Posted on 05/24/2006 1:29:43 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - Call it an early, conservative rehearsal for the 2008 campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, three senators supporting a chance at citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants, one opposed and one waiting as long as possible to say.
"Some call it amnesty. I call it probation and parole," says Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback (news, bio, voting record), willing to push back against conservatives — many of whom presumably will vote in primaries and caucuses in 20 months' time.
"In poll after poll after poll, Americans support earned citizenship and a comprehensive solution," adds Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) of Arizona, echoing Brownback's view as well as the one espoused by President Bush.
But Sen. George Allen (news, bio, voting record), seeking re-election in Virginia as well as maneuvering toward a White House bid, begs to differ.
"There are a lot of practical, principled problems with this and I am not voting for this," he said recently as the Senate plodded toward a final vote on the bill. "It rewards illegal behavior."
On track for passage Thursday, the Senate bill includes provisions to enhance border security, create a new guest worker program and give millions of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship as long as they meet certain conditions.
The president has spoken in favor of the Senate's general approach, stirring opposition from some conservatives who insist the borders be secured first and deride the bill as an amnesty measure for millions of lawbreakers.
At this early date, immigration is one of a few high-profile issues that divides GOP presidential hopefuls. Most are sticking with Bush on the war in Iraq, for example, and all generally support his call for spending restraints.
Among Democrats, potential presidential candidates appear in agreement on immigration. They appear likely to vote for the bill, with its obvious appeal for Hispanics, the fastest growing segment of the electorate.
Republicans, too, court Hispanics. But they also must contend with conservatives who have spoken out forcefully against the Senate measure.
Their dilemma: Vote for the Senate bill, in line with overall national opinion, thus risking a backlash from conservatives who make up a large part of the party activists and will play a significant role in picking the party's nominee. Or, side with conservatives, oppose the bill and risk alienating the broader electorate.
At least three of five potential GOP presidential candidates — Brownback, McCain and Sen. Chuck Hagel (news, bio, voting record) of Nebraska — are betting the wiser vote is in favor of the bill.
All three used the same term, saying the measure reflects "a comprehensive approach" that the country wants — that is, legislation that focuses on securing the borders as well as dealing with the millions of illegal immigrants currently living within them.
McCain, whose GOP maverick streak masks his conservative credentials, pointed to public opinion.
Hagel, a Midwesterner, said the Senate is offering "a solid, responsible, comprehensive immigration reform bill" and "a responsible resolution to a difficult problem." Ironically, the state's Democrat, Sen. Ben Nelson (news, bio, voting record), criticized the bill in a Senate floor speech on Wednesday.
Brownback acknowledged a certain political risk in his position and said going against the conservative grain could hurt him.
Still, he said, "I believe as an economic conservative, as a social conservative, the right stance on this is to have a comprehensive immigration policy."
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., has yet to say how he will vote.
That leaves Allen as the lone declared opponent among presidential hopefuls.
Voters in Virginia are "overwhelmingly opposed to this," he said of the Senate bill. "They see this as amnesty. Until the borders are secured, this flood, this flow of illegal immigrants is down to a trickle, they don't think we ought to be rewarding illegal behavior."
Then there's another possibility, that the issue will fade.
"People are going to cast their votes this fall based on amnesty or legalization," said Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, who hails from Iowa, the site of the first presidential contest in 2008.
"Who knows about two years from now?"
It's essential for McCain to get a bill passed by Congress since he doesn't want amnesty to still be an issue in 2008 primaries. He wants it to be a fait accompli so that conservatives will think "I disagree with what McCain did, but they are legalized now so let's move on."
Gee....I must have missed that poll that showed massive support for amnesty.
1. McCain is nuts.
2. Frist is a poll-driven wuss.
3. Brownback is whoring himself to the agribusiness lobby that wants cheap labor.
Brownback never had a prayer of winning the nomination, i dont know why he even bothers.
Simple yet most in Congress can't comprehend it :)
The three will be lucky to get three delegates between them.
Frist is for this bill too isnt he?
yes he rolled over a month ago...
"They appear likely to vote for the bill, with its obvious appeal for Hispanics, the fastest growing segment of the electorate."
Ah, the "Hispanics" support amnesty racist white liberal assumption again. I thought that meme was killed off.
Anyway this bill targets Americans of color disproportionately because they dispropotionately are so-called "unskilled" labor. It's a wage depression vehicle disguised as a virtue. Heck, the additional future guest worker programs are going to depress the wages of amnestied illegals!
Is it just me or is that Brownback stupid?
Allen is preserving his viability. He's still in the running. The others might as well stay home. I'd still prefer someone more philosophically solid, with a foundation that has been tested and found strong. Allen, I am not entirely sure about whether he is that guy, but he's the best of what's out there so far, barring a bid by Don Rumsfeld.
Well I done made up my minds! Allen '08! :-)
"""People are going to cast their votes this fall based on amnesty or legalization," said Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, who hails from Iowa, the site of the first presidential contest in 2008.
"Who knows about two years from now?"""
That's what Frist and others are calculating. Will the public forget? Don't think so.
McCain isn't calculating anything, he is convinced he is pure.
The stuff about "polls" and "comprehensive" is garbare. Essentially a poll on whether the public thinks "comprehensive" is a nice word. Give them a poll on the specifics and cost and we'll see different.
Not all the time - see my post #17.
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