Posted on 07/14/2015 5:52:59 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
In the wake of last week’s tragic shooting of a San Francisco woman by an undocumented immigrant, front-running GOP candidate Donald (“The Duck”) Trump is fanning the flames of racism and xenophobia among his Republican base. His strategy is to use anti-immigrant hysteria in order to win the White House next year.
Why does the issue of immigration resonate with the GOP base, and what will the GOP candidates be pushing this election cycle?
The primary divide within the GOP on immigration is primarily between two factions. One faction consists of xenophobic populists (such as Trump and Cruz) who want to keep immigrants out altogether. They express fear that immigrants are coming to steal jobs, commit crimes, and reduce the power and influence of white people.
On the other side is the traditional GOP bastion, Big Business, which prefers to see the creation of pathways to legal residency for cheap labor pools. One GOP hopeful who favors this approach is Florida senator Marco Rubio, himself the offspring of Cuban immigrants. Two years ago, he was the GOP’s golden boy. After supporting legislation providing illegal immigrants a way to achieve citizenship, however, he became persona non grata.
Current runner-up Jeb Bush – himself married to a Mexican immigrant – is treading a thin line. Originally, he favored legislation making it easier for immigrants to become U.S. citizens, but has since backpedaled into a more “moderate” position. Lately, he’s decided that assisting illegal immigrants to become legal, non-citizen residents was more practical – and politically expedient. Most recent, he said, “[For the GOP] to win, we better start figuring out ways to message our beliefs in a way that gives people hope that everybody will be included in the progress that comes.” Note that Jeb Bush said the GOP needed to change its message and rhetoric, not its actions. Meaning, “we simply need to get into office, and then do what we want, not what other’s want.”
GOP candidates siding with Bush include Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul. Standing in Trump’s camp is, ironically, Ted Cruz – himself an immigrant from Canada, born to parents from Cuba. Others, like Chris Christie and Scott Walker aren’t talking about it at the moment, waiting to see which way the political winds are blowing.
The immigration issue is not of great significance to Democrats and Progressives, compared to the far more pressing matters of income inequality, growing poverty and the environment. However, it could very well wind up becoming the final nail in the GOP’s coffin. George W. Bush got a whopping 44% of the Hispanic vote. Romney got only 27%. Currently, the Hispanic community is growing, particularly in battleground states such as Colorado, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico. Trump’s rhetoric is not endearing the GOP to that demographic.
But by all means, Donny – keep shooting your mouth off. Progressives standing with Bernie Sanders will be riding your paranoia and racist bombast all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue next year. To quote one of the worst lines ever written for a feature film screenplay (allegedly cut from the 1949 classic Sampson and Delilah), “Your tongue shall dig your grave.”
K.J. McElrath is a former history and social studies teacher who has long maintained a keen interest in legal and social issues. A writer of historical fiction as well, he also composes music for film and theater, periodically performing as a pianist and singer with his wife, Athena.
This is they only year they could no longer ignore it.
The jig is up for them.
“Trump is fanning the flames of racism and xenophobia among his Republican base. His strategy is to use anti-immigrant hysteria in order to win the White House next year.”
I guess it was “xenophobia”, “racism”, and “hysteria” that got the woman killed in San Francisco...at least as they see it.
I still say it was an ILLEGAL ALIEN that did it.
>>The primary divide within the GOP on immigration is primarily between two factions. One faction consists of xenophobic populists (such as Trump and Cruz) who want to keep immigrants out altogether. <<
False dichotomy (and numerous other fallacies). I did not read past this lie.
The true people who love America want to keep ILLEGAL ALIENS out and send those here ILLEGALLY back home.
Next time, remember to post the BARF ALERT.
That's not a "Barf Alert" to you?
It’s just an ugly rumor that McElrath parks an Audi in his second chin.
That's no Audi!
Illegal aliens are not immigrants.
The only people who have earned the title of immigrant are those who apply to be an immigrants. They apply, wait their turn, pay their fees, comply with the laws, learn the language and become Americans.
That is an immigrant.
People who sneak in or overstay a visa are illegal aliens.
Illegal aliens ignore all the laws.
They use fraudulent documents.
They collect benefits they are not entitled to.
They are citizens of other countries who broke into our country. Most other countries deport illegal aliens.
So should we.
Go ¡Yeb!
For Presidente of North Mexico.
What this election really means for the GOP is if they don’t side with the citizens and the rule of law, they will cease to exist.
The purpose of the GOP in 2015 is to prevent the citizens from stopping The Cheap Labor Express.
They intend to nominate ¡Yeb! Bush and try to force people to vote for amnesty.
They will fail.
I will not vote to turn the U.S.A. into North Mexico.
>>That’s not a “Barf Alert” to you?<<
Res ipsa loquater — good point.
A little off my game today I guess.
Why Immigration is the Key Platform Issue for Republicans This Year
Because Trump started telling the truth about it and everybody is now in an uproar...
Actually, it backfired. The GOP heard one comment they didn’t like, OK Democrats too...
Politicians are all talk and no action
They can’t really talk about that, they can’t defend it, they can’t dispute his accurate claims of incompetence, so they needed a smokescreen. They just didn’t expect it to turn out to be THE hot button issue of the election.
Illegal immigration was a side issue, nobody was really talking about it, giving it lip service if anything, they thought it was a safe way to blast Trump and make themselves look better. It backfired in a big way, now it’s all they can talk about. And only partially because Trump didn’t cave the way they expected, a couple of other things happened. The public picked up on Trumps comments and liked what he says, and an illegal immigrant already deported 5 times killed an innocent woman. That made Trump right, which they really really didn’t like...
And the more they attack the higher he goes in the polls...
So now it’s the hot button issue that will probably dominate the entire campaign. Gone are the days they can focus on Obamacare, economy, climate change...
I told you this would be interesting...
Can someone tell me when Delaware became part of Cuba?
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I spotted this dufus’ error, too. Failed to research to find that Ted’s mom was a native US citizen.
2DV...I’m amazed that you have the stomach to go to sleazy sites, read the garbage and post it on FR for our entertainment or disgust.
When you were in the Navy, did you ever attend a “Know Your Enemy” class or film?
I guess this fop thinks that Delaware is part of Cuba - “One faction consists of xenophobic populists (such as Trump and Cruz) who want to keep immigrants out altogether. They express fear that immigrants are coming to steal jobs, commit crimes, and reduce the power and influence of white people.” was the point where pushing the flush lever became an obvious necessity.
As with most liberals, this writer is lying to frame the discussion dishonestly. The opposition to illegal immigration has almost nothing to do with opposition to immigration - it's opposition to the criminal activity. I consider illegal immigration a serious crime, but I have no problem with legal immigration when limited to a rate approved by Congress and individuals with skills that our elected representatives choose to allow into our country.
Just reading that excerpt was painful. I cannot imagine clicking on the link and subjecting myself to more such idiocy.
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