Posted on 04/04/2006 1:33:50 PM PDT by poisonivy27
The Senate is expected this week to pass a guest-worker program along with border enforcement provisions. The combination of these two issues into one bill is guaranteed to maximize political damage to Republicans. The bill’s basic structure will likely maintain the McCain-Kennedy amnesty provisions, with some small modifications. It is less clear what border enforcement provisions it will ultimately contain. Least clear of all is its future in a House-Senate conference, where it could even die. The House-passed version includes no amnesty or guest-worker provision.
Because President Bush has insisted on a “comprehensive” bill that includes both provisions, Republicans will lose this debate no matter what happens. If they fail to pass a bill because of disagreements over the amnesty provision, it will be extremely embarrassing. If they pass a bill that is too lax, they will anger a significant portion of their base. It is highly unlikely that they will pass an enforcement-only bill and take up a separate amnesty bill.
McKinney Trumps National Security Plan
A Democratic “National Security Strategy” was unveiled last week, but the consensus is that the cliché-filled document fell flat. Devoid of creative thinking, it proposes to do almost exactly what the current administration is doing, with a few shots at Bush for “manipulating” intelligence to start the Iraq War.
Not only did it fall flat as a news story, but it was easily superseded as the major story of the day because of one Democratic member’s creation of a major distraction. Democrats are not happy that by assaulting a Capitol Police officer, Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) took the news spotlight. With her action and then her refusal to simply apologize and move on, McKinney at least threw the Democrats off-message. Even if the story itself is known and understood only by political junkies and insiders, it prevented constructive news coverage they could have used.
Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry (N.C.) is trying to extend the story’s shelf-life with a resolution commending the Capitol Police.
I hear you. But of course, what you say makes sense, and since when did sense carry the day in Congress? I have been saying all along they should pass border security, dust off their hands and call it a day. Let the fence be built, show that the border can be efficiently policed, and then talk about the 11 million (it's actually more like 11 million, plus the 34 million more over the next 10 years they would be entitled to bring in with them as relatives for "family reunification.")
When Republicans are in trouble, Reid always comes to the rescue: "We killed the Patriot Act."
This is a Bush effort--it's his gift to his sweetheart, Vicente.
He is a waffling POS with no core, other than the desire to rule a nation of peasants and illegal aliens; apparently like the rest of the GOP leadership.
He says:
Thus if our Congressional Democrats join selfishly in abetting another huge amnesty, they fail the trust which the vast majority of Americans put in our party for decades—from the time of FDR to the point at which those principles began to break down in the last decades of the 20th Century.
http://www.vdare.com/collins/060328_democrat.htm
"If he prevents a vote on the bill, he might just save the Republican party from itself"
So, are you saying that not introducing any bill and maintaining the same ( not doing enforcement )will benefit
the GOP in the fall elections?
If so, u will be suprised how many conservatives who will stay home. With the internet, the gutless senate, lead by gutless frist will not be able to get away with a two-card monty slight of hand on this issues.
I'm saying that the Amnesty with the promise of enforcement in the near future (but please don't hold your breath) bill that is in the Senate right now is probably worse than doing nothing this year.
The first step is enforcement. Without that, in another 20 years we'll have to figure out what to do with 30 million more illegals which cross between this amnesty and then. If we can keep the current 12 million illegals pretty close to that number, then in a couple of years we can figure out how to allow them to become legal immigrants or temporary workers. If we legalize them first, the "problem will be solved" and border enforcment will be neglected again.
What makes you think Novak wants this story to go away? He was explaining how the Dems shot themselves in the foot again like they do when ever they start to get traction. And if you think REp Pat McHenry isnt trying to extend the shelf life of the story for political reasons you are a fool. Of course he is and should be. You really dont think he is trying to pass a resolution just to commend the Capital Police because it is the right thing to do, do you? If you do, you are a sucker that will believe anything. Perhaps you even believe that the Dems latest Defense plan, a two page bulleted document stating objectives like capture Osama Bin Laden is a real plan.
I could not agree with you more. However, the GOP will not be able to delay any stricker enforcement laws and expect a portion of the base to get excited about voting in the fall. They have been delaying long enough. And a bill that dies will be seen by many (like myself as the same old status quo).
Unless a heavy duty enforcement law is enacted, many conservatives will stay home. Why give control of all three brances of Gov, when they, as a majority cannot produce?
Reid has just given the Republican's a gift by admitting they are going to block all amendments including making it a violation to allow Foreign Criminals a part of the guest worker program (if there is one).
Novak implies that the resolution keeps something alive that would otherwise have died by now. But as I stated, she hasn't even been arrested yet and the trial will be months away.
Speaking as a former Californian....Georgia is the best state around. : )
"Senate's Immigration Bill Is Republican Politicians' Worst Nightmare"
He's 100% right. The open borders elitists in the Beltway are undermining the grass roots of the party, and ensuring low turnout in the 2006 and 2008 elections.
We need to take back the Republican party from the elite. Even if that means the lawn goes unmowed at the Bethesda country club.
Today's challenge is akin to the efforts of the Rockefeller Republicans to take over the party in the 1960s. It's the same conflict outlined by Phyllis Schlafly in "A Choice, Not an Echo" (in 1964.)
If the Republicans in the Senate want to act like Democrats and reward law-breakers, there's just no incentive for conservatives like myself to vote for them.
poisonivy27
I will no longer vote for a Republican who does not strongly support effective enforcement of US boarders... __________________________________________________________
I completely agree. I will never vote for any demorat or McCain. I will not vote for any republican if they go for any type of amnesty. This is America and our language is English. Having to press 1 for English is when it should be press 1 for Spanish. I know that's a small point, but the whole situation is crazy.
No kidding. A rat fillibuster would be the best thing that could happen right now. I say charge right ahead with 4437 and take it to the rats. They have no choice. If they fillibuster, they're screwed. The public will turn on them like wolves.
And what gift has he given the GOP (who are the majority)
The gift not to pass more serious enforcement laws?
And you think that will be a gift?
A lot of conservatives will see that as another example of the GOP MAJORITY's inability to pass tougher law. After all, we are the majority. Whats the good of being the majority if the minority always defeats the majority.
And don't blame it on the RINO's. It is leaderships job to
do whatever it takes to keep the troops in line, like Delay did so well in the house.
I'd point out to "one termer" Lindsee that his enraged SC constituency votes, the WH does not.
Come 2008, it's gonna be, "Bye Lindsee, hope you enjoyed your one Senate term."
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