The immigration issue has deeply divided the Republican Party. President Bush and then Presidential nominee McCain supported amnesty bills (Hagel-Martinez in 2006 and McCain-Kennedy in 2007) against the majority of their own party. Moreover, we had the sorry spectacle of people like Karl Rove and Lindsey Graham castigating their fellow Republicans [read Conservatives] who opposed amnesty using such epithets as bigots, racists, and nativists. These criticisms just reinforce the Democrat branding of the GOP and alienate minorities who perceive that they are not welcome in the party.
Moreover, being branded as a racist political party hurts the GOP in recruiting new members, regardless of race or ethnicity. America is not a racist country and no one wants to be associated with a racist organization.
The GOP is its own worst enemy. Look at how they are crucifying Cruz. The language of Peter King and John McCain against Cruz is destructive and uncalled for. Can you imagine any Democrat using such language against one of their own colleagues?
“You can’t blame it on just the MSM.”
I don’t blame them solely; only 99%. Look at how much attention is given to a Repub criticizing another Repub versus how much is given to the majority of Repubs who criticize Obama. The media alone is the reason Republicans are branded “racist”; Dems have kept blacks (and increasingly Hispanics) in absolute squalor for their own political gains, and are never called out about it. The GOP’s worst enemy will always be the communists in this country and their media.
If Republicans found a way to eliminate all taxes without cutting a cent from the budget, the media would never report it (and you know it).