Dan Riehl says the rumored "compromise" on illegal immigration legislation is a loser for the Republicans - and for the country.
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.
Riehl's right. Any "compromise" that doesn't result in the federal government building a serious border fence and finally getting control of our borders - and doing it before any thought is given to providing the 12 million illegals already here with some sort of "path to citizenship," or "guest worker" program - is a compromise of national security, national sovreignty and political viability.
Americans don't want "paths to citizenship" and "guest worker" programs for illegals - they want a fence. Compromising with the Democrats on illegal immigration reform benefits the Democrats, who don't want a fence but do want to turn 12 million illegals into 12 million Democratic voters as fast as they can, border security and national sovreignty be damned.
By compromising with Democrats, immigration reform becomes a "bi-partisan" project, thus preventing Americans from understanding who is most to blame for there being no fence.
Democrats have majorities in the House and Senate - they have the votes to pass whatever immigration reform plan they want. So, let them. Let them pass reform legislation that scraps the fence and rewards 12 million border-jumpers with quicker routes to legal status
At least that way voters would understand who to punish in '08.
First, the fence.
What's so difficult about that for Republicans to understand?
Update: Hugh Hewitt has more on the coming political disaster of a compromise, including GOP "talking points" on the compromise that he calls "four pages of crap."
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