Posted on 07/04/2006 7:38:49 PM PDT by nj26
On the eve of nationwide hearings that could determine the fate of his immigration bill, President Bush is signaling a new willingness to negotiate with House Republicans in an effort to revise stalled legislation before Election Day.
Republicans both inside and outside the White House say Mr. Bush, who has long insisted on comprehensive reform, is now open to a so-called enforcement-first approach that would put new border security programs in place before creating a guest worker program or path to citizenship for people living in the United States illegally.
"He thinks that this notion that you can have triggers is something we should take a close look at, and we are," said Candi Wolff, the White House director of legislative affairs, referring to the idea that guest worker and citizenship programs would be triggered when specific border security goals had been met, a process that could take two years.
The shift is significant because Mr. Bush has repeatedly said he favors legislation like the Senate's immigration bill, which establishes border security, guest worker and citizenship programs all at once. The enforcement-first approach puts Mr. Bush one step closer to the House, where Republicans are demanding an enforcement-only measure.
"The willingness to consider a phased-in situation, that's a pretty big concession from where they were at," said Representative Tom Cole, Republican of Oklahoma, whose closeness to Mr. Bush dates to his days as a top Republican National Committee official. "It's a suggestion they are willing to negotiate."
In a sign of that willingness, the White House last week invited a leading conservative proponent of an enforcement-first bill, Representative Mike Pence, Republican of Indiana, to present his ideas to Mr. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in the Oval Office.
Ms. Wolff said the president found the Pence plan "pretty intriguing."
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
If you're interested in Tom Terrific's reason for opposing the Pence plan just visit his Team America website and scroll down to the Pence Plan link. Warning, it will redirect you to VDARE for their position.
The Pence plan is amnesty.
LOL
You are just.... bizarre.
Cannon had a primary challenge, and won handily.
Now you are saying he "got the message"? That's such a Democrat tactic.
You need a new argument. Maybe admit that the people in Utah actually wanted to keep Cannon, and........oh why am I even wasting time on this. Nevermind.
I can't believe there is still debate here on the Cannon-won-but-really-lost issue.
Agreed. Trying to make it sound like it is some sort of "middle ground" What a joke!
Exactly. If Cannon's "victory" was so meaningful, then why has Bush dumped the McCain-Kennedy bill?
Seems like the majority of Republican Utah voters on the threads that night were perfectly happy with the results...and the fact that the out-of-state PACs were not able to hijack their election.
I know what is in the Pence Plan. Do you? If you go into the details, it is painfully obvious that this is a scam. It also won't work from a practical standpoint.
I have read the Pence plan. I wouldn't be supporting it if I hadn't.
What makes you think the Presidnet was for the McCain-Kennedy bill?
It was predictable.
Bingo.
BTW, if border enforcement advocates are discredited and amnesty is sailing forward uncontested by will of the people...why are they still on these threads?
Actions speak louder then spin folks.
"That is the same percentage he got in his 2004 primary."
Not quite, but who's counting.
Anyway, he did have a fight then, any idea why?
Who said amnesty is sailing forth. Tancredo is stopped in his tracks so a real solution can be passed. He is lucky to have an office to go to given the number of Conservatives he has slimed this year.
In unrelate news, Italy knocked German out of the World Cup finals. Responding to his team's loss, the German coach responded, "You can see by the final score just how badly Italy won."
LMAO.
Only in your wildest dreams, Tex.
>>>>He is lucky to have an office to go to given the number of Conservatives he has slimed this year.
BULLoney! HR4437 is alive and well.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.