Posted on 04/16/2006 11:47:35 AM PDT by wagglebee
Newt Gingrich, the architect of the 1994 GOP Revolution, is warning that Republicans in Congress better "get their act together" and pass tough new laws against illegal immigration - or the Democrats will win back the House and Senate in November.
Appearing on "Fox News Sunday," the former House Speaker scorched his successors for a lack of performance across a whole range of issues, but zeroed in on what he called "the debacle two weeks ago on immigration."
"The [Senate's] McCain-Kennedy bill and the compromise that followed is so far from what the average American wants," Gingrich said, "that it raises the danger of Republican [voters] staying home."
The one-time top Republican noted that in poll after poll, the public has demanded tougher border security and reforms like a voter ID card, saying it would be easy to put Democrats on the defensive on the illegal immigration issue.
"I'd be perfectly happy for the Senate Republicans to bring up a border control bill and have Hillary and Schumer try to stop it," Gingrich told Fox.
"Sometimes incumbents forget that we were sent here to reform Washington, we were not sent here to be co-opted by Washington," he added. "For Republicans to succeed in '06 and '08 we need real change."
"The question for Republicans in the next 90 days is: Are they going to become the party of real change?" Gingrich said. "Are they going to learn some lessons and get their act together?"
I wish GWB would get on the right side on this one.
Indeed, especially bearing in mind the old trueism: All politics is local. Still, we could lose the Senate.
Which in the final analysis means Bush is the culprit. These are both enforcement issues that are within the purview of the executive.
Why is Congress even debating the issue? Bush needs to demonstrate why conservatives should continue to support him and, by extension, the GOP.
Looking at history it was the Republicans that freed the slaves and we see how many blacks vote Republican don't we. You gain nothing in absolute terms by pandering to a population. The republicans lost the black vote over the next 100 years because of its stance on issues. When it comes to politics people have a short term memory. It's what have you done for me lately. The Latinos are not going to say 40 years from know I vote republican because they allowed my grandparents amnesty. They are going to vote on the issues of the day.
one word and these will never happen veto.
I just wish that Bush would remember too.
Nobody's concerned with GOP voters turning to Dems. That's not necessary for the Dems to win. It doesn't matter what the Dems do, they get 45% of the vote automatically. The GOP has to get their base out to win. Period. If they don't, they will LOSE.
Yes, he is.
Never thought Newt was stupid. Morally questionable, but stupid, no.
I see Polipundit has linked the FR poll to their site as an example of what may await Republicans. As per usual ONE of the contributors to that site is blasting the results. LOL Poli is on the correct path though.
Let's cut away most of the flimsy arguments.
Everyone knows if we stay home Democrats win close or moderately close races Reps would ordinarily win. Meaning they could take the Majority. No one is unaware of what that means. Impeachment hearings, troops home, tax hikes, you name it. And they'll attempt to make it impossible for Republicans ever to win again.
The flip side to that argument? I no longer trust Republicans to a) not impeach if it politically suited them in short term b) they still haven't made tax cuts permanent c) Republicans weaselly were trying to bring our troops home in Warner's resolution for this year and tacked on comfort provisions for our housed terrorists.
How about judges? They betrayed us with the fourteen pact and we had to fight with 55 in the Senate just to get Alito. What have they done to convince me if another retires they'll allow the pivotal fifth confirmation of the type of Justice we exect? Nothing.
I mean...we can go down the list of (theoretically) why I should vote Rep, but no one can retrieve TRUST. Without trust all I hear is campaign rhetoric that clashes with their actions IN office and makes it far easier to accept Dems in control. Threats of what Dems will do in office is meaingless because, basically, there are a lot of people like myself that have some doubts that the Reps would do anything much differently. Maybe on a slower pace.....but I just don't trust them and they can't repair that with a campaign platform. They can only repair that by taking actions to restore faith.
Enforcing border security would be a big step toward doing that. breaking the filibusters on Judges would be a big step toward doing that. Voting for a constitutional amendment on marriage that they KNOW will not receive a 2/3rd's vote of the chamber does NOT do that. It's fluff. It means next to nothing to me.
And for people that state anyone HAS to vote for Republicans...LOL
Refresher coarse in our system of government is needed. We don't have to DO anything to keep ANY party in power. Politicians are to represent their constituents. Not the MSM, not mexico's citizens (Note I do NOT use the term Hispanic but refer to actual citizens of MEXICO), not their "civil" brotherhood in the Congress. Not lobbyists, but their voting CONSTITUENTS back home. If they don't do that, those constituents don't have to vote for them. They aren't entitled to our votes when they arrogantly stomp on our wishes.
Obviously I've got some issues with the Party. But then I'm not a Republican either. Despite that I do NOT want this President impeached. I respect him. I disagree strongly right now with him on immigration, but I love the man still. And I've overlooked a lot for a) the WOT and b) Judiciary. I'd swallow even this amnesty kick if I TRUSTED the Republicans not to impeach this Prez and NOT withdraw from the WOT.
But I don't trust them. And it is not MY Fault I don't trust them. For folks angry at this line of talk, be angry at the people in Congress. We aren't talking one or two issues of disagreement. They have been throwing up their middle finger on EVERYTHING the base cares about the last two years. Even the confirmations of Alito and Roberts WE had to press them to make happen.
I have some advice for the Republicans in Congress. Stop talking. Start acting. Do something substantive to repair damage you've made on a key issue to this base. Do that as an act of Faith, and you'll be rewarded in kind. And I come back to judges because it's the easier way to undo some damage and prove yourselves. It only takes 50 plus Cheney to break the filibusters. Whereas with legislation you need 60 and that Ain't going to be allowed by the Dems so you can make good with us again. neither will a border enforcement only bill be allowed by the Dems, even if you corraled all the RINO's and got right on this issue.
End the filibusters and you'll restore some of the trust you've lost.
I think the immediate need is to get some meaningful feedback from the conservative base. What do you think of my suggestions in replies 161 and 163? Particularly 163.
Me: "The best answer is NEITHER. Seal the border to stem the tide, and enforce the law"
You: "Which in the final analysis means Bush is the culprit. These are both enforcement issues that are within the purview of the executive. "
I dont agree with that analysis. When we say 'enforce the law' we mean the immigration law, but the enforcement mechanisms required are not there IN the law. Specifically, employer sanctions and methods for employment verification is not there. We have pilot programs, and they work, but we need to roll that out widely.
Congress is debating this issue because the purse strings and the regulatory framework is set up by Congress. Example abound, like the many hidden amnesties in the law, like the ease of document fraud and lack of funded mechanisms to verify employment eligibility, etc.
Under Bush, the Border Patrol has increased 60% and 6 million border crossers were turned back. Enough? Hardly, but any further executive action would be insufficient without fixing the law itself. JMHO.
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