Immigation: Is the right wing getting a beating from both ends?

[Pushed To The Left]

The Bush Administration has had 5 years to secure the borders and ports, and they have yet to do so. Many of us believe that the Administration has no desire to secure the borders because cheap labor is the cornerstone of their brand of conservatism. This has made anti-illegal immigration conservatives very angry at the Bush Administration. Now, instead of writing a good immigration bill that everybody who supports border security can agree upon, the far right in the House came up with the Sensenbrenner bill, which has divided pro-border-security people and created a pretty big protest movement across the country. It looks like both the Bush (cheap labor) wing of the Republican Party and the Sensenbrenner wing of the Republican Party could be taking a beating over this issue!

[saltpoint]

1. The Republicans control both chambers of the U.S. Congress and

this morning Bush was on the air blaming Harry Reid, for god's sake, on the failure to pass an Immigration bill.

The objective part of me wants a bipartisan solution to a serious question.

But the partisan Democrat in me wants the Republicans to take the beating of their lives over their petty, directionless leadership.

[blondeatlast]

4. Time was that both parties put the nation first when faced

with such a serious issue.

I believe the Democrats would come to the table, but with virtually no bargaining power whatseover, it's not going to happen.

Therefore, I'm comfortable with seeing the neocon wackos tajke a beating--especially in such a crucial election year.

[saltpoint]

6. Yes. A more civil blend of senators is needed. People more like

George Mitchell and a lot less like Tom DeLay throughout the Congress.

[blondeatlast]

2. Kudos to the blogger (I forget who it was) who coined the term

"cheap labor conservatives."

It describes a great deal of the neocons to the nth degree.

I'm enjoying the fireworks!

[Pushed To The Left]

3. "The Conceptual Guerilla"

www.conceptualguerilla.com

[blondeatlast]

5. I've lost the bookmark, so thank you! nt

[DemFromMem]

7. There are actually some decent Republicans on this issue

This is a weird issue where some unlikely Republicans actually work pretty closely with Senator Kennedy and Senator Leahy. Orrin Hatch, for example, has championed the DREAM Act with Dick Durbin. This bill allows illegal immigrant kids to have a shot at getting legal status. It's in the Senate bill. Sam Brownback of Kansas who is awful on so many issues is one of the most liberal Senators when it comes to asylum and refugee issues. McCain's record on immigration is comparable to Kerry and Obama. For some of these guys, the issue is extremely personal. Martinez's parents came here is refugees. Pete Domenici's mother was actually an illegal alien and was arrested and put in detention when he was a kid.

All of this really great for the Democrats. This is an issue where we can pick up enough Republicans to win. All but two or three Democrats are going to vote for the Senate bill. We'll get probably another 15 or so GOP votes and Bush will sign. What we need to focus on is a) getting the bill passed and b) making sure the public remembers that it was the Democrats who pushed through comprehensive immigration reform despite most GOP members fighting it.

[SeaBob]

8. righties

its called a feeding frenzy. they smell blood and start attacking each other for being to liberal. God I love it . In just about 6 months they will self destruct.