G.O.P. Sets Aside Work on Immigration

New York Times via Drudge Report ^ | Sept 4, 2006 | CARL HULSE and RACHEL L. SWARNS

[jlasoon]

"Then you, my friend, aren't paying attention. There's a war going on and either you're with us or you're with the terrorists. Got it?"

Thanks for the talking point memo from the RNC. I must be with the terrorists because I believe in militarizing and closing the borders.

Or maybe I'm a terrorist because somehow I hate this crazy insane spending, no maybe it's this stupid war in Iraq that somehow is lasting longer then WW2 because "W", our great commander refuses to use trillions of dollars in military weaponry.

I don't need to go on about the great job Rummy and Condi are doing.

Since you lost most of your brain cells and can't seem to think for yourself I'm pretty much wasting my time.

[jackieaxe]

No sense in pushing an immigration enforcement bill when the RINO controlled Senate is only interested in amnesty, WIC checks for anchor babies and Social Security for identify thieves. Best to move on to something that can be done. Please don't blame the House for this one.

[b4its2late]

Yep. Obstructionists for sure.........it's their only tactic left where they don't have to open their mouths to get themselves in trouble.

[b4its2late]

No sense in pushing an immigration enforcement bill when the RINO controlled Senate is only interested in amnesty,

Just think what we'll get though if the dems take control of either chamber..... Not a pleasant thought at all now....

[Axhandle]

The two most pressing issues to our continued survival as a free and prosperous nation:

- enforcement of our borders
- defeating the forces of radical Islam

On both of these issues, politicians on both sides of the aisle are afraid to take prudent measures in our defense for fear of offending certain constituents and/or losing re-election.

What does this say about America, about our system of government, and about our elected representatives?

[Delphinium]

And they wonder why some of us lose interest?

[Bommer]

GOOD MOVE REPUBL I CAN'T! Work on the WOT and leave porous so terrorist can access our country that much easier!

[fishtank]

I am exercising my right.

I just won't vote.

My choice.

The Repubs don't deserve more power now. They have shirked their consitutional duty to defend this nation.

[RightWhale]

Tancredo says illegal immigration is the basic issue now.

[fishtank]

Well.....I must admit you have got it right there.

...OK, I'll think about it again, but since I live in a strong Dem district, not much good for me personally....

[FreedomNeocon]

Developing... from the NYT. /puke

Typical, and nothing new to try to divide and depress Republicans... consider the source and motive.

The problem with that is that for a few months now, the only thing worse than nothing being done, is that abomination the Senate came up with ACTUALLY BEING PASSED.

[RobFromGa]

Tancredo is a fine man, but this is his signature issue, so take that into account when judging what he says. I am not saying that I don't think the immigration control is important, I am saying that politically we do not have the votes in the Senate to achieve anything good, so there is no reason to go through the exercise before the Midterms.

[FreedomNeocon]

In case I wasn't clear... this is the "Republicans in the House stand up to Senate BS (representing the people) and block that piece of crap they were marching in the streets for" story from last month...

Only the NYT spin it to divide the useful idiots in our party, and looking at this thread (accounting for the usual 7% of posers), they continue to succeed.

[RightWhale]

I heard him interviewed last night, maybe a repeat, but he sounded very much aware of his role in the greater political scene. He does not sound like he would even want to ride this issue to the White House. He said in effect that while it might not be the major issue in the MSM it is very big around the dinner tables.

[CottonBall]

I am not saying that I don't think the immigration control is important, I am saying that politically we do not have the votes in the Senate to achieve anything good, so there is no reason to go through the exercise before the Midterms.

Actually, right before an election is the time force the Senators to show where they stand. For once, 1/3rd of them just might consider what their constituents are saying. After the election, you can forget about them caring one bit.

[CottonBall]

We've had two elections on WoT and Iraq, and in both cases, the GOP has won huge when it has stayed firm on these.

It's a hand that's been overplayed. The war in Iraq is not popular and even some of the base is starting to say to get out. Couple that with a porous southern border and knowing that terrorists can waltz across the border any time and that we have millions of unknown illegals all over the U.S., running on the WOT becomes a joke.

Immigration is NOT local, and will never be viewed as such, because locals foist it off on the feds.

You've got to be kidding! Locals foist it off on the feds? How many cities and local governments have attempted to enforce existing border laws, only to be shot down by the feds? And it's the local governments that are paying and paying for illegals' health care and education. And now cities, like Hazelton, are trying to pass laws to protect their own cities from the devastation illegals cause only because the feds refuse to do anything. Illegal immigration should be a federal issue, but locals are trying to do something because the feds wimp out.

[RobFromGa]

Actually, right before an election is the time force the Senators to show where they stand.

That might work if any of the ones that are the problem were up for re-election. Below are the only seats in the Senate that are in play.

The SENATE "CONTESTS"
VA- R seat- ALLEN vs. Webb (80%)
TN- R seat- Corker vs. Ford (70%)
MO- R seat- TALENT vs. McCaskill (65%)

---

^^^^^Needed to Maintain 51 seat GOP control^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
MT- R seat- BURNS vs. Tester (60%)
NJ- D seat- Kean vs. MENENDEZ (55%)
OH- R seat- DEWINE vs. Brown (55%)
WA- D seat- McGavick vs. CANTWELL (50%)

---

^^^^^ Needed to Maintain 55-45 GOP present ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
PA- R seat- SANTORUM vs. Casey (45%)
MD- D seat- Steele vs. Cardin/Mfume* (*Primary 9/12) (45% if Mfume, 50% if Cardin)
MN- D seat- Kennedy vs. Klobuchar* (*Primary 9/12) (40%)
MI- D seat- Bouchard vs. STABENOW (40%)

[sportsterinred]

the reason they are waiting is they ARE gonna stick it to us. I know what needs to be done. So do they. So why are they not doing it? The House has it right. The Senate and Bush are ready to stick it to us and watch it be soon after the Nov election and as far away from 2008 as possible. The house is our only chance

[sportsterinred]

I dont get it. The USA could have won in Iraq in 10 days and 100 lives. Why do we go to war not to win? This pisses me off BIGTIME. If you are to war, WIN, and to hell with being UN or socially acceptable.

[RobFromGa]

The house is our only chance

Since the House can't do anything without the Senate and the President, then you don't have anything with just the House. And that is the problem.