[Moonman62]

The actual Reagan may have issued an amnesty for illegals, but the Ideal Reagan would have done no such thing. So unless Bush packs freight cars full of gardeners and dishwashers and dumps them off at the Mexican border, some voters will just sit this one out.

But Reagan had no precedent of failed amnesty, Bush does. And saying we have to deport everyone is being dishonest. Just moving in the right direction by defending our borders, deporting the lawbreakers, and admitting that these people are breaking the law would satisfy most people from all over the political spectrum.

[Tamzee]

But Reagan had no precedent of failed amnesty, Bush does.

Doesn't matter, Bush hasn't proposed amnesty. And Reagan's amnesty didn't work because he didn't finish the job and crack down on the employers still taking in illegals that were willing to work for pennies. Bush stated in his original speech about the guest worker program that his proposal can't work unless they force employers to cooperate and punish the ones who don't.