Posted on 06/02/2007 10:22:51 AM PDT by nj26
President Bush’s advocacy of an immigration overhaul and his attacks on critics of the plan are provoking an unusually intense backlash from conservatives who form the bulwark of his remaining support, splintering his base and laying bare divisions within a party whose unity has been the envy of Democrats.
It has pitted some of Mr. Bush’s most stalwart Congressional and grass-roots backers against him, sparking a vitriol that has at times exceeded anything seen yet between Mr. Bush and his supporters, who have generally stood with him through the toughest patches of his presidency. Those supporters now view him as pursuing amnesty for foreign law breakers when he should be focusing on border security.
Postings on conservative Web sites this week have gone so far as to call for Mr. Bush’s impeachment, and usually friendly radio hosts, commentators and Congressional allies are warning that he stands to lose supporters — a potentially damaging development, they say, when he needs all the backing he can get on other vital matters like the war in Iraq.
“I think President Bush hurts himself every time he says it is not amnesty,” said Senator Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, referring to the bill’s legalization process for immigrants. “We are not all that stupid.”
This week, in discussing Mr. Bush’s recent comments accusing conservative critics of the immigration legislation of fear-mongering, Rush Limbaugh told listeners: “I just wish he hadn’t done it because he’s not going to lose me on Iraq, and he’s not going to lose me on national security. But he might lose some of you.”
Such sentiments have reverberated through talk radio, conservative publications like National Review and Fox News. They have also appeared on Web sites including RedState.com and FreeRepublic.com...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
That is such BS!
I wouldn’t count on that being fact just because the NYT sprinkled that on the story to spice it up. I sure haven’t heard any other source, like say the White House itself “admit” any such thing. I’d think that would be pretty big news.
> “Mr. Rove and Dan Bartlett, the White House counselor, said officials would continue trying to persuade critics.” This just about sums it up, doesn’t it?
Not Bartlett anymore. He resigned (effective July 4). Good for him. I would, too.
>>Bush’s Push on Immigration Tests His Base (FR Mentioned)
>Ah, Dubya, we hardly knew ye.
>(when we voted twice for you)
It is sad that the alternative to the backstabbing Dubya was far more horrendous.
Praying for this country.
> Ridiculous. I have listened to Savage for three years. He is too self centered, and thinks he is better than he is. BUT he is certainly not a liberal. He criticizes Pelosi and Kennedy all the time. He just realizes that Bush is selling this country down the river. Savage sure has alot of passion for someone who’s conservatism is only an act. I find him to be very anti-communist. And furthermore, I have never heard him agree with raising the min. wage, in fact just the opposite, i have heard him criticize win. wage a few times. And, he has taken actions. He helped stop the Dubai ports take over, he sends money for the defense of court-martialed marines, etc.
You nailed it, slow5poh. Savage may be a bit of a blowhard, but his passion is genuine and he is definitely conservative. I may not always agree with him but you always get the sense that nobody has, or will, own him. He will never “carry water” for someone he’s smoked cigars with in some elite $5,000 a plate political dinner, or toady up with someone who is bad for America (like Rooty) because they’re pals. Savage is the real deal.
> * Also during the first 30 minutes of his April 16, 2007 show, Weiner called the Republicans running for President in 2008 “empty-suits”. Weiner singled out Mayor Rudolph Giuliani by name.
And you have a *problem* with this? They *are* empty suits. Now I understand — you love Rooty with his cross-dressing, immoral, pro-abort agenda? Rooty is no conservative.
I also note that you never mention Savage’s constant vilification of liberals, communists, Dimocrats, and his defense of borders, language, and culture.
Do I think he goes a little wacky sometimes? Yeah, but that’s part of his charm. He’s a pundit, not a lawmaker. He’s an entertainer, not a legislator.
Karl Rove, Jorge’s water boy, has a winner here, just like he helped the republicans retain control of the senate and congress. Damn you George W. Bush and karl Rove for the shamnesty bill you want to sell the country out with!
>CALL! CALL! CALL! CALL! AND KEEP CALLING TILL THE LINES FRY!
> WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! TILL YOU RUN OUT OF INK IN YOUR PEN!
WORD!!!!
> Bombard the Democrats as well, especially the ones that ran on an anti illegal immigration plank and the ones in marginal districts who could be vulnerable. keep pounding on them.
You can turn the Dims! Just mention the “cheap labor” angle.
Burn Washington, DC.
I think it makes sense in terms of what big business wants. Cheap labor and plentiful oil.
Cheap labor has done nothing for Mexico why would our economy need it?
It is not WE who are splintered but Mr. Bush who has splintered away from US!!!!!
Cheap labor can’t find jobs in Mexico because there aren’t any. As for why our ecenomy “needs” it, ask companies like Tyson.
I just tell the RNC the money I would have sent them has instead gone to taxes to pay for public services to illegal immigrants.
Never saw that column before but boy did he call it right.
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