Dem's Schitzo Border Politics
Hoping to capitalize on Bush's perceived -- and many would say real -- weaknesses on immigration, Dems are approaching the immigration buzzsaw with bravado and double-talk.
Bush is vulnerable, both for his handling of border enforcement and, more distantly, for the GOP identification as the party that wants cheap labor. It's a questionable criticism historically, since a Dem congress passed the Texas Proviso in 1952 allowing illegals to work in texas, and Harry Truman signed the bill into law.
Dems can point to LBJ and Carter's efforts against such programs, but that doesn't buy them much space to maneuver between strong border adovcates and weak border Hispanics. Check out examples cited by John Fund in a great Opinion Journal piece on the subject:
Bill Henderson, NM's Dem gov and presidential hopeful declared a "state of emergency" in four border counties, citing "a chaotic situation involving illegal alien smuggling and illegal drug shipments," and earmarks new money for border enforcement.
But at a pro-immigrant worker rally, he said, "¡Viva la raza! . . . Thank you for coming to Santa Fe. Know that New Mexico is your home. We will protect you. You have rights here."
Hillary Clinton moved right on borders, calling for new enforcement techniques and stiff fines for employers of illegals, But when she addressed the National Council of La Raza, her rhetoric was different: Not a word on immigration, just money. True to Dem spend-to-win philosophy, she announced her push for in-state college tuition rates for the children of illegal immigrants, and amnesty for 65,000 illegal students upon high school graduation.
Such schitzo rhetoric won't fool pro-immigrant radicals, but it might fool white liberals who feel the issues, but don't track them.
Bush is vulnerable, both for his handling of border enforcement and, more distantly, for the GOP identification as the party that wants cheap labor. It's a questionable criticism historically, since a Dem congress passed the Texas Proviso in 1952 allowing illegals to work in texas, and Harry Truman signed the bill into law.
Dems can point to LBJ and Carter's efforts against such programs, but that doesn't buy them much space to maneuver between strong border adovcates and weak border Hispanics. Check out examples cited by John Fund in a great Opinion Journal piece on the subject:
Bill Henderson, NM's Dem gov and presidential hopeful declared a "state of emergency" in four border counties, citing "a chaotic situation involving illegal alien smuggling and illegal drug shipments," and earmarks new money for border enforcement.
But at a pro-immigrant worker rally, he said, "¡Viva la raza! . . . Thank you for coming to Santa Fe. Know that New Mexico is your home. We will protect you. You have rights here."
Hillary Clinton moved right on borders, calling for new enforcement techniques and stiff fines for employers of illegals, But when she addressed the National Council of La Raza, her rhetoric was different: Not a word on immigration, just money. True to Dem spend-to-win philosophy, she announced her push for in-state college tuition rates for the children of illegal immigrants, and amnesty for 65,000 illegal students upon high school graduation.
Such schitzo rhetoric won't fool pro-immigrant radicals, but it might fool white liberals who feel the issues, but don't track them.
posted by Laer at 5:31 AM
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