[codeword]

They will never vote for him. Immigrants vote Dem.

Generally speaking, yes. But Bush is clearly making a pitch for Hispanics. Look at the evidence. He has proposed (and subsequently dropped under pressure) a proposal for another amnestia; his Transportation Dept has approved a speed up of naturalization for airport screeners (up to 30% of which are Latino) and now this.

Bush's political advisors are not fools. They know that Latinos are not naturally leftist or liberal as a group. The only reason they vote Democrat is that the Dems have targeted them with pro-Latino propaganda and legislation. So the Republicans can play this game, too. Perhaps Bush will only get a few votes this way, but remember how close the last election was. Every vote he can grab from the Democrats is vitally important to his re-election.

[WarHawk42]

Bush isn't going to get 50% of the Latino vote.  That said encouraging more immigration is only detrimental to the republicans.  The increase will be larger for the dems than the republicans.

Simple math.  If you get 30% of 100 new votes then the other guy gets 70%.  Not a good deal.  As you point out the election was close.  It won't take that many more Latino votes to regulate the republicans to the dustbin of history.  Think about it, the republicans sure aren't.

WarHawk42

[ZDaphne]

I agree with you. My confidence has eroded considerably about Bush's domestic policy with Hispanics since he took office. On the other hand, I realize that he has to make concessions in this area to muster votes for the next election. I try to console myself with the notion that this is something he has to do to get back in, and that it sure beats the alternative...

[MissAmericanPie]

And every conservative vote he loses will be critical to his re-election. I may be busy shopping for a third party candidate and miss voting entirely that day.