one of the last conservatives up there. The national GOP fundraising machine has stopped wasting their postage on me.
“Im telling you right now, people are prepared to exercise the 2nd amendment over this- and thats just from the ones who 1> fully know about it and 2> have the guts to openly talk about it. “
Definitely, the winds are blowing and “flyover” America is PO’ed. Question - will America be partioned before Iraq?
Oh, you’re a FL guy too! howdy neighbor.
I’m a little torn with Crist. I didn’t vote for him in the primary, but he is a good small government kind of guy.
Unfortunately, as we’ve seen lately, that’s not the end-all of wisdom. He’s definitely done a few boneheaded moves the past couple of weeks, that silly Global Warming thing for instance.
How long does the process take before they stop? I quit donating eons ago and I still get their crap. I also quit donating to the Michigan GOP because they absolutely refuse to go after target rich environment Karl Lenin, (she's far from)Little Debbie Stabemall, and Burt Stupidassak.
Send their fundraising envelopes back empty.
The final straw was the RSCC support for that POS Lincoln Chaffee. Even a moron could see that they are all about gaining / maintaining power - they don’t give a whit about conservative values.
I've know about Crist's liberal leanings for a while and voted for Max Linn.
I sent mine in--have you???
Oh really?
Linn cleaned his clock in the debate, didn’t he?
Crist is really more at home in the LP than the GOP I think, which is why I’m baffled at that enviro-whack position he took. That doesn’t make any sense at all.
We are going to tell the biggots to shut up. - Lindsey Graham referring to Legal Americans.
And I dont do this much, but I want to thank Ted Kennedy! - Senator Lindsay Graham.
That’s right, bud. The good ol boys have Lindsey in the crosshairs too! He looks at his job like he’s entitled to it.
If we, as an electorate, refuse to forget, this is going to be an interesting election.
I spend a lot of time in SC (hunting) and I’m here to tell you, people are up in arms over Graham. He has betrayed them. He hitched his wagon to the wrong horse (McCain).
Thank you for the ping.
You’re welcome!
Yep, I do that along with a return address label so they know where it comes from. I'm told though that whoever opens the envelope is only interested in the check and its originator. Everything else, such as the stupid survey goes in the trash. I been enjoying the numerous "final notice" letters from the RNC expressing concern because I haven't sent in my membership renewal for 2007 (or '06, '05, '04.....). Guess it just takes time.
The causes of my disenchantment were McCain, Voinovich, Hagel, Lugar, Chaffee, and Grahamnesty.
Not this time, muchachos!
Where can I get a Bush peso? I'd like to send one to my sorry Senator Arlen Spectacle and then to the RNC.
more for you to read, dear
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I wrote my senator and r.n.c. head Mel Martinez a letter protesting his support for the amnesty deal.
Butthead sent a reply asking for a donation to the r.n.c.
He can kiss my backside and I won’t give a penny to the party til he is gone from its leadership.
As for the many other RINOs, what’s the difference between the g.o.p and the dims?
So very disappointed in this President and the party and I’m a lifelong Republican.
“Vote for Amnesty, lose your cushy job! Vote the bums out, GOP or Democrat!”
Wait a minute man. Let me see if I got this straight. You mean to tell me that the A**hats are FINALLY beginning to understand that what they did may have, perhaps, possibly, had some sort of negative impact on their futures. I am stunned like a mullet.
“I started sending back their silly little manipulative questionaires with CLOSE THE BORDER! scribbled across the page in big black Sharpie.”
I recently received a whining for dollars letter from them. Wrote “**** YOU” across it and sent it back. I would urge everyone to do the same. The real fun is not only will they not get a dime from you butthey are also paying to get the message since it is a prepaid return envelope.
lol well, we can’t all be as diplomatic as you! haha
I’m off, gotta go play paintball for Jesus! ya’ll have a nice day
“As in the past, the Republican establishment knows that come what may, when Hillary Clinton steps onto the stage, even conservatives outraged by the comprehensive immigration strategy will come running home.”
And it had better be for the right danged candidate, not some fear-based choice dictated by the MSM. Duncan Hunter is the ONLY candidate who will effectively secure the border in 6 months. He will use attrition through enforcement to resolve the illegal immigration problem. He will NOT give any illegal aliens “aspirations of citizenship”.
AMNESTY is NEVER the answer.
The sovereignty and security of our country is at stake!
And I will add this....bookmarking this thread....watching to see who changes their tune when the GOP backs their “I oppose BLANKET amnesty” and “we must give them aspirations of citizenship” candidate.
Crist has been elected. He is now in re-election mode and paying debts incurred getting elected.
Crist is a highly polished professional politician - I need say no more :)
That's what they think? We'll see about that. Besides, Hillary isn't going to do as well as they hope.
And as far a McPain goes, it isn't just the border issue that derailed his campaign, It is McPain's constant flopping over to the RATS on issues that has derailed MSM's McPain campaign.
harrumph! Harrumph!
