You always are good about calling or writing Phil!
They worry about losing the Mexican vote by doing something about the illegals but are losing their whole 'base' voters over the illegals being 'illegal'!!
But now it seems to me that he (and other politicos of all purported stripe) are simply applying their Rule Number One (Be the electee, not the also-ran).
Bush pretended toughness with his you're with us or with the terrorists bluster, but when real toughness is required to simply enforce the nation's (uh, that would be the United States of America, not Iraq or Afghanistan) borders, he is firm as guacamole.
It doesn't take much weakness to prompt the mobs to hit the streets and engage in beatings and vandalism (news, internet).
There are billions and billions to squander on Medicare waste, fraud and abuse, but not a dime for a decent barrier at our border.
Why bother with x-rays at ports when twenty million simply walked in from the south?
Why continue to harrass and humiliate the millions of U.S. citizens flying commercial airlines when a million illegals a year flow across the porous sham which is our southern sovereignty?
The Republican leadership appears to come into focus as a cynical cartel specializing in lip service, leaving the rank-and-file to "do the work the country club set won't do."
There's not a clear-cut stand on principle to be found--yet.
The leaders have to be shown the way first.