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Conservatives Turning on Bush over Immigration

The anti-immigration forces are angrier at President Bush over his support of providing a path to citizenship for 12 million illegal aliens than his mishandling of the Iraq War, intrusions on their civil liberties by the FBI and other bureaucracies, and various scandals over his appointees. While I think the outrage is misplaced for reasons I’ve enumerated many times, some of the responses have been pretty amusing.

Ann Coulter:

President Bush was so buoyed by the warm reception he was given in Albania that he immediately gave all 3 million Albanians American citizenship, provided they learn Spanish. The offer was withdrawn when Bush found out most Albanians haven’t broken any U.S. laws.

A Michelle Malkin reader claims to have sent this to the RNC in response for a donation request:

Malkin Amnesty Bill = No $$$ Postcard

The Vatican is also getting involved, demanding Catholics stop funding Amnesty. (Actually, it’s Amnesty International, but they’re probably pro-immigration, too.)

About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.

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Since the Catholic Church is one of the largest pro-immigration groups in the U.S. I was thinking "clueless". It wasn't until I saw the "humor" tag that I realized you were were making a lame attempt at joke.

Posted by Director Mitch | June 14, 2007 | 07:27 pm | Permalink
 

James was raised in the south and shares that regions prejudice against the Catholic faith. Plus, as a conservative he has an ideological hostility to any competing set of beliefs that lead one to liberalism.

Wherever the one true faith is practiced liberal political values prevail. So James, naturally, is hostile.

Posted by ken | June 14, 2007 | 07:43 pm | Permalink
 

I think the "turning on Bush" label is a little misleading.

As I said elsewhere, this morning:

His actions of late, don’t surprise me at all. I always knew that he had it in him. Thing is, that still placed him head and shoulders above anyone that the Democrats were offering, and about 90% of what the Republicans have been offering of late, as well.

Here’s the thing; When you can’t move forward, ala Ronald Reagan, the best you can hope for is a holding action. In reality, that’s the best we could have hoped for a from Mr. Bush. Within that context, he hasn’t done all that badly, particularly given the curves thrown him by al-Qaida.

But, as an aside, all of this explains rather well why Thompson has been causing such a stir. He has, unlike the rest of the current field, all the appearances of someone who can actually move the situation forward.

We’ll see.

Posted by Bithead | June 14, 2007 | 08:07 pm | Permalink
 

I'm going to toss out some idle speculation, here.

GWB is already a lame duck. he has nothing to lose, politically. Whereas the Democrats have quite a bit to lose. In the end, Bush cannot really be damaged by any negative outcome, here. The democrats however and the Republicans in Name Only, many of whom have been quite loud in supporting this bill, can in fact be damaged, and I suggest have been damaged very seriously. The American people are going to remember who backed this monstrosity when the time comes.

Can you say Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and so on?

Think; Is it possible that what we’re looking at is a move designed to flush such people out of the shadows and into the harsh light of political reality, prior to ‘08? With lots of noise being made about the tarring and feathering of anyone who spoke up in support of this bill, and certainly anyone who voted for it from the rank and file of both parties, I would suggest that if that was a designed play, it could hardly have been played better.

OK, perhaps it’s a stretch. On the other hand, an awful lot of people have repeatedly underestimated GWB and his people.

Can this be another such occasion?

It'd be a masterstroke if it was.

Posted by Bithead | June 14, 2007 | 08:10 pm | Permalink
 

I have been meaning to blog on this, but I really do not understand the Bush-specific anger from the GOP. If there is one issue that Bush has been consistent on since his days as Governor of Texas has been immigration. This is not a new position for him, so I just don't understand the anger directed at him on this subject. I can understand that segments of the party don't like it, but those same segments of the party whole-heartedly worked to get him elected and re-elected.

Posted by Steven Taylor | June 14, 2007 | 08:57 pm | Permalink
 

Ken;
Liberal politics is based on theft, not charity.
Charity at gunpoint is certainly not charity at all.
Government is not, by it's nature capable of caring.

Posted by floyd | June 14, 2007 | 09:06 pm | Permalink
 

It wasn't until I saw the "humor" tag that I realized you were were making a lame attempt at joke.

Hey, they can't all be winners.

If there is one issue that Bush has been consistent on since his days as Governor of Texas has been immigration.

Yup. He's unabashedly courted the Hispanic vote and preached inclusiveness on this front. Indeed, he made a point of speaking to crowds in Spanish during the 2000 run.

Posted by James Joyner | June 14, 2007 | 10:52 pm | Permalink
 

James was raised in the south and shares that regions prejudice against the Catholic faith.

Yeah, everyone in the south is a bigoted redneck baptist. Luckily we have tolerant Catholics to point out our ignorant prejudices.

Posted by Michael | June 14, 2007 | 11:10 pm | Permalink
 

This so called welfare/reward Immigration Bill is a hoax on Americans. The so call "Senate Leaders" announced they do not want to hear more from the citizens & talk radio. They allowed no discussion on this, but sneak about working backroom deals. This Bill would reward the Democrats & Mexico only. If passed, would cost trillions in monthly supplemental checks for the unskilled, overload our schools, medical services, dilute our culture, etc.
I truly resent the President & so called Republican Senate Leaders over this issue and their trying to push this on the American Citizens, who have already spoken. secure the borders First!..
It is disgusting to see our so called leaders running around, making backroom deals, without any regard to the people, they pretend to serve.

Posted by Sue | June 18, 2007 | 06:19 pm | Permalink
 

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