The McCain Moment and the Future of the GOP

I'm sure I'm no different than many who dislike McCain's liberal tendencies, but who'll vote for him if that's what we end up with.

But....-'the idiocy of the "build the fence and kick them out"'-crowd sounds like an easy pot shot, like the many taken by Bush to McCain, when a majority of Americans finally screamed out enough. Illegal immigration is a major issue that impacts the lives of millions of citizens. In the argument, as in most, two extremes are the ones that get air time. But I could certainly mention the idiocy of leaving our borders open, granting blanket amnesty to the millions of illegals here, setting up the next 10-20 years for a new wave of 20-30 million more {or more} illegals flooding our country, transforming more jobs into ones "Americans refuse to do", overwhelming our social services, educational institutions, and a taboo mention here...changing the fabric of America.

There's seems to be a sense among our elite that whatever comes down the road, we the people are expected to eat it. All things, all concerns, get sacrificed at the alter of "free market forces" or "Globalization". If we become alarmed that 1 in 7 born in Mexico are now living here, we're called racists, not because we are, but simply because the standard lines politicians and business interests have relied on for years doesn't wash anymore. Picking tomatoes may be a job "Americans refuse to do". I "assure" you that millions of construction, mechanical, factory, mining, and other blue collar categories are jobs that citizens want. What's been happening at the "street level" is that millions of illegals have been transforming normal career paths for uneducated/undereducated citizens into opportunities for illegals. Anyone is free to consider this a good thing. But it ignores Supply and Demand, within legal confines. Last time I checked, it's illegal for illegals to take a job, or be hired in the States. Obviously if we rely on an inexhaustible supply of dirt cheap labor, the cost of that labor goes down. This MAY have the effect of short term gain in somewhat lower prices on things that utilize illegal workers. The longer term harm, destroying whole industries that used to employ citizens, and the mushrooming burden on tax-payer financed services. And what of the many more millions to come here illegally if we don't get a handle on it now? I'm convinced that what we've seen to date in numbers will look like a trickle 10-20 years from now. Mexico is one country south of the border. We've currently got illegals entering from many Latin-American countries.

From the start of this nation we've controlled our destiny, or made the attempt. It's a natural thing countries do. There's nothing inherently evil or racist in it. If you or anyone else knows of a precedent where we've allowed a carte blanche illegal immigration of millions entering the U.S., while doing next to nothing about it, I'd like to know.

Personally I don't believe we're going to kick anyone out, other than perhaps the worst of the criminal element. I'm not looking for that and I don't believe most "anti-amnesty" folks are. What we want and demand is that we treat this as the severe problem it is, that we stop the invasion, and force those wishing to immigrate to do so legally.

Bill - so you're a McCain guy, eh? I despise McCain based on his performance for umpteen years in the senate----He's nothing more than a career politician - and his voting record speaks for itself. If he gets the GOP nomination it will be ONLY due to his appeal to independent voters and the media. He has done far far to much in the past 8 years alone to leave a very bad taste in the mouth of conservatives. The Reagan co-alition has been splintered ----but I believe that there are others still in the field who would do better trying to put back together the house that Reagan built. McCain is wrong on taxes, he is wrong on immigration, he is only PARTLY right on the war, he is wrong on freedom of speech/campaign finance reform and the list goes on and on and on. NO WAY, John McCain....no way!

The Republican Party has badly lost its way, but more importantly, it has backed its way into the clearly marked minefield. In their search to regain the lost "greatness" of Reagan, they seek an illusion. It was never as good as it seemed under Reagan, and the Republicans mourn him overmuch. They thought they had another Reagan in Bush the Dumber. Boy were they wrong.

Conservatives and Republicans no longer overlap to the degree they once did. McCain won't unite the Conservatives, he can't: he's not exactly a Conservative. He's exhibited too much bipartisanship, and his honesty is repellent in some quarters, especially the corporate executive suites. Where TR and LaFollette championed the common man, the current Republican looks far more like a Tory.

I'm so disappointed that McCain is even a possibility. The guy is a jerk who wouldn't even support the people of Arizona when he was the Governor. I see McCain as 3 Dubyas.

Good article Bill.

I enjoyed your insights.

As to where corporate America will cast their votes could get very interesting if Bloomberg gets in the race. Sure, he's a former Dem, but I think they'd (the CEOs) feel that he at least understands them.

Do you think Micheal B. will jump in the race?

Do you personally know anybody that would vote for McCain? He's such a pathetic boob. Kind of like voting for Bill O or Rush L for president...might fool some of the people some of the time. Bill, you seem intelligent, tell me you're not a McCain fan? Tell me that you think having a federal government tyrant at the helm could somehow be a good thing for this country?

Bill, nicely put together article, but I would hate to see you jump, spur of the moment into a McCain future when he has several things going against him. As we can see the newest topic is the economy, and it will continue to be, and McCain's ability to understand the economy in any reasonable fashion simply leads him into S&L mistaken support he's already given.

In my opinion he will stick to his security is everything rant until he's passed by Mitt and crushed by his well paid and run election team that puts forth the best Republican product you will see this year. The Republicans will be swayed by his money and his business acumen, which will be the best chance the Republican party will have this year.

It's all about the money, we saw Thompson drop out, thank god, as he has no money. We see Giuliani in desperate straits in Florida, currently running third and soon to be out, the rest will see their fates written on the strings of money that will dry up.

Personally I thought McCain had the best speech after his win in New Hampshire and the best I've heard so far. Super Tuesday is on it's way and the political machine that is Mitt's candidacy will give him many results like he had in Nevada where he will be able to afford to compete throughout all the states, most of his competitors will fall by the wayside long before he runs out of money.

I'm surprised that you support McCain when clearly he's still muddled up with the rest of them.

Forest

Seriously. These career politicians. This is the best America can produce? Where's Perot when you need him?

I remember the Reagan amnesty bill, meant to correct the problem from that time forward. The one in 07 was meant to do the same thing, from 07 onward. If McCain and Dems or Hillary or Obama and Dems push one through we'll be looking at the next one in 10-20 years.

The American people have generally been asleep on this problem, except that as more and more citizens are impacted by it one way or the other they've been waking up.

By the way, I'm not into guaranteed wage, minimum wage, "equal" pay for "equal" work, or unions {except in some types of work like coal mining where lives can be risked a little to easily at times}. I don't believe in keeping all industries afloat, but do believe some are critical to our long term security, NOT for the purpose of keeping "well-paying" jobs around.

As a life-long democrat, this has been an interesting look at the other side. I agree with you that McCain will be the nominee. And I also believe that he could win.

Bill, I've made a decision. I'm going to stop reading your comments and start reading your articles. On my watch list. Nice job.