Touchback amnesty could describe Trump's plan except Trump calls for vetting returnees for run ins with the law, fraud, etc before allowing them to return. One hopes that includes welfare, tax return, and social security fraud. Pence probably meant that, too, but he wasn't a major candidate forced to detail his thoughts.
The rap on walking back the Indiana religious freedom act came amid a media firestorm over Indiana pizzas and gay weddings. IN RFRA said that Indiana couldn't violate religious freedom without a compelling state interest that couldn't be otherwise accommodated. IIRC, he partially bowed to media pressure by adding some provision to that legislation that either killed it or weakened it. I don't remember which.
Well, I think conservatives need to give Pence some slack on those for now. Trump at this point at least seems to favor touchback removal, not amnesty. Especially those illegals who have a criminal record here. The "Kate's Law" proposal -- which continues to fail in Congress -- would represent a "meeting of the minds" of Trump and Gov. Pence. It's best to move forward baby-step by baby-step rather than in one swell foop....
It is probably impossible now to "remove" all the illegal aliens in our country, who in many cases are members of families who have been here for generations. The Fourteenth Amendment's definition of "citizen" as it is currently construed by the federal and state courts makes this exceptionally complicated, difficult. But I'm sure a sane answer can be found, once people seriously start focusing on the issue, rather than just demagoguing it.
Hopefully, the Republican Congress will continue "Republican" in both Houses after Nov. 9th. If so, there's a very good chance that good progress can be made on this front over the next few years.
As for Pence "backing away" from IN RFRA: God bless this gallant man for getting it passed in the first place. Of course, "the usual suspects" instantly started agitating against it. In the end, what it all boiled down to: The anti-IN-RFRA media campaign was more persuasive (politically) than the Governor's, and so his new legislation was seriously "defanged." I don't think Pence even had a media strategy.
I hate to say what I just said. But on my observation, it is mainly true: People are swayed by messages.... Fewer and fewer think for themselves, they wait to be "instructed."
Anyhoot, I'm pleased that Trump chose Pence as his running mate. I sense good complementarity there. A couple weeks ago, I was flirting with the idea of Newt as Veep. But then I thought, oh my, that would be too exciting, even overwhelming!!! A Donald AND a Newt at the same time??? Jeepers, a lot of Americans would likely need to increase their blood pressure meds....
But can you imagine Newt as President Donald Trump's Chief-of-Staff??? Oh my word. That job is the second-most-powerful job in Washington: For one thing, the COS controls access to the President. The VP has to go to the COS to get an appointment to even see the President. Or so I understand.
Then again, such rules are barbarous. LOL! :<)
Oh, just dreaming of who Trump would pick for some truly important slots in his Administration! Michael Flynn as SecDef would please me enormously. One wonders who he will chose for SecTreas -- Stephen Moore? Robert Laffer? Ben Carson as SecHHS? Chris Christie as AG? There are so many talented and eminently qualified people who have been shut out of public service year after year by goose-stepping progressives in government, the MSM, and academe who obviously owe fealty to Barack Obama....
It is now time to vote them all away, to sweep away goose-stepping progressives. That's what the 2016 presidential election is all about.
I'm glad Trump released a list of potential judicial nominees already. Very helpful. Now I wish he might tell us who's he's thinking of hiring for his various Administrative Departments?
I just wish those silly #NeverTrump people would get on-board the #NeverHillary train. I'll never forgive Mitt Romney, the former governor of my home state, for stirring all this up to begin with....
I'm so looking forward to the Convention!
Thank you for your brilliant analysis, dear Brother!