Third party slates hurt Republicans (especially Conservatives) every single time. Do the history, do the math and it will tell you we get screwed. I am still hoping someday to run into Perot so I can look down on his pointy little head and ask him how his chart schtick is working for him now. "Ross for Boss", know what I mean?
The current immigration bill is just the symptom of the disease in the Republican Party. The disease is political deafness by party leaders and the esconsed politicians in their comfy seats in the clouds. The party cannot listen to their base anymore because they do not know who, what, or where their base is. That is how out of touch they are. The "Got a suburb? Send the direct mail, the TV, radio and door-to-door workers there and, viola, we win" advice that consultant/party "experts" have been handing out is wasting not just money, but hearts and minds. Oh, and elections.
To wit:
A Republican Landslide In The Making
Historically, the term landslide has meant a major victory by one political party over another. Republicans appear to want to re-define the term by embracing a position on immigration likely to cause the conservative land they've been trampling over for decades to give way.
Some have convinced themselves that the measure represents a good trade, i.e. amnesty for 12 million (which they privately acknowledge is the case) in exchange for beefed -up enforcement including a worker-verification system (assuming government can effectively design one with Democrats refusing to agree to data-sharing among relevant agencies), and an end to chain migration at some point in the future, i.e. when the big backlog on extended family members waiting for green cards is cleared up.
In the face of what became the Reagan compromise on immigration in the eighties, a compromise which produced nothing at all as regards managing immigration or the border, why some insist on trying to put a positive spin on this boggles the mind. All I can guess is that they've given up on any chance for serious change and are all too happy to go along for a ride that looks more like a death spiral for Republicans to
me.
Republicans were given a wake up call in 2006; they've opted to hit snooze. Were this truly a fringe issue, I'd likely accept any alleged wisdom in the move. But I don't believe it is a fringe issue. The majority of Americans appreciate a respect for law and order and want our borders controlled. The winning strategy debated too much too long ago, was, border security first and then a potential accommodation for existent illegals. That would ensure getting action from Washington on this issue for a change.
Republicans appear to have rejected that wisdom, opting for an ineffective compromise, instead. Fine. Let the Republicans tout their ineffectiveness in some next election. I'll be looking for a slate of third party candidates willing to do
what it takes to get a handle on the genuine problems facing America. Clearly
that isn't something the current Republican Party is willing to do.
Despite their '06 rejection, they're content to give us more of the same. Unfortunately, that isn't even close to what America needs. Is this
what McCain touted in the recent debate? No wonder his candidacy has been DOA.
Immigration reform doesn't just mean 12 million new votes for the Demos, it probably means 12 points leaving, or at least not caring anymore for, the GOP.
By showing some Conservative/Republican backbone starting now, even with another loss in 2008, the GOP could be well on its way to rebuilding trust with the people which will translate into victory down the road.
Just maybe, by immediately renting a pair and showing some backbone, the GOP could win in 2008. If it doesn't start with immigration we can plan on Alec Baldwin threatening to move back to America in 2008 and a Democrat in the White House.
