SB1160 is NOT the issue as far as I can see from reading the replies from Americans opposed to giving driver licenses to ILLEGAL aliens.
The governor's support of giving driver licenses to ILLEGAL aliens IS THE ISSUE, however. SB1160 is just one small wannabe bill.
Mr. Hogue is actually debating the host on that other local station here in Sacramento. He is the one talking about SB1160 and its alleged support. He is saying the things that Mr. Hogue is debating here.
Governor Schwarzenegger unequivocal support of drivers' licenses for "undocumented" workers is sourced throughout this thread. The governor's support of giving driver licenses to ILLEGAL aliens IS THE ISSUE not SB1160. One poster located the audio of his declarations. Others of us posted the usual mundane quotes. Now, if the governor reverses then we citizens have done our duty!
Eric, when you are ready to discuss "political strategy" lets talk about the Republicans’ plan to attract Hispanic voters. Notice I said Hispanic voters. Americans of Hispanic origin are Americans, something that the mainstream Republicans cannot understand. They are just as likely to be turned off by the "Hispanic plan" as we Irish would be outraged by millions of ILLEGAL immigrants from Ireland who will not let go of their Irishness.
That discussion will be very interesting. Who will you mainstream Republicans cast aside? Us "ultra" conservatives or millions of "regularized" aliens?
And Sabertooh, your "The #187 backlash is a media myth" is exactly right. That too would be a nice thread but be advised that Mr. Hogue's good buddy, one of the best and brightest Sacramento Bee brains, Daniel Weintraub has told Mr. Hogue that 187 is bad and Republicans had better be careful.
I would like to know what Mr. Hogue meant by asking "What has happened to the GOP since the 'hishandling' of Prop 187...not the content of 187, but the mishandling of the messaging and the rhetoric" Mr. Weintraub apparently told Mr. Hogue how racist was the manner that Former Gov. Pete Wilson showed his support for Prop 187. BS.
Oh dear! I'm still out of place...
Arnold campaigned as an 'outsider', saying that he would not be the 'ordinary' politician. If what Mr. Hogue implies is true, Arnold is even more of a politician than we have seen before (meaning he spins and lies more than the 'ordinary' politician). I guess that makes him an extraordinary politician.
If SB 1160 is ultimately killed, and this is all interim game-playing to demonstrate Arnold's support of immigrants (illegal and legal) and to secure their vote for himself and/or GWB, then perhaps he achieves that myopic objective. But at the same time, he loses trust and support from those who still believe that he supports any Republican values. A Field Poll released September 10, 2003 showed that 83% of Republicans opposed giving licenses to illegal aliens. 84% of those voters supporting Schwarzenegger (from all parties) were also opposed. (Link to Field Poll - PDF File). As Schwarzenegger may gain support from the hispanic community, he will alienate a large proportion of his base.
The Save187 campaign is in its last ditch efforts to gather signatures for its initiative (deadline April 15). In part, their success depends on voters understanding that bills such as SB 1160 are a threat. It appears to me that arguments like Mr. Hogue's are intended to dispel that threat temporarily and to undermine the success of Save187.
Someone on this thread (or the prior Hogue thread) directly asked Mr. Hogue if he had supported the initiative or had signed the petition. There was no response. He also failed to respond to any of my posts to him, which presented facts negating his statements.
Between now and April 15, every time SB 1160 is downplayed by media touts such as Mr. Hogue, people should go gather more signatures for Save187. Petitions for Save187 can be downloaded HERE.