Posted on 01/12/2005 12:50:36 PM PST by GOPXtreme20
Republican to Lead Immigration Revolt Against Bush
By Alan Elsner
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Republican member of the House of Representatives vowed on Wednesday to lead a revolt against President Bush (news - web sites)'s immigration reform proposals and predicted that up to 180 party members would support him.
Bush in an interview with the Washington Times published on Wednesday said he plans to force a debate in Congress this year on his proposal that would allow some illegal immigrants to obtain legal work permits in the United States.
Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, who heads the House Immigration Reform Caucus, said he was determined to block the legislation. The caucus, which had 71 members in the last Congress, argues for stronger action to stop illegal immigration and a reduction of legal migration.
"Why is this so important to the president?" Tancredo said. "Is it just the corporate interests who benefit from cheap labor? Do they have such a strong grip on our president so that he is actually willing to put our nation at risk, because open borders do put our nation at risk?
"Is it petulance, because we were able to stop it in the last Congress? Why is it so important to give amnesty to people who have broken the law?" Tancredo said.
"I'm willing to lead a fight against this and I would say there are at least 180 members of our Republican caucus who are willing at least to stop amnesty for illegal immigrants," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.
Bush has repeatedly said he views immigration reform as an important issue for his second term. In the Washington Times interview, he said it was near the top of his agenda.
"Look, whether or not you agree with the solution or not, we have a problem in America when you've got 8 million undocumented workers here," he said.
BUSH CONFIDENCE
Bush expressed confidence he could win over opponents, as he did in passing tax reform during his first term. "Initially out of the box, some people said, over my dead body would they pass tax relief ... If I listened to all that, I'd just quit, you know. But that's not the way I think."
But analysts agree that immigration reform could be much more divisive for Republicans since growing numbers of rank-and-file voters are becoming concerned at the continued influx of illegal immigrants across the Mexican border.
"No issue, not one, threatens to do more damage to the Republican coalition than immigration," said David Frum, a former White House speech writer in Bush's first term.
"There's no issue where the beliefs and interests of the party rank-and-file diverge more radically from the beliefs and interests of the party's leaders," he wrote in the National Review last month.
Bush insists he is not offering amnesty to illegal immigrants but Tancredo said that was a "manipulation of language, the kind of thing (former President) Bill Clinton would have done. There is an issue of integrity here and an issue of honesty," he said.
Hang tough, full speed ahead, we are on YOUR SIDE of this issue Rep. Tancredo
And hopefully Tom will tell him where he can stick his empty threat. ....just like he did the first time.
bump
Yep, Bush is wrong on this. It may be right when he was running Texas but it not right for all of US!
Go Tom
bump
leftist democrats and one issue immigration Republicans, same coin different sides.
leftist democrats hate business becuase it creates wealth and prosperity, one issue Republicans hate that same business becuase it doesn't employ the right kind of people.
:::::APPLAUDING:::::::!!
Tancredo is no girlie man. God Bless and God speed!! Finally a true REPUBLICAN and one after my own heart!
I voted for Bush and generally support him, but on this issue he is dead wrong. He will make Tom Tancredo a National Hero and popular figure with his obstinence on this subject.
My personal feelings on this is that Bush is trying to lay the ground work for Jeb Bush in the future by catering to the Hispanic vote.
But even THAT doesn;t make sense as rank and file Hispanic voters have indicated time and again that special treatment for illegal invaders is not a priority issue for them, and in many cases they oppose it entirely.
WAKE UP GEORGE BUSH!!!
I also support President Bush 100% in many areas, but not here, at all.
You think that the 180+ House Republicans that will be supporting Tancredo in this matter are all single-issue politicians?
This could be the issue that puts Hillary in the White House.
What special treatment? They aren't going to get citizenship, just the privilage to pick vegetables or clean toilets, that native born Americans on welfare refuse to do.
Good, how can we help?
JMO, Tancredo isn't immune to using hyperbole on his pet issue.
If they've got any guts.
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