Immigration and the President's Gut(11/2008 won't come soon enough for me!)

Real Clear Politics ^ | June 16, 2007 | Diana West

[kellynla]

Now that the president has tried to revive the comatose Senate amnesty bill, at least as big a question as whether he can bring it back to life is why on earth he would want to. Sure, he wants a win, because he hasn't had one lately. Sure, he wants a (gulp) legacy, because it's that clock-ticking time in his second term. But why this particular attempted win, which his political base sees only as betrayal? Why this hoped-for legacy, which would eliminate him from any conservative pantheon?

"It's a very emotional issue." That's what the president says by way of describing the acid turmoil his "comprehensive" immigration reform push has caused, particularly among conservatives. He's right on one level, but I get the impression he makes the point to dismiss his opponents' objections as volcanic eruptions of feeling, rather than legitimate and reasonable arguments.

At the same time, immigration reform is a very emotional issue for Mr. Bush himself. Too emotional. When it comes to illegal aliens -- in particular, illegal aliens from Mexico -- the man seems to be governed by his gut. And that, of course, is no way to govern.

I say this having gone back over the immigration file that has piled up during this administration. A strong emotional thread connecting Mr. Bush to the issue comes through stories about his beloved Mexican-born housekeeper/nannies, and through stories about his political associates with Mexican roots, such as Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, or campaign aide IsraelHernandez, whom,Newsweek noted last year, "Bush hired after hearing his family story." Mr. Bush just loves those family stories.

[kellynla]

"Do you think we assimilate immigrants as well as in previous waves?" Mr. Bush's answer: "Absolutely.

The Feds can't even issue Passports in a timely fashion to those who want them and Bush thinks they can assimilate 20 million illegals. 11/2008 won't come soon enough for me!

[hellinahandcart]

review

[kellynla]

ping

[Guenevere]

bttt

[eeevil conservative]

WHY?

THIS IS WHY:

Bush's Plan for HIS Vision for "America"

[hophead]

I am beginning to worry that those on the left who have been calling Bush an idiot all these years....may be right.

[1rudeboy]

Pefectly natural. You’ve been reading FR lately.

[econjack]

I’ve supported Bush for his entire Presidency, but he lost me on this one. Indeed, the Republicans will lose me altogether if they don’t stop illegal immigration and drop the idea of amnesty for those who have already broken the law to get here. The idea that we can’t throw 20 million illegals out of the US is BS. If we really wanted to, it could be done. Perhaps not overnight, but eventually.

Sorry, Mr. Bush, this one’s going to cost you and the Republicans dearly if you don’t wake up and smell the tacos.

[snugs]

:o) - well said

[Mr. K]

OK here’s my theory... its Karl Rove

He let the democraps win in ‘06 so the country could see the idiots that represent their leadership.

Then they promote the immigration bill, that they KNOW will never pass and will raise conservatives to action.

And ‘08 becomes a CONSERVATVE steamroller~!!

(A guy can dream, can’t he?)

[snugs]

One issue looses you - one wonders how you survive in daily life which has to be full of give and take if not compromise.

[DManA]

The dream of the US ruling all N. America is a very old idea. Goes back to the beginning of the country.

[DManA]

I’m not a single issue guy but there are certain red lines I am not prepared to see crossed.

[TADSLOS]

Hey, when you’re done hitting the crack pipe, pass it over. I need that dream.

[dirtboy]

One issue looses you - one wonders how you survive in daily life which has to be full of give and take if not compromise.

You really need to cut back on the Kool-Aide. Bush has made quite a few deviations from conservative values. His push for shamnesty is just the last straw.

[snugs]

I respect you for that but I do not see why that means that people are abusing and dismissing the President because he does not agree with them on this one issue.

You can argue, debate it etc but not surely say that it negates everything else he has done or said which is what so many are doing especially those who refer to him with the dreadful disrectpful nick name of Jorge.

[snugs]

The President has never promoted total conservative views and I do not see he has been in consistent with what he has said over the last 7 years, if they do not agree with your views that is a different thing.

[William Terrell]

Yepper. The destruction of one's nation is just one issue among many. Relax and work on the others. . .

[nativist]

Compromise is great! I see Mohamed is now the #1 boys name in England. Truly fortunate to have shepherds in England so willing to"compromise" the English way of life.

I know quite a few Englishmen in my business. I told one of them the other day about the Mohamed thing. One started to get angry and the other said "don't worry about that, we're here now."

[LantzALot]

The President's gut ... acid turmoil ... volcanic eruptions ...

I see sickness here -- imminent barfing.
Take that any way you choose.