What the GOP platform says about immigration
Amid the chaos of Hurricane Gustav and the feeding frenzy over Gov. Palin, Republicans passed their party platform yesterday. I blogged last week about some of the face-saving maneuvers the GOP was taking in platform negotiations and the unsuccessful effort by a few staunch enforcement Republicans to include language expressly opposing the open-borders euphemism, “comprehensive immigration reform.” Stephen Spruiell reports on the deal-making that led to the final results and notes that on immigration, there is “a significant shift from the 2004 platform, which brushed aside conservative concerns about immigration and called for the creation of temporary worker program and a path to citizenship.”
That’s good news. Now, whether the man at the top of the GOP ticket will stay in line with the party is another matter. Juan Hernandez is still a part of his team, but there have been some assurances that Gov. Palin is on the right side of the issue. Ultimately, it will be up to grass-roots conservatives to hold all of these R’s accountable. Palin is a plus, but we haven’t forgotten McShamnesty. I’m excerpting and reprinting the relevant part of the GOP platform section on immigration here. Make sure it doesn’t remain just a bunch of words on a page:
***
Immigration, National Security, and the Rule of Law
(View entire platform here)
Immigration policy is a national security issue, for which we have one test: Does it serve the national interest? By that standard, Republicans know America can have a strong immigration system without sacrificing the rule of law.
Enforcing the Rule of Law at the Border and Throughout the Nation
Border security is essential to national security. In an age of terrorism, drug cartels, and criminal gangs, allowing millions of unidentified persons to enter and remain in this country poses grave risks to the sovereignty of the United States and the security of its people. We simply must be able to rack who is entering and leaving our country.
Our determination to uphold the rule of law begins with more effective enforcement, giving our agents the tools and resources they need to protect our sovereignty, completing the border fence quickly and securing the borders, and employing complementary strategies to secure our ports of entry.
Experience shows that enforcement of existing laws is effective in reducing and reversing illegal immigration.
Our commitment to the rule of law means smarter enforcement at the workplace, against illegal
workers and lawbreaking