I argued during the debate that I simply didn’t believe that this Congress or administration was serious about controlling the borders. They never have been. Without that, this was just a nothing bill. When this government shows it will deal with the borders, then I have no problem with amnesty or increased immigration. But, “trust me” doesn’t work. Old Texas saying: if a mule kicks you once, it is the mules fault. If he kicks you again………

Rick

Just keep pretending all these polls don’t mean anything! LOL. You think that would bother me????

I think the problem the right has on this issue is that they have demagogued it to the point that it is impossible to have rational debate on the subject, much less fix the problems. That does not make them look good. After all these guys were celebrating killing a bill and keeping the status quo, at no point did they come up with a solution to a difficult and complex problem. Add to that the nastiness of some of the rhetoric and what do they expect?

But, overall, only 29% (and mostly Republicans) care a great deal about the issue. It is interesting that 39% of Republicans lost confidence in Bush over this. There is no indication as to why they lost confidence in him. The whole problem was mostly with the Senate. All in all, this was a pretty squirrely poll and it is hard to draw any conclusions of how accurate and how long lasting the result will be. My guess is that now that the publicity is dieing down that immigration will slip down in importance. I am arguing that importance is a function of publicity. I would strongly bet against any effect at the polls in 2008 (except that I will never vote for Mel Martinez again).

Finally, I am pretty skeptical that any of the radio guys are losing a large proportion of their audience over this. I certainly don’t trust some “inside baseball” on this point.

Rick

Look at 2006, the hardliners lost seats. Just ask JD Hayworth. And I don’t see Tancredo running at number one. And when you look at McCain, remember there is more going on there than immigration.

But more importantly, look at how Republicans are doing in overall polls compared to Democrats, many of whom did support immigration. Well all except for the ones sucking up to the ACLU and the AFL-CIO anyway.

In truth there is every bit as much evidence in the polls that the hardliners came off as a bit too manic for the majority of the country.

But you know what? If they really can do it, then do it, deport all 12 million of these people now. Just jump right in there, stop yammering and bitching…do it.

The truth is this country arrests and deports people everyday. But the law requires that everyone gets a hearing, the law does not say round them up and put them in cattle cars or lay land mines at the border or whatever, so maybe the deport them now people should put up or shut up.

I never said Savage was picking up her share. I said BOTH were tanking and those who were supporting the conprehensive bill were seeing huge increases.

Anyway, I’ll say it again: John McCain has tanked because of his pro-immigration stance. Prove I’m wrong by rallying your so-called pro-immigration grass roots voting block. I’m saying it ain’t there, and I’ll be the first one to admit I’m wrong if it appears and Johnny M gets resurrected- which ain’t gonna happen. Anyway, take a gander at the interview I have linked to the post above- McCain has committed hari-kiri with his immigrant bill, and Trent Lott is sitting at about 19% approval.

I don’t need to show you anything since it will all become clear in 2008! The damage is a lot worse than I thought it would be, if that tells you anything.

I think that this is a wonderful opportunity for you and the folks that want to save the GOP from the radical right to show us where all the real votes are. You can show us all that grass roots support for liberalized immigration which you say is out there.

How about a blog campaign sponsored by, ahem, moderate fellows like yourself to bump up some cash and voter support for the Amenista candidate?

You could simultaneously advance your cause while disproving what most pols already know- the pro amnesty position is a political loser at the polls and will be an albatross for the party that adopts it.