IMMIGRATION POLITICS: MARCHING MADNESS
(pro-aliens deranged conduct hurting cause)
By John Podheretz NY POST
SOURCE: http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/opedcolumnists/66798.htm
EXCERPT........things are moving rapidly in the direction of the immigration restrictionists. That may not be due to anything they've done or said. Rather, the idea that something has to be done about illegal immigration is in part due to politically deranged conduct on the part of those who claim to be working on behalf of illegal aliens.
The demonstrations - are politically incomprehensible. If their purpose is to influence the political debate in a direction favorable to the interests of illegal aliens, then their organizers are deluded. The rapidly rising concern about the issue is a clear indication that the first round of demonstrations a few weeks ago, featuring Mexican flags dominating American flags and wild talk about American imperialism, were self-defeating.
There is no chance on earth that Congress is going to adopt a wildly liberal set of policies on illegal immigration. ......the immigration interest groups and others seem intent on radicalizing the debate, in making it clear to many people who aren't yet committed to one side or the other on this issue that the pro-immigrant side is nuts and the anti-immigrant side is more sensible.
The direction all this will take in years to come is unknowable. It may align Hispanics with the Democrats in the long term. On the other hand, it may drive more Democratic voters of modest means into the Republican camp, offsetting the Democratic gain. No matter how you slice it, these demonstrations were and are a horrible mistake.