Immigration Rising on Bush's To-Do List

LA Times ^ | July 24, 2005 | By Peter Wallsten and Nicole Gaouette

[SC33]

Immigration Rising on Bush's To-Do List The White House wants to build a coalition to court Latinos and marginalize hard-liners. By Peter Wallsten and Nicole Gaouette, Times Staff Writers WASHINGTON — Worried that the tone of the immigration debate is pushing Latinos away from the Republican Party, the White House is working with political strategists to create a broad coalition of business groups and immigrant advocates to back a plan President Bush could promote in Congress and to minority voters in the 2006 elections.

[Now_is_The_Time]

Open the borders in exchange for votes, that is the solution to this political conundrum.

[SouthernFreebird]

Sorry, but I know hard liner democrats who are sick and tired of the open borders. I doubt this is an issue that is going to come down to repubs vs democrats.

[SC33]

If the White House sells us out like this, then we deserve to be called the party of Corporate America.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Worried that the tone of the immigration debate is pushing Latinos away from the Republican Party

Immigration and borders could be handled in a manner that the hispanic population could respect. After all, those who immigrated legality are losers when illegal immigration is allowed to proceed without limit. The main problem is that any step taken will be demonized by the democrats. And whipped into a frenzy of republican bashing. The average hispanic will fall for this scree because they are tuned into the democratic version of handouts. The republicans are correct to take a careful position here, and it is not because they want cheap labor for their hotels and ranches. (Although they take these benefits if they can.)

[DTogo]

"There's two voices right now, and the noisy one is what I call the slam-the-borders crowd," Armey said. "The voice we want to speak with — and the one that will be in unison with President Bush — is the voice that echoes those marvelous words on the Statue of Liberty."

What a load of crap! The "slam-the-borders crowd" wants them slammed so we can the begin an orderly entry process, not to keep people out forever.

"To me, the Tancredo wing appeals to the more prurient character of our nature," Armey added. "We want to talk to the better angels of our nature."

He means the greedy/vote-pandering angels.

Organizers say the new coalition is patterned after groups formed to press for Bush's overhaul of Social Security and his successful 2003 push for a Medicare prescription drug program — a new aspect of Republican strategy in which corporations and other interest groups are tapped to help move public opinion in favor of a policy initiative.

Social security, what a waste of time and "political capital" that's been so far, while gas prices soar over $2.50/gal. And prescription drugs? Another Big Govt. vote-pandering to seniors.

Admission into the new coalition costs between $50,000 and $250,000. The proceeds are expected to pay for a political-style campaign for an approach to immigration that combines heightened border security with a guest-worker program of some sort, creating an environment that the White House believes will be more favorable for Bush to step back into the fray.

So our C-i-C in the War on Terror is scared to "step back into the fray" on securing his own country's borders??

Tancredo accused the administration of forging an alliance with business executives who view migrants as a path to greater profits.

Bingo! And the rest of us soon-to-be minimum wage slobs will then have to vote Democrat, I guess, in order to get an increase.

[upchuck]

Here we go again with the "political solutions."

How 'bout something practical like more border patrols and stiff fines and jail time for companies that knowingly hire Criminal Aliens?

IMHO, the American people are getting fed up with Criminal Aliens running wild through our country.

Push WILL come to shove and it's gonna be ugly.

[raybbr]

The push is being planned to coincide with next year's campaigns for the House and Senate, in which Latino voters could be crucial in several states. It is part of a broader White House strategy to forge a long-lasting majority by drawing more minority voters.

If this is truly a push for minority support why are only latinos mentioned???

[dob]

Yea, the base needs to get out in force on this one. Otherwise, the RINO:s (Including Jeorge W Bush) might just need some of that third-party/stay-at-home treatment again.

My big secret fear on this one is that GWB is just PC to the core.

[Sybeck1]

"Worried that the tone of the immigration debate is pushing Latinos away from the Republican Party,.."


How about us white folk?

[raybbr]

A guest-worker program is favored by many Latinos and by businesses, many of them major GOP donors that depend on a steady flow of workers from Mexico and other countries.

Corporations and advocacy groups with a direct interest in immigration — including those who need skilled high-tech workers, farm laborers and university teaching assistants — are being aggressively targeted for membership. Those being courted include Microsoft Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and groups representing academic institutions, restaurants, hotels, landscaping firms, hospitals and nurses.

Why stop there? Let them all come in.

[dirtboy]

Worried that the tone of the immigration debate is pushing Latinos away from the Republican Party, the White House is working with political strategists to create a broad coalition of business groups and immigrant advocates to back a plan President Bush could promote in Congress and to minority voters in the 2006 elections.

Memo to President Bush - why don't you instead come up with a plan that you could promote to your FRIGGIN' BASE?!???

[TomGuy]

Worried that the tone of the immigration debate is pushing Latinos away from the Republican Party

Is the White House that out of touch with the American people?

Trying to grant amnesty and giving preferential treatment to illegals is driving Latinos away from the Republican Party. Those who came in legitimately through the system are as opposed to amnesty for illegals as most WASPs are. Someone needs to clue the White House in -- or they will be handing future elections back to the Democrats.

[SC33]

Frist
Washington, D.C.:
Office of Senator Bill Frist
202-224-3344
202-228-1264 (fax)

Nashville:
Office of Senator Bill Frist
Nashville Office
615-352-9411
615-352-9985 (fax)

DeLay
Washington DC Office
Ph. (202) 225-5951
Fax (202) 225-5241

Stafford, Texas District Office
Ph. (281) 240-3700
Fax (281) 240-2959

If we are going to complain about this here on this forum, then let's make sure they have to listen to us as well. Let them hear it. No amnesty! No Mckennedy Bill! You can compose your own letter and fax it for free on www.fairus.org

Personally, I support the Kyl/Cornyn Bill. I just think it is the best we are going to get.

[raybbr]

Now, the White House hopes to reinvigorate the drive for new immigration laws — but this time it wants to work in advance to ensure that the president is backed by a broad alliance of business and advocacy groups.

So much for Bush's convictions. He can't take the heat on his open borders agenda so he'll go to groups like la raza to help support him.

[politicalwit]

"If the White House sells us out like this, then..."

What do you mean "if"...it has already been done.

[SC33]

Go to this sit and support any way you can

http://www.latinoamericans.org/

[dob]

On another note, it is excellent that the open borders lobby feels compelled to start pushing back. It means we are making a dent. Just watching the debating climate on FR strongly indicates that support for open borders in the Republican base has evaporated. Now we just need to get that message upstairs, loud and clear.

[jwh_Denver]

Bush has never shown any other stance towards the open border issue. Do you really expect him to change now?

[dob]

"Personally, I support the Kyl/Cornyn Bill. I just think it is the best we are going to get."

True, for now. It's a good start at the very least.