Posted on 07/30/2010 5:44:38 PM PDT by GOPGuide
A tantalizing bit of 2012 gossip dropped way, way down in an otherwise fun piece about amnesty shills boo-hooing over having (temporarily) lost McCain. Note to Politico: This is what’s called “burying the lede.”
Their hope now is that Republican presidential candidates and former operatives under Bush, a reform proponent, can convince GOP congressional leaders that the issue needs to be dealt with before 2012 — or that they could risk alienating the burgeoning Hispanic vote in the crucial swing states of New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona and Florida.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a front-runner for the nomination, has signaled quietly to Graham that Republicans must address immigration before the campaign heats up, according to several sources familiar with the conversation.
Graham’s push against birthright citizenship prompted this response on POLITICO’s Arena from Cesar Conda, a former domestic policy adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney: “If the Republican Party embraces ending birthright citizenship, then it will be assured losing Latino and ethnic voters — and presidential elections for the foreseeable future.”
Now I’m more confused than ever about why Graham’s pushing the birthright citizenship amendment. If he really is thinking about trying to settle the immigration issue before 2012 — which may be do-able, given the electoral pressure from Latinos that the GOP leadership will be feeling — what does he gain by staking out a position further to the right than he’s ever gone before? I have to assume that it’s precisely because he thinks a deal is likely that he wants to stockpile conservative demands now so that he can give up on them early in the interests of “compromise.” If he sacrifices birthright citizenship in the interests of “being reasonable” but stands firm on securing the border first, it’ll give the Dems some cover on agreeing to the latter. In fact, Politico notes that his comprehensive bill co-written with Schumer already would have made amnesty contingent on first reaching certain benchmarks vis-a-vis border security; Graham’s now insisting that that’s no longer enough, that he wants a separate “borders only” bill before amnesty comes back on the table, but I’ve got a crazy hunch that he’s just staking out a bargaining position there too.
As for Mitt’s role in this, it’s not like he’s nudging Graham to strike a deal on his behalf. Getting immigration off the table would, in theory, benefit whoever the eventual nominee is. But suspicions about him among the righty base plus the fact that it’s Grahamnesty, of all people, that he’s coordinating with here instead of, say, Jim DeMint isn’t going to win him any new fans. Exit question: Any fallout over this for him, or no biggie?
It didn’t stop McCain from winning the GOP nomination less than a year after his amnesty defeat. It isn’t stopping him from winning his Senate seat once again in Arizona of all places.
“Who the hell sez so? “
Those that have determined its his turn.
Chris Christie is a gun grabber. While he may be a fiscal conservative like most from his area of the nation he is a social RINO.
A leader of what exactly? She can not win the presidency. Just let that sink in for awhile, and then go look for a REAL contender! I know it's tough. I don't even know who that person is right now. I just know that it ISN'T Palin.
How do you know she can’t win the Presidency ? You don’t for sure do you.
>> Me: I don’t think amnesty will ‘finish’ the Country.
>> You: Your ignorance is astounding.
I cannot think of one thing that would ‘finish’ the Country.
Perhaps my ignorance is your limitation.
| I wouldn’t be surprised if the RINOs are considering this possibility hoping for political balance well before 2012 should “reform” go through. |
>> The resulting chain migration will be very destructive to this country-
No doubt. The RINOs are delusional.
join the Libertazrians and let these idiots self destruct along with Obaba.
join the Libertazrians and let these idiots self destruct along with Obaba.
Oh well,
Romney is nothing but a two faced weasel. I hear Graham is homo. If either get their way, the Republic is in big trouble.
And Romney had better not be front runner for 2012. I can't stomach the guy. I find him repulsive.
Who the hell sez so?
The liberal media. They've chosen him for us. He's one of theirs. (We've got to dump this guy big time, and now. He can't be allowed to get any where near the White house.)
Romney is the choice of the MSM Dinosaurs and Bill O’Reilly re his prediction on Leno’s nite nite show. As a govt health care supporter, flip-flopper, LDS member, with obtuse staff attack on Palin, he’s just the guy to divide the GOP constituency to ensure Obama’s re-election, just what the MSM doctor ordered. Of course, if by extreme accident he did win, he would perpetuate the new world order agenda as Obama light.
Lindsey Graham would make a good choice for his VP nominee; that would seal the deal.<s
“Am I missing anyone?”
Yep, you’re missing the boat. Palin ain’t a lightweight! She and Jan Brewer are more vocal against the regime than the rest of the field combined. Most of the GOPers are bunkered like a bunch of wimps.
Santorum couldn’t get re-elected in his own state and endorsed the turncoat, so he is a real lightweight. Christie needs to clarify his 2nd amendment and immigration positions as well as deciding to be a serious candidate before he can begin to pass muster. Plus he is a heavyweight - maybe too heavy a heavyweight. Demint will have to de-ostrich if he wants to be considered a serious candidate.
A stopped clock is right twice a day as were your assessments of Gingpoor, Mith, Huckster, and Pawlenty.
McDonnell from VA
I have heard Thune mentioned as a dark horse, but I don’t know if I trust him. Can’t say why, really, but he seems slick. Santorum, too, though.
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