Bush scolds balking GOP

Washington Times ^

[Sub-Driver]

Bush scolds balking GOP

By Stephen Dinan and Ralph Z. Hallow THE WASHINGTON TIMES Published June 2, 2007

President Bush yesterday renewed his attack on Republicans who oppose his immigration bill, again charging that they are trying to "frighten people" and calling on supporters to rally around the compromise.

The president pleaded with senators to "show courage and resolve" to withstand outrage from voters in their districts.

"It is right to argue for what you believe and recognize that compromise might be necessary to move the bill along. And it is right to take political risk for members of the United States Congress," Mr. Bush said in his second impassioned plea this week on the issue and the second time that he has accused Republicans of trying to scare voters by labeling provisions in the bill an "amnesty."

But many Republican senators say the bill is both an amnesty and unworkable and argue that Mr. Bush's barbs are off the mark.

"I'm not going around frightening people. People are frightened, and they're trying to scare the politicians into voting the way they want them to," said Sen. Jim DeMint, South Carolina Republican, whose opposition to the bill has earned him standing ovations at speeches and events back home during the past week.

Mr. Bush's challenge followed a speech in Georgia on Tuesday that infuriated Republican opponents of his bill. And the renewed challenge came just a day after White House press secretary Tony Snow said the administration was trying to "lower the temperature and get people to talk about basic principles."

The fight is taking a serious toll on Republicans. The Washington Times reported yesterday that small donations to the Republican National Committee have dropped by an estimated 40 percent

[GatorGirl]

But, but, but....it’s racist to point out the shortcomings of our friends from the South /s

First and foremost, “illegal” just doesn’t mean Mexican.

Second, it appears that only the first generation are actually hard working (although they are lawbreakers) so let the industries that are in such desperate need of workers and can’t can’t can’t get Americans to do the jobs get some guest workers over here, provide for their health care and housing and when they’re done send them home. They will only pay income tax with no eligibility for Social Security and no “path to citizenship”.

Come to think of it, we need a total overhaul of our legal immigration system as well!

[TomGuy]

"lower the temperature and get people to talk about basic principles."

Remember the big tado last year about putting the NG on the border?

They never did have the full 6,000 on the border for any length of time -- and the program ended after 1 year. Most NG were in and out on 2-week deployment. When they were on the border, they were relegated to paperwork and washing vehicles of the Border Agents, and they were prohibited from carrying weapons.

The whole thing was a shellgame sham. It was designed for one purpose: to hoodwink the public into thinking the Bush Administration was serious about security the border.

Then, look at catch-and-release. Last year, Michael Chertoff made a big deal about ending 'catch-and-release'. Just one minor detail -- they didn't end it for Mexicans -- they continue, even now, the c&r for them. And most of those big raid? Most of the ones rounded up were -- after the headlines were made -- released; many within hours of their detainment.

And the spy drones that were used to stop illegals -- they were restricted to specified air spaces, and most of those covered areas were where illegals didn't come across the border anyway.

Yet, now, Team Bush expects us to believe that this new CI bill will be tough on border security.

[mthom]

“Tony Snow said the administration was trying to “lower the temperature and get people to talk about basic principles.””

Accusing people of using “fear” to control the publics opinion (a favorite charge of the left) and suggesting racism is whats behind the bills opposition is how he tries to “lower the temperature”? Id hate to see him try to turn up the heat.

[Theodore R.]

He won’t start to listen because he has always done what he wants to do. I don’t think he cares about what happens now — he wants amnesty. He said on Novembe 8, 2006, that he would be getting amnesty from the Democrats — this was when he “fired” Rumsfeld (another apparent failure) on the air. All his former supporters can do now is to boycott his presidential library.

[freedomdefender]

Its time for GOP leaders to sit Bush down and read him the riot act

No, it's time to sit down and talk with him very quietly and slowly coaz him to let us help him - all this, with burly security men our of site, but at the ready. That's what you do with someone who's gone berzerk.

[Calvin Locke]

For some reason, I remember Rush Limbaugh saying that he was paid a visit from the White House very early on in Bush's
first term, to convince him to support whatever Bush originally had in mind in terms of illegals.
(like, somebody showing up at the front door of his house...)

So, early co-opting of Snow is no surprise.

I use to like Snow. But I decided a while back that I won't be watching or listening to him any more when he goes back
to the dreaded private sector.

Heck, I don't bother listening to him now.

Probably had something to do with the night of the 2006 elections about him saying "Now the president has a
congress he can work with on illegal aliens, er, "undocumented" "immigrants".

[Theodore R.]

I AGREE! The American people need a spiritual revitalization if not your proposed psychiatric evaluation. But I don’t think they will get either — just business as usual. Remember, Margaret Thatcher’s famous words about “doing business” with Gorbachev.

[backhoe]

Thanks- drpix deserves the credit for putting it together- I just “liberated” the html string.

[Calvin Locke]

Is Bush’s Presidential Library going up in Mexico?

Drudge, on his Sunday radio show, has been asking or saying that for weeks.

[Theodore R.]

but true Texans are mad as hell over this invasion

If so, why do we continute to renominate "open borders" peoples in primaries?

[WashingtonSource]

In 1986, people believed that enforcement would follow. Maybe even Reagan. But, it has not. Now we know. We also know Bush is not an enforcer.

[LibKill]

I have to admit that I deeply resent the president’s comments on this subject.

[Theodore R.]

Nobody “sits” GWB down — he is arrogant and all-knowing in his own mind.

[Big E]

“lower the temperature and get people to talk about basic principles.”

One of the reasons people are so pissed over this is the consistent, perpetual lying! They keep telling us we can’t deport 12 million, so that’s the reason we don’t deport anyone. They keep saying jobs Americans won’t do, when everyone knows they mean jobs Americans won’t do for the poverty wages being paid. They say they are tough on closing the border, but who are you going to believe them, or your lying eyes?

I have supported Bush right down the line on Iraq, but after listening to this garbage, I wonder what else he’s been lying about?

[processing please hold]

Perfect.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

“Is Bush’s Presidential Library going up in Mexico? It would be fitting as he’s so helpful to the Mexicans.”

I have been giving that some serious thought too.

Another thought I have is that he can ask Jimmy to share the Carter library with him. Jimmy can move all his stuff to one side the room, and Bush then can move all his stuff into the unoccupied side.

They then can take a bed sheet, string it up, and use the sheet as a room divider.

How does that sound to you?

[liberte]

huh? Did Jorge switch parties?

[Joan Kerrey]

Was I wrong to support and vote for President Bush in 2004?

You were right in not supporting Kerry.

[Yorlik803]

Americas next Civil War...coming sooner than one would think.
Bush lied..and the USA died...

[McLynnan]

Probably because most of the natives have their heads in the sand. I’m not usually one of the sky is falling posters on FR, but in this case I think we are circling the drain. Illegals in the southwest became entrenched while our government was being politically correct, and they are becoming an organized force to be reckoned with. They are up front about their agenda, just as Islamist militants are. Why Bush thinks making nice with these people will solve our problems is beyond me.