[Modok]

Because they are feeling some heat on immigration and are circling their wagons.

[NormalGuy]

I'm a strongly pro-immigrant libertarian GOP activist. There are several pro-immigrant factions in the GOP big tent.
I'm in a faction with libertarians like Eric Dondero who trust the free market.
Dubya (and my local GOP leader) are compassionate social conservatives. They are pro-immigrant for the same reason they are pro-life.
A third faction are the Mercantilists whose companies benefit from a supply of labor that cannot be found without immigrants.
The Roveites don't want to alienate a voting block. Since my local compassionate conservative GOP leader and I have done very well with the local Hispanic and Indian vote, maybe we have two reasons.
And then there are the moderates in the GOP who are afraid someone will call them racist if they don't support immigration. They don't have the courage of any particular conviction.

Only a few in the last group would not welcome Tancredo in the big tent. We disagree on a point of policy. I don't like my tax money going to farm subsidies but I'm not trying to kick those misguided farm-state politicians out of the party. I'd only kick out the corrupt ones in the Illinois-bi-partisan-combine who line their pockets with taxpayer money.

It could be noted that those favoring more restrictions on immigration also probably have factions. A few are blatantly racist. But most are just nervous that the invisible hand of capitalism will not work and fear that the sky is falling.

[Jimbaugh]

I think that the Republican peasants are going to have to revolt and overthrow King George and the Prince Canon. I have run campaigns against Democrats but never against a Republican and in Cannons case I think he should be the number one target to show that it's time for a change.

Are there any people from Cannon's District that want to get rid of him? Contact me via freepmail.

[ran15]

"Because they are feeling some heat on immigration and are circling their wagons."

That is exactly it. Even myself who is a supporter of dramatically increasing legal immigration and educated foreigners coming in.. Can't support illegal immigrants.

[grania]

"I believe the Republican Party is with me on the issue," Tancredo said.

Tancredo should get a words-smith on his staff.

How much more effective it would've been if he had said:

I believe Republicans are with me on the issue, and, sadly, many of the office holders they elected have ignored their concerns.

Reminding the people that invasion cheerleader Canon has won in a primary challenge while Tancredo hasn't faced one is not helpful.

There's some momentum now. Those supporting the invasion are going to try to snarl Tancredo up defending himself against petty challenges. He should go on the offensive and start calling it an INVASION. The powers to be would sound really stupid and insensitive if they tried to explain that it isn't an INVASION, crossing borders the administration doesn't even choose to defend.