Has bringing up immigration bill been a political success for GOP?

[yurbud]

Whatever the final outcome is, it seems like the goal was to score political points going into the midterm elections. Did it work?

Also, why isn't anyone investigating whether these congressmen who called for felony penalties for illegals have any illegals working in their businesses, or businesses of their major donors? Anyone who takes money from a farmer has indirectly profited from illegal labor.

[greekspeak]

1. This is not a simple yes or no question, really

There is media spin, there is political posturing, radio badmouthing, finger pointing and all the rest to slog through. These hyenas are backed into a corner. How they come out fighting will make all the difference. Will they play the racecard? More than likely. Brown menaces play nicely to a lot of white Americans. Worked fairly well in diffusing outcry over the crimes committed against NOLA residents to put on a few dozen pictures of non-whites "looting." America is still, I beleive, an overwhelmingly xenophobic, racist nation. This can range from frothing bigots in hoods to NIMBY elitists from all areas of the political spectrum.

[yurbud]

2. thanks that reminds me--left one option off...distraction from IRAQ

and other crimes.

[ThoughtCriminal]

3. In the same way a toe stub distracts from a headache

Shiavo - that hurt, but now I feel the headache again. Hey, I can stub a toe on my other foot!

[yurbud]

8. stub toe to distract from cancer

[rocktivity]

4. Depends on what their ultimate goal is.

To turn illegal workers into voters? An extra 11 million of them would sure come in handy for the GOP in 2008 (they'd even outnumber the Jethros). But that means the workers would have to complete the "path to citizenship" in two years. Sounds bureaucratically impossible, but I put nothing past the GOP anymore.

To thank their corporate/financial backers? An amnesty program will of course encourage more illegal workers to sneak across our borders, which will further reduce labor's earning and political power. But if the bill dies, the worst the GOP will do is break even because it's a distraction from Iraq and Leakgate and, of coruse, they get to blame it on the Dems!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Radical Activist]

5. Yes. It divided working class people.

If the Republican Party can get a sizable portion of working class voters on their side over any issue, its a victory for them.

[BillZBubb]

6. Huge success. They could ride this to victory in November.

They've already got the "issue" on the front burner. A plurality now say illegal immigration is the NUMBER 1 problem facing the country!!!!! Immigration is the perfect wedge issue for the Repugs--just enough implicit racism to fire up their base and a complex issue to befuddle and split the Democrats.

As it draws attention away from real problems like exploding gasoline prices, the mess in Iraq, a sea of red ink, and a bifurcated economy, it strengthens their position. So far, it's been a huge success for them.

[bluedog]

7. it puts a strain on both parties..there is no winner

[AtomicKitten]

9. Immigration is a vehicle the GOP thought they could ride to 2006.

Knowing they haven't touched this issue in six years and rolled it out now is proof-positive the Bushies and Rove think this is a winner for them. However, what seems to be occurring is racism rearing its ugly head on the right side of the aisle (contrary to the claims that racism is a wedge issue on the left). The issue is much too complex to throw anything at without careful consideration, and it would behoove Dems to step back a bit, block the odious Sensenbrenner/Tancredo hate bills, and let the GOP implode.

This CAN be a winner for the Dems if they frame it as a security issue tempered with humanity. No one can argue with the fact that our not too distant relatives rode the boat over and that immigration is the soul of America.

Fatass companies that prey on undocumented workers need to be targeted.

Oh, and while they're at it, they should also target the unpatriotic corporations that base offshore to avoid paying taxes, but I digress.

[Phoonzang]

10. They wouldn't have brought it up if it wasn't..

...something they could use as a wedge issue in the midterms. I don't see it helping them so far, but it could have an effect later on. The longer they draw it out, the more "outrage" builds. To be safe, democrats need to get this dealt with soon, one way or another. Come up with some kind of bill....we need this out of the way by the summer. We need the attention back on what's really wrong with this country...Dubya and co, Iraq, corruption, etc.

[newscott]

11. THE POLITICS OF MASS DISTRACTION.

Anyone who paid more than 5 minutes attention to this ploy is truly a sucker.