When begs the question for the Tancredo Fan Club -
What issues are they willing to trade in for secure borders?
Pete Wilson and Bilbray won their elections on pro-brder security while being liberal on social issues. It seems that the formula for GOP success would be to use the illegal immigration to appeal to conservatives and support gun control, gay rights, and abortion on demand to woo suburban soccer moms.
The NJ Senate race this year will test this theory.
I agree. I've posed the same question to many of my friends in the border security movement.
Many need to realize that the internal threats to our free republic and our Constitution are as real, and more dangerous, than the very real and very dangerous external threats we face.
I wouldn't term myself a Tancredo Republian, though on this issue we're clearly more in sync then I am with the administration.
Here's the problem.
If that Senate proposal or anything near it passes, conservatism in other aspects is dead politically. People can claim Mexicans are more socially conservative, but those here illegally or given entrance easily from socialist countries will vote Democrat. 20-100 new votes for Democrats. And elected Democrats will not vote for social conservative policies, anymore then they do now even though blacks support social conservatism.
Yes, Bilbray is more Liberal on other issues then I like. But at this point in time he's the lesser threat to conservatism by far by coming out strongly in favor of our borders. Once they are secured, the dynamics of this calculation change. And, I certainly don't think he's beyond challenge two years from now from someone who's conservative on Borders AND in other areas.
For now, immigration has shot to the number one spot on my list above Iraq/WOT and judges. Both of which are jeopardized if the Democrats new flood of vistors are legalized.