Republicans warn of party split over immigration

THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | 12/03/04 | Stephen Dinan

[gubamyster]

By Stephen Dinan

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

When House Republicans blocked the intelligence overhaul bill two weeks ago, some congressional Republicans say they were showing President Bush he will split the party if he goes ahead with his broader immigration-reform plan.

"It would cause a break in the party that would be extremely unhealthy for the party," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, Colorado Republican and chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus. "I can tell you right now, the feelings are deep. This is not a superficial argument with the president.

"We were all willing to shut up during the campaign. We were not going to attack the president. But the campaign is over with and the gloves are off on this issue," Mr. Tancredo said.

He echoed the sentiments of several Republicans who emerged from a House Republican Conference discussion Nov. 20 on the intelligence bill, which they insist include strict national standards to ensure illegal aliens don't acquire driver's licenses.

[MissAmericanPie]

There should be a total chasm between the Republican Congress and the President on this issue. From personal experience, I can tell you we are out here all alone in dealing with terrorist threats.

The only Terrorist tip line in Texas in is El Paso and they only deal with El Paso. Homeland Security is a bad joke when you need to report troubling individuals making thinly veiled threats to customers at your place of business.

[steplock]

Washington seems to be finally getting the message from the LEGAL citizens/residents/immigrants on the United States of America.

OBEY OUR LAWS OR ELSE!

[steplock]

What is erroneously called the "religious right" IS America!

We are a nation formed by believers in GOD! We are NOT a theocracy but we live by the WORD.

[jveritas]

And we already have over 200 comments...

Unbelievable.

[Ron H.]

Ah yes, anyone who disagrees with you is a troll

Ahemmm. Well, if the shoe fits, then .....

[COEXERJ145]

And we already have over 200 comments...

Unbelievable.

Not really considering the rabid obsessions certain people show every time a thread like this comes up.

[jpsb]

Immigration policy might split the Democrats too.

[Dan from Michigan]

Agree on immigration, especially among the blue collar backers.

(2) The religious right's social agenda.

In what way. I don't necessarily disagree, but I hear a lot of talk about the "Religious Right" without what it is.

I will say that the censorship push by SOME of them will hurt us as bad as the gun issue is hurting the democrats.

[jpsb]

Now you know why they call it the Stupid party. Rats are the evil party, some choice huh, well stupid is better then evil but just barely.

[Ron H.]

Yes, alot of us voted for GWB because we had no choice. But, he sure has veered off to the left since the election.

Sorry but I'm sure you'd like to believe that but he hasn't changed his position on his Guest Worker program proposal. He actually reintroduced it last January but it floated like a brick in the Congress back then. So please, don't pretend this is something new he deviously sprung on Conservatives all of a sudden.

Some of us around here have been discussing this and raising public awareness on this for at least that long if not longer. His very own patsy, Texas Jr. Senator John Cornyn, actually introduced it for him to the Senate back in July of the previous year and is still carrying his water for it for him there.

[mickie]

"don't pretend this is something new he deviously sprung on Conservatives all of a sudden".

When did I say this?

[Dan from Michigan]

Just a few examples: pushing for prayer in schools, fights to include the teaching of creationism in public schools, the ten commandments in schools and courthouses, increased obscenity prosecutions and (in her case, but not mine) attempts to outlaw abortion.

I'm a hardliner on abortion. It's not as much a religious issue to be but actually a libertarian one (governing use of force by one being over another). That said, I don't see a ban on it, and the only way I expect to see it gone completely is by a social movement where it phases out.

As for the 10 commandments and prayer in schools - I don't believe they should be forced on anyone, but on the same note I have a big problem with the censorers on this as well.

Furthermore, I'm a "soft" opponent of gay marriage- I do not want to see gay marriage forced upon us by the courts, but I think states should be allowed to decide the issue for themselves (so long as other states can opt to ignore gay marriages from states that do allow it).

Agree 100% there, as well as the "indecency" prosecutions.

[Ron H.]

re: #208 But, he sure has veered off to the left since the election.

Do you mean that you didn't say this to mean what I read it to mean? Either you misspoke or I misunderstood your intent here. Either way we all need to be clear on this.

[jveritas]

I think that many Buchananites on FR do a search on "Immigration" topics every hour of the day so they can post and spew their hate toward President Bush.

[COEXERJ145]

I think that many Buchananites on FR do a search on "Immigration" topics every hour of the day so they can post and spew their hate toward President Bush.

LOL! I wouldn't be surprised.

[Mr. Mojo]

If it makes you both feel better to believe that the majority of President's Freeper critics on this one particlar issue are 3rd party voters, then by all means continue to believe it. Just don't confuse your delusion with reality.

I voted for the President despite the fact that I disagree with the administration's position on immigration, and don't regret my vote for a second.

[winker]

This issue is going to separate "REPUBLICANS" from CONSERVATIVES once and for all! There is a difference here people and rest assured a San Andreas Fault will open up over this issue.

The President could not be more wrong if he tried; and he ain't trying very hard. Tancredo and the rest of us will eat his lunch and the sack it comes in. The absolute hypocracy flowing in high political circles will have to answer some critical tough questions for not voting the will of the people on this.

Speaking personally I have written two e-mails to both of Texas's Senators and I have yet to receive a response from them and I know the reason they are Republicans not Conservatives. They are "Rino-Repubs" not willing to address the real issues before us. They will rule the day for not doing so, and it is not going to be pretty. Down here in Texas we real TEXICANS call it a "MESKIN STANDOFF" and it gets ugly real quick!

[jveritas]

Mr. Mojo

I am very glad that you voted for President Bush and thank you for that. However neither COEXERJ145 nor myself are delusional.

We are just stating the facts that Buchananites, vast majority of them became 3rd party voters in the last 4 years, hate President Bush, and they always use the "imigiration issue" to bash him.