I have not received any e-mail requests recently - after I started responding to them with my opinion. I still get some in the mail. (I don’t answer my phone unless I know the person/number calling.)
It is distressing to hear that the GOP leadership is “bothered” by this issue. Failure of adequate border control simply puts the lie to the premise of the war on terror. The consequences violate the law at so many levels that it clearly is “just plain wrong”. The failure to provide a legal, lawful, accountable border control process and legalization of a controlled immigration procedure, as well as an accountable procedure for dealing with the illegal alien found on US soil is quite simply poor national civics and stupid politics. I would expect the GOP would be delighted to find a grass roots issue that should be relatively easy to remedy and address.
I also quit donating to the Michigan GOP. The republican party in this state is weak and has been for some time. I blame a lot of it on Engler. He had a chance to promote strong conservative leadership and look what we are left with. When is a M republican going to go on the offensive with Granholm and stop the “we have to be nice to the lady” routine. She’s no lady. She’s a liberal and she wants your money. I’d like to see L. Brooks take a run one day. He’s not as conservative as I would like, but he’s a tax cut hawk.
Actually the pre-paid postage is collected when the envelope is delivered and it costs more if it weighs more.
I stuff them full of junk mail and old expired coupons.
While we are talkng about national elections, we also need to focus on our local and state races.
Funny how democrap voters don’t have any interest in the amnesty issue, according to all reports ... it’s just conservatives who are mad.
The usual MSM BS.
The GOP has tried to bury the problem of illegals/immigration during the Bush 2 Administration, while Bush has been pushing for comprehensive immigration reform [that is amnesty for those in Rio Linda] since he took office in 2001.
The last major stoppage of the flow of illegals came under the presidency of Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, half a century ago.
The last major unimpeded invasion of illegals came under the presidency of Republican George W. Bush, who currently occupies the Oval Office and who's team has recently taken the approach that the problem is too big to deal with, they don't have the tools or capabilities to stop illegals, they need more laws (including amnesty), and those illegals are doing jobs that fat, lazy Americans won't do.
GWBush and the unabated massive invasion of illegals came during a time when the Republicans had control of The Senate, The House, and the Oval Office. Estimates of the flow of illegals say some 4,000 to 5,000 new illegals enter the US every day/night.
While the Senate was under Republican control in 2006, they passed the one of the most atrocious bills in history — the Comprehensive Immigration Act — which provided amnesty to millions of illegals. The Republican House did stop that idiocy.
Not to be undone, the Senate tried again to 2007 to pass a revised edition of the Comprehensive Immigration Act. The Democratic controlled Senate failed to pass it.
Bush would not let it die. He pit-bulled the bill by making a special unprecedented trip to Capitol Hill to get the Senate to revive the bill. The Senate did, in an unprecedented action, again try to push through a slightly revised edition of the Comprehensive Immigration Act — just weeks following the previous failure to pass. This edition brought out a massive uproar from the American public — millions of irate faxes that would fill a storage building, millions of emails that would fill tetrabyte-sized storage drives, and enough phone calls to cause a melt-down of the Senate phone switchboard system. This second attempt to also failed in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Of course, the Pubbie-bots rushed out praise that the Republicans stopped the bill. But, only a partial list of Republicans get the credit, with help from some Democrats who also voted against the bill. The President was for it, the GOP Senate leadership was for it, and the GOP/RNC leadership was apparently threatening members who were running in elections throughout the country with a loss of RNC support (i.e., money) if they did not support the Comprehensive Immigration Act.
The GOP does not have a pretty record on immigration/illegal immigration — not since Eisenhower was president.
If one of the major Democratic contenders claim the issue and promise better border security than the Bush 2 Administration has provided, the Dems could walk away with the issue (some 80% of the public want better border control) and walk right into the Oval Office on January 20, 2009.
The sad part is:
The apparently clueless GOP leadership continues to ignore the major problem and continues to push for massive amnesty. They are piece-parting the Comprehensive Immigration provisions by trying to attach some of the provisions onto other bills. The issue did not die with the big Senate vote to kill the bill.
” Oh, youre a FL guy too! howdy neighbor.
Im a little torn with Crist. I didnt vote for him in the primary, but he is a good small government kind of guy.
Unfortunately, as weve seen lately, thats not the end-all of wisdom. Hes definitely done a few boneheaded moves the past couple of weeks, that silly Global Warming thing for instance.”
Hello from a Treasure Coast Freeper.
Let’s wait and see the real net $ from Charlies Insurance & Tax initiatives.
I’m sure you’re like me, and wonder where the gap of “ fall like a rock” on insurance premiums, and major property tax reform came from ?????
Glad to meet you neighbor.
"That's what they think? We'll see about that."
I will not vote against the lesser of two evils ever again.
I berated many of my friends when they would point out GW's left leanings.
Now I'm eating my words.
And the Republican Congress outdid the democrats.
From now on, I'm voting for Conservative candidates, period.
If the country wants to take a left-hand turn, let the democrats take the wheel.
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