[Racer1]

Leaders also represent the people who elected them. You would think he would catch on to the fact that most people want the immigration problem dealt with, and with no amnesty.

[x1stcav]

Most people I spoke with were underwhelmed by W's speech yesterday. Particularly galling were the multiple references to 'jobs Americans won't do'. They're missing the bigger picture in the West Wing. The base is becoming very disenchanted.

[GOPologist]

If anyone, regardless of party membership, wants to be the next president of the United States, then promise and honestly keep that promise, that all illegal immigrants will be kicked out and gasoline prices are more acceptable.

So there!!!

[reagan_fanatic]

Conduct the debate, he said, "in a respectful way that recognizes we are a nation of immigrants, that we have had a grand tradition in this country of welcoming people into our society."

Bush is hopelessly lost on this. I just don't see any way he'll change his stance on illegal immigration, period.

Leaders lead, but Bush has made a mockery of this statement.

[MamaTexan]

"It's an emotional debate, but one thing we cannot lose sight of is that we're talking about human beings, decent human beings," he said. "Massive deportation of the people here is unrealistic. It's just not going to work."

(sigh)

And the politicians dance and spin, fervently praying that the American People never understand the law well enough to discover exactly how badly they've been screwed.

[el_texicano]

"that recognizes we are a nation of immigrants"

This, Mr. President, is why people are p*ssed off. The issue is NOT over immigration or immigrants.

The issue is over ILLEGAL ALIENS being treated as full fledged American citizens when they have not earned that right. To be treated as total idiots like we can't tell the difference...THAT p*sses people off. Somebody is feeding you some real bad information.

The issue is security and after 911, you are NOT addressing it here at home. You haven't even demonstrated a willingness to try. And you have the audacity to tell us "Massive deportation of the people here is unrealistic. It's just not going to work."???? SHUT DOWN THE BORDER, Mr. President!!!!

DO NOT INSULT OUR INTELLIGENCE, Mr. President. We the electorate will not tolerate amnesty or guest worker programs until you have SHUT DOWN THE *@%$#* BORDER!

[RoadTest]

"he said, "in a respectful way that recognizes we are a nation of immigrants"

Nope. We are a nation of the 1. descendents of 2. assimilated 3. LEGAL immigrants, unless a few illegals got through. That's three things you are wrong about, Mr. President.

[taxed2death]

"Conduct the debate, he said, "in a respectful way that recognizes we are a nation of immigrants..."


Are we also a nation af lawbreakers and tax scofflaws?

Do we subscribe to selective law enforcement?

[HawaiianGecko]

In the county's Democratic stronghold of Santa Ana, the sentiments about Bush were even harsher. "The people here that already have their homes and property -- are they going to leave?" he said. "How are they going to get rid of 12 million people?"

Of course what this idiot doesn't realize is that the President agrees with him on deportation of 12 million.  This is a strange article. Not only does it contradict itself, but it sites evidence of this contradiction.  70% of Democrats agree with the President, yet they are even harsher?

70% of Democrats, most independents and 40% of Republicans agree with the man. If these statistics are correct, they clearly say that the President has captured the mood of the public, but being the San Francisco Chronicle they have to make it appear that the President is going against public opinion.

[Nonstatist]

That's what a leader does," Bush told a crowd of 450 business leaders

The apple really doesen't fall far from the tree. He's as tone deaf and arrogant as his old man. The Reps will lose 30 in the House and he will be impeached. And, I , for one, STILL think he's going to puff around as if HE was the principled one! A suck up to business interests that could give a sh!t about the "common" guy, or even what country they originate from. What an unbelievable dumba$$.

[America's Resolve]

he said, "in a respectful way that recognizes we are a nation of immigrants,

Man, this is straight out of the Dem's talking points.

Hide the bad stuff in with the good stuff then get them to swallow the good stuff.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION != LEGAL IMMIGRATION!!!!!

What's so difficult about this concept??

It's intuitively obvious to me that neither the President, nor the House or Senate GOP are in any way "conservative"

Just vote pigs. Anything for a vote.

[Protagoras]

He's on TV right now vilifying Oil companies. He is a Democrat.

And Democrats hate him and conservatives have abandoned him. Hence the popularity index in the 30's.

He sucks.

[marty60]

All the "brains" inthe WH can't figure out that the Presidents low approval is directly related to his coddling of the law breaking, social parasites, called illegal aliens.

[edcoil]

The Orange County Register -= the paper of record on Southern California had a different take and, a supportive OpEd.

www.ocregister.com

[mtntop3]

The herd's sanctimonious howls of indignation and self-rightousness on this thread notably and uniformly lack one prime element: setting forth in specific detail and specific cost, into the billions and billions of dollars, the actual and unending process by which every - every - illegal in the U. S., no matter how long here, is supposedly to somehow be located, taken into custody, publicly fed and housed, given a hearing(s), and ultimately deported IF appeals have not been filed, etc. etc..

You are going to have to take into consideration such quaint considerations as people concealing illegals - are these people, of which millions will be Anglos operating "underground railroads" also to be arrested, and then imprisoned??

And, yes, you must take such quaint realities in mind as, for instance, that we are engaged, and will be engaged for scores of years, in a defining and deadly struggle of survival with radical Islam and emerging neo-Communism in South America that is going to require a major share of our resources, both manpower and financial.

It will do little good to engage in a feverish, all-consuming, inwardly-focusing, backwardly-looking search for every single illegal Hispanic man, woman and child in the U. S. while the outside world in such places as the Middle East and South America is taken over by terrorists and tyrants who are hell-bent on killing us. Nothing would please them more than our turning aside and inward to feverishly and single-mindedly devote all and every attention to nothing more than illegal immigrants, as great a problem as this truly is.

The President knows this. There has to be some means of getting the present illegals to come forth to gain rightful citizenship, thus removing the criminal element, while ensuring that border security is expanded exponentially.

[HitmanLV]

He seems to have no grasp that most people (dem and GOP) have lost confidence in his leadership ability. A majority are unhappy with immigration and his handling of Iraq.

I think he is slowly starting to 'get it' and adjusting, but man, he took his sweet time. It may be too late.

[varon]

"It's an emotional debate, but one thing we cannot lose sight of is that we're talking about human beings, decent human beings," ............

Hey Mr. President, we the citizens of the country whose laws you swore to uphold are decent human beings also. Mr. President, IMHO your first obligation is to your citizens not to those of other nations, especially if their presence here is a direct result of a crime (illegal entry).

What is wrong with the water in Washington??? When Iraq invaded Kuwait, the US and allies massed armies to drive the Iraqis out of Kuwait.
When Mexicans "invade" our country, instead of being pushed back, they're rewarded with citizenship! What are you people drinking there???

[sasafras]

"he said, "in a respectful way that recognizes we are a nation of immigrants, that we have had a grand tradition in this country of welcoming people into our society."

We are a nation of laws and legal, NOT ILLEGAL, immigrants. Bush has gone too far and the consequences are going to hurt the republican party and unfortunately America.

[ElPatriota]

Mr. President, respecfully... why don't you try to see the problem from the perspective of many Americans?... You might get it sir.

[savedbygrace]

"Massive deportation of the people here is unrealistic. It's just not going to work."

This administration, like the one before it, is doing almost NO deportation, massive or small. It isn't necessary to do mass deportation to accomplish acceptable results. But rounding up a thousand or so illegals, then turning them loose a few days later, isn't the answer, either.

Round up and deport a few hundred thousand over the course of eight to 12 months, and you'll put many of the rest of the illegals on the run, possibly back to Mexico.

But first, SECURE THE BORDERS.