"Read My Lips - No New Illegals"

[kentuck]

In 1988, George Bush Sr said those immortal words, "Read my lips - no new taxes". Those words later came back to haunt him. And the lower that his polls fell, the heavier those words.

Now, it may be that George Bush Jr has made an equivalent statement with his speech last night about illegal immigration. Just as with his father, the base turned him off. Unfortunately for Bush Sr, they never turned him back on.

Like his father, who in 1988 was playing to the base of the Republican Party, Junior finds himself in the same position. Instead of playing to tax-cutting side of the Party, this time Junior finds himself trying to appease the radical Minutemen who have adopted illegal immigration as the defining issue of their Party.

This does not bode well for Dubya Bush. He is very near his father's 29% in the polls and the clock is ticking. Although he has vowed not to follow the footsteps of his father in Iraq, in domestic politics he seems to be wearing the same shoes.

Luckily for Dubya, he does not have to run again. However, the Republican Party tied a Gordian knot around Dubya and his policies and they cannot free themselves from their Leader. Many would like to put distance between themselves and the President, but it is not possible. All elections are now about George W Bush, they are not "local". The Republican Party changed all that and now, they must sleep in the bed they have made.

[savemefromdumbya]

1. I'm surprised Bush chose a tricky issue such as immigration

it's a no winner

[billybob537]

2. Exactly

It's a LOSE-LOSE for Republicans. He didn't choose it, it blew up in his face. It's a real devider for the DECIEDER, it's a no win. So the best we can do for old Snicker and LIE is keep it in the news.

[underpants]

7. I'm not this has been in the making for months

I heard it first mentioned, often mentioned, on RW radio about a year ago. This was yet another issue that would be used to stir up the base wedge Americans on one side or another (really this is a strawman) and then dropped like a hot rock after the midterms. Funny thing happened though-this was jumped on by much of the more radical Republicans (those who actually show their freaky freeper faces in the sun) and the Republican powers that be had nothing for them when they demanded something. They never were expecting to actually have to do anything. Basically it blew up right in their own face.

W nows has to sound like one of them considerate complicated caring LIBERALS where everything isn't black and white and some discussion and understanding is needed for such a complicated issue (as you said). This doesn't sit well with the rabble.

On a side note this has brought out the most nasty and dispicable racism, xenophobic, and flat out ignorant elements of the right for all to see. Take a look America this is them and while they are out carrying signs about "illegal US citizens" and such the Republicans in control are extending $41,000 tax breaks for millionares and $46 ones for everyone else. Not that anyone in the "liberal media" would ever dare report on it.

---I think I just wrote a Letter to the editor.

[kentuck]

8. and a good one....

:)

[underpants]

9. Here is what I submitted (probably too wordy) for an LTTE

I heard the immigration issue first mentioned, often mentioned, on rightwing radio about a year ago. This was yet another issue that would be used to stir up the base, wedge Americans on one side or another (really this is a straw man), and then be dropped like a hot rock after the midterms. Funny thing happened though-this was jumped on by many usually docile and private Republicans and the Republican powers that be had no solutions for them. They never were expecting to actually have to do anything. Basically it blew up right in their own face-sort of a repeat of the Schiavo handmade debacle.

Bush now has to sound like one of them considerate complicated caring liberals where everything isn't black and white and some discussion and understanding is needed for such a complicated issue. It is difficult to balance between those who pay for your strings and those who love to look up at the puppet dancing.

This has brought out the most nasty and despicable racist, xenophobic, and flat out ignorant elements of the right for all to see. Take a look America this is them and while they are out carrying signs about "illegal US citizens” the Republicans in control are extending $41,000 tax breaks for millionaires and $46 ones for everyone else. Not that anyone in the "liberal media" would ever dare report on it.

So now we have a 1,000 mile hole that we will pour people and money into when what is clearly needed is an upgrade in the technology used by the INS and some hiring to better track those already in this country (maybe those volunteers can really make a difference here). Wait that wasn’t so complicate after all….if you actually want to fix this supposed problem.

[Skink]

3. Didn't Poppy raise taxes anyway?

[kentuck]

4. Yes....

Because the "voodoo economics" had driven the deficits up to $290 billion dollars and the economy was stagnating. So, he went along with some tax increases to restore confidence in the markets. He should get more credit for turning around the economy than he does. Clinton get most of the credit but Bush Sr started the ball rolling.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. "All elections are now about George W Bush, they are not "local". "

Would that that were true.

I understand what you're saying, and in many ways I agree. But then I also know the bitter underlying reality: No matter what polls say, most incumbents win reelection. While the generic Dem/Repub congressional polls are all going our way, a look at polls in individual races is far less favorable.

Our job is to **ensure** that the races are all national. That's a tall order. Not impossible. But tall, to be sure.

[kentuck]

6. I know that Tip O'Neill said "all politics is local" but...

that was a different time. I truly believe that every Republican running for election or reelection is running with George W Bush by their side. Because they chose to divide the nation into camps - they chose to tie their wagon to Dubya's star. How would they have known that it was about to burn out?