President's Temporary Worker Program Angers Arizona's Conservatives

The Arizona Conservative ^ | 8 January 2004 | Dennis Durband

[Spiff]

Looks like Bush has stirred up a hornets nest with his IDIOTIC proposals. I hope he and Karl Rove get the message. We don't want this crap!!!

[Spiff]

ping

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[KantianBurke]

A pissed off conservative base + an energized Demorat Dean campaign ='s Bush spending alot more time at his Midland ranch come 2005.

[Pest]

President Bush has angered conservatives in Arizona and seriously damaged his chances for re-election by introducing on Wednesday a Temporary Worker Program for illegal aliens.

So who are conservatives going to vote for instead of Bush? Even if it does anger conservatives, I'd be willing to bet it doesn't hurt his chances of winning. In fact, I'd bet that it increases his chances of getting more moderate voters.

I don't think it's good policy, but I also don't think it's bad politics.

[gubamyster]

ping

[KantianBurke]

There might be a straw coming that'll break the conservative camel back permanently:

Sunset's coming...or is it Mr President?

[SAMWolf]

Conservatives get dumped on again, Bump

[SolutionsOnly]

***"I don't think it's good policy, but I also don't think it's bad politics."***

That's the short term perspective. For the long run, good policy equates to good politics. The disarray of the Democratic Party is in large part a cummulative result of pandering for short term advantage.

[Captain Kirk]

They know that conservatives can be taken for granted and that when the election comes they will vote "the right way." Hence, contrary to your statement, Rove has no reason to care.

[King Black Robe]

It is the American taxpaying citizen who supplies the dollars to keep the government engine alive. As of today, all citizens will want to rethink the benefits being heaped on non-citizens at their expense to the detriment of our nation and its legacy."

That's my major complaint. Bush is not acknowledging the real cost of this "compasssion." If our goal is to help these families, we could do it cheaper in their own country. But really, that isn't our goal. The real point is to find a sneaky way to give tax dollars to certain businesses. Worker for worker, we the taxpayer pay out more than the company.

[Captain Kirk]

Straw that breaks the camel's back? Forget it. Since 9-11, conservatives have been in Bush's hip pocket and he knows it.

[texastoo]

This conservative will be looking for a conservative candidate. Can you suggest one?

[ravingnutter]

Karl Rove, senior advisor to the president, is actively seeking a challenger to oppose Colorado Republican Cong. Tom Tancredo in the Nov. election.

I don't believe this, where are they getting their info?

Also, I can't believe so many people have forgotten a basic fact that I learned in elementary school...the President does not make law, Congress does! Bush's plan will be in the cross-cut shredder the minute it hits Congress. There are currently two bills being considered, one in the Senate and one in the House:

House Version Sponsored by Tom Tancredo of CO

Senate Version Sponsored by John Cornyn of TX

Tancredo's plan puts the military on the border until we can train enough border patrol, increases the border patrol and detention centers, ends the "anchor child" problem, increases penalties and bonds and much more. We need to forget about Bush's plan and get on the Tancredo bandwagon by writing our Congress-critters!

[hsmomx3]

I got a call from the RNC yesterday asking me if I wanted to donate $$$. I told him no, and that I was furious with this illegal proposal. He said that a lot of people have voiced their anger over this.

[hsmomx3]

Rove sounds like a snake. I hope and pray Tancredo wins the next election in a landslide.

[Pest]

At this point, I think it would have to be a pretty big straw. Personally, I think the weapons ban may do it. Especially since the NRA was instrumental in getting GW elected in 2000.

Maybe I'm wrong though. I think GW has garnered a lot of moderate support over the last 3 years.

Does GW really need the hard-core conservative vote to win the election?

[Pest]

That's the short term perspective. For the long run, good policy equates to good politics.

I agree. However, Bush is only concerned with the next 10 months right now. He can concentrate on the long term after he is elected. I'm not saying it's right, but it's the way the game is played. I think most Americans are generally happy with the status quo. They will only mobilize if something major happens. I think BJ Clinton mobilized a huge number of people to vote Republican. We even saw the effect in the 2002 elections. However, I think Bush's job as President had a huge impact on that also.

[MissAmericanPie]

The way he's going he may not carry Texas and certainly shouldn't.

[Pest]

the President does not make law, Congress does!

Exactly. The Pres. can safely send out a proposal like this knowing that it will get shot down. This way he looks like the hero on one hand and doesn't get blamed for bad policy on the other.