I agree, we have to reach out to the Hispanics. Except for President Bush, the Republicans are not doing enough.
Folks,
The dynamic on this is crushing.
1) Tinfoil hats put away. The President has always had the same perspective on immigration and nothing changed on that. The Democrats, in the immigration proposal, are in the process of themselves ripping it apart — so Bush gave them nothing on that. They hate it as much on the left as the folks on the right do.
2) There are signs, becoming more and more clear, that Iraq is going to be a success. The Democrats are terrified of it. The Iraqis in the last few days have, from spokespeople in their government, made public requests that the US not leave. These are public statements that would never have been risked even one year ago, for fear of reprisal.
3) The Anbar success story is spreading to the rest of the country. The sheiks are feeling their oats and power and want to be major players in their parliament. And THAT describes the nature of the success — the people there are maneuvering for advantages within the framework of the democracatic government there. They seem to have signed onto the idea that there will be a parliament with a prime minister as far as the eye can see.
4) MoveOn is going to throw a fit tomorrow. All the hardcore left is, and the Democrat leadership is going to have to endure it because if they don’t get this off the table, they will accomplish nothing at all throughout the year. Frankly, this is their immigration bill. This could VERY well create splinter parties on their side the way immigration seems to be doing in the GOP.
5) The WH and GOP won’t say anything until the paper is in Bush’s hands to sign, but this is unfolding as an enormous victory for the President. This will buy the Iraqis time to relentlessly grow their military and police forces. This runs the enormous risk for the Democrats of the WH announcing right about this time next year, in the presidential campaign, that the Iraqis are successfully taking over security requirements in large parts of the country and therefore fewer US troops are needed there and will be coming home. That, people, is Victory with a capital V.
5)
Thank you. I am so hurt because we were making such headway in the 2000 and 2004 election with the Hispanic vote. Most hispanics could relate to the GOP because most of them are Catholic (pro-religion), pro-life, good work ethic and pro-traditional marriage. I am afraid the tough rhetoric on this immigration bill will scare them off.
I am for border control and tough penalties on illegal immigration but I think we could debate it in a more thoughtful and less hysterical manner.(Sort of like Michael Medved).