Posted on 03/29/2006 9:01:48 PM PST by Giant Conservative
The immigration and security debate, which has sparked huge demonstrations in recent days by Hispanic residents of cities around the country, comes at a crucial moment for both parties.
Over the last three national elections, persistent appeals by Mr. Bush and other Republican leaders have helped double their party's share of the Hispanic vote, to more than 40 percent in 2004 from about 20 percent in 1996. As a result, Democrats can no longer rely on the country's 42 million Hispanic residents as a natural part of their base.
In a lunch meeting of Senate Republicans this week, Senator Mel Martinez of Florida, the only Hispanic Republican in the Senate, gave his colleagues a stern warning. "This is the first issue that, in my mind, has absolutely galvanized the Latino community in America like no other," Mr. Martinez said he told them.
The anger among Hispanics has continued even as the Senate Judiciary Committee proposed a bill this week that would allow illegal immigrants a way to become citizens. The backlash was aggravated, Mr. Martinez said in an interview, by a Republican plan to crack down on illegal immigrants that the House approved last year.
The outcome remains to be seen.
Polls show large majorities of the public both support tighter borders as a matter of national security, and oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants. Many working-class Democrats resent what they see as a continuing influx of cheap labor.
The stakes are enormous because Hispanics now account for one of every eight United States residents, and for about half the recent growth in the country's population.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
By 2008, illegal aliens will be allowed to vote.
Like they have done with the Black vote for decades. "Vote for us and we will make your life better". Yeah, right!
Of course, lately, the Republicans seem to be taking for granted their base also, particularly the Christian base.
We are packed to the gunnels with ILLEGALS and our government is pandering to them because of their large numbers?
I'm living in a parallel universe....
I'm waiting for the headline "GOP Risks Conservative Votes On Immigration", because unlike this article it would be based in reality.
Pardon my ignorance, but do we even have Hispanic votes anyway?
I'm skeptical that all latin/hispanic people are on the open border side. Supporting the GOP is all for not if you don't support a secure border. This issue isn't small, and must be accountable. Losing support because of this doesn't cause fear in me, but losing out on making legislation does.
Illegal aliens can't vote.
LOL, yes they can and do.
The pro illegal immigrant supporters are in general black hating racists. The GOP should use immigration to split Blacks from the Democrat party.
ROTFLMAO!
Certainly. At least three out of every ten.
It stands to be a real winner for us.
Yes and it will hurt when we lose both of them.
Illegal aliens SHOULDN'T vote.
Most hispanics are against illegal immigration
"Question: How can a person prove his or her citizenship?
Answer: California Elections Code § 2111 states, "A person may prove he or she is a citizen by his or her certification under penalty of perjury on the affidavit of registration (for voter registration purposes only)."
Do you really believe that is a safeguard?
NO THEY DON'T THIS IS FALSE
HISPANIC REPUBLICANS WILL REMAIN HISPANIC REPUBLICANS EVEN MORE SO.
TRUST ME ON THIS.
"Most hispanics are against illegal immigration"
Any source that can prove that true...would be great to read. Any?
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