The democrats will be fools to oppose all this. ALL the polls, even the liberal ones taken about the border issue show that 70% to 80% or more of American CITIZENS want the border secured and illegals deported. That’s about 99% of conservatives and a significant number of the independents and the few rational democrats. If the democrats fight this, they will lose big for sure in November, as it will be so easy to paint them as anti-border security. This is awesome. Just my opinion, but I bet the Border Patrol story about them leaking Minuteman and other border watch group location and numbers to the Mexican Consulate is what made Bush have to get serious about this. He’s been in trouble about the border for a long time, but I think that might have pushed it over the edge.
I’ll bet over the next few weeks, his "approval" rating numbers go up 20 to 30%. The his conservative base, like me, is why it’s been so far down. I’d give him a favorable now. THAT is the President I voted for two times. The only thing that would make it even better the next few months would be Bin-Laden being found dead in Afghanistan, and Justice Stevens or Ginsburg retiring so the Democrats can froth at the mouth demanding a flaming liberal to take their place. A huge majority of the American people want what Bush put forward tonight. The Democrats took a big hit tonight with this speech.
Additionally, an effective physical barrier is needed from Brownsville to San Diego. Sensors and cameras are only useful when there are enough agents to apprehend the border crossers. Otherwise, they are like cameras at convenience stores, which at most can record the appearance of the lawbreaker. When the illegal migrant gets to Phoenix, Denver, Chicago, or wherever, he will blend into the large immigrant communities. Only a wall will work, and nothing less.
Additionally, the offering of a "guest worker" program will essentially permit those here illegally to stay here. The 11 million number is not realistic, as this number has stayed fixed for years despite massive illegal immigration. Furthermore, absent an effective means to curb illegal entry into the U.S., which the President's program does not offer, uncontrolled immigration will continue, curbed only by the limits of the Mexican and Latin American population who would immigrate.
In two and a half years, the President and First Lady will retire, possibly to a mansion in Highland Park or some other well-protected area of Dallas, living in the country club world that will provide them a safe and happy existence for the remainder of their days. The rest of us, especially in the Southwestern states, will suffer from the inundation of what was formerly an English-speaking, middle class nation and its ultimate conversion into the northernmost adjunct of Latin America.