Rethugs not worried about 2006 elections because of immigration issue.

[cantstandbush]

Talked to a friend who works on the Hill (Republican). Says they are just letting the Dems take front and center on the pro-illegal immigration amnesty. The immigration issue will be the "abortion" issue of 2006 and the Rethug base will respond in numbers. She says that at the local levels, illegal immigration trumps the Iraq issue and it's the one the Republicans will pull out six weeks before the elections to engage their base. She also says Dems are really out of touch with red state workers who will carry the election for Republicans.

I have a feeling she might be correct.

[bullimiami]

1. bullshit. if they are not scared its because they know they have it rigged

and that they control everything and america is dead.

[Mr_Spock]

2. I think that is extremely wishful thinking

As if the only two issues that sway a persons vote are illegal immigration & Iraq.

I didn't even realize the Repukes were united on this issue or that much different than Dems.

I disagree.

[cantstandbush]

3. the Rethugs don't need any more than ONE issue. That's all they can

handle. Remember, it's been mostly a single issue for past three elections: ABORTION! It gets enough of the base out to make a difference thanks to the religious right.

[azurnoir]

4. the repubs are not

at all united on this issue. they range from amnesty to felony and remember they not only have to keep their base happy, they have to keep their corporate bosses happy too:nopity:

[Justice Is Comin]

5. Tell her she's behind

on her brain pills.

Bush is up to his eyeballs in promoting amnesty.

[lumberjack_jeff]

7. Bush ain't running for anything.

He can afford to be the catalyst that brings the issue front and center. His proposal (and the Republican reaction to it) allows the opponents in his party to look like heroes to the working class voter, while Bush simultaneously holds true to his corporate masters. To save face they'll compromise on something that looks like amnesty and makes a whole lot of money for USA inc, while appearing superficially punitive, (i.e. no emergency room care for illegals) Unlawfulcombatant pointed out in another thread that one of the Republican sponsored bills would allow 100 million immigrants. Doubtless, it will be marketed as "getting the situation under control" and "cracking down on illegals".

The democratic response to the compromise will be something like, "the amnesty idea has merit, after all these are just hard working people trying to make a living, but denying emergency room care is not nice - not nice at all."

For Republicans, it's win-win. For us, not.

What vexes me is why democrats have to play along. If it's good for working americans, it should be supported by democrats. If it's bad for 'em, then oppose it.

Immigration (legal and illegal) is causing the working age population to grow faster than the job market - it's the primary reason that average wages are lower today than 30 years ago. Unrestricted immigration sucks for working americans.

The issue is an issue because voters see it as an topic of vital self-interest. We can pretend it's not so, but we'll lose if we do.

[Lexingtonian]

6. Well, you're wrong.

Neither you or your "friend" seem to actually read polls or know a whole lot of actual voters.

[Robert Oak]

8. Zogby Poll

Zogby poll shows things very differently from what is being touted on TV.

The phones are ringing off the hooks in Washington.

So, the polls that TV is touting are a little biased...they didn't ask about what's really in the Senate bill,
and many are opposed to the guest worker Visa, the massive increases in H-1B, the refusal to enforce employment law and so forth...
but the polls being touted on TV didn't ask those questions.

So, yes, I think this is going to backfire.

[genieroze]

9. It's bullshit, they are using this as an excuse for the rigging of

the elections.