George W. Bush's prime time immigration speech on Monday, May 15th has done little to calm fears amongst the Republican faithful. With radical House members up in arms against any kind of 'amnesty' and seemingly unreconciled to the Senate version of the Immigration Bill, might it provide Democrats an opportunity to sow seeds of discord among the Republicans?
An interview that Rush Limbaugh conducted yesterday with Dick Cheney serves to illuminate a dilemma facing the Republicans. From the (subscription-based) Hotline
Save The House?
There's little evidence Pres. Bush's immigration speech calmed the base. Just read Rush Limbaugh's interview with VP Cheney (posted on The O.C.).
-- But it was another Rush comment that caught our eye: "This is frightening stuff that is happening in the Senate with their so-called compromise bills on immigration, and it is apparent to me that we cannot surrender control of the House." The House is where "the conservative movement, such that it is, exists."
More...
A few excerpts from Rush's
interview with Darth Vader.
May 16, 2006
What If Rush Limbaugh Interviewed VP Cheney And Tossed Not A Single Softball?
Q All right, question: Is the President -- are you and the President, the administration aware of the dissatisfaction on the whole issue of illegal immigration that exists not just within the Republican base, but within the country at large?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Yes, we are, I think, Rush. In my travels out around the country I've found for a long time now immigration -- illegal immigration, in particular -- to be a big issue. And it's true no matter what part of the country you go to. Of course, you find it down along the border in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico. But I also was out in the Seattle area the other day and talked to several folks out there, and it was a significant issue up there, too.
It takes different forms different places around the country, but it's a tough issue. It's complicated. It's important. So there are, I think, legitimate concerns out there on the part of a lot of folks...
Q Well, let's talk about what's going on in the Senate. There are a number of bills there. The compromise bill we're being told is Hagel-Martinez, two Republicans proposing this bill. Robert Rector at Heritage and Senator Sessions, who I know you respect, both did joint analyses of this bill and what they project using conservative estimates is anywhere from over the next 20 years, 110 million to 217 million legal immigrants entering the country, and illegals as part of that number, being granted legal status. What is the public policy purpose for doing that in these kinds of numbers?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I haven't seen their analysis, Rush. And at this point, of course, what you have in the House bill is specifically a border enforcement bill. What you've got in the Senate bill is a bill that goes after border enforcement but also in the -- you've got Hagel-Martinez, and there's a Kennedy-McCain. There are a lot of proposals kicking around. The Senate has not finalized its package yet, so we don't know what's going to come out of the conference. Obviously, we're going to want to look at it very carefully to make sure it does achieve the objectives the President has talked about.
The Hotline points out
-- Rush isn't alone. We've been hearing this refrain from a number of movement conservatives.
-- But forget passion and just look at the mechanics. The RNC is making it known they are more inclined to invest in House races because a dollar simply goes farther. Yesterday's PA conservative revolt tells us that conservatives aren't necessarily ready to not show up, but they need to rally for something. If Rush and other conservatives see the House and stopping Nancy Pelosi as a goal, it might make Tom Reynolds' life easier and add to EDole's headache.
Immigration will not be the only issue to determine the outcome of the 2006 Elections. But clearly it is one that has angered the Republican base. Several prominent conservative political analysts have recently made that point on cable tv and in newspaper columns. Is the Republican base -- to use a Vietnam analogy -- getting ready to save the House of Representatives by burning down the US Senate? And if so, what can Democrats do to assist them in reaching that goal? Is it dawning upon Limbaugh and the rest of the conservative base that control of the House (rather than the Senate) is critical to prevent the start of investigations and possible impeachment proceedings in 2007?
Don't forget to take the poll.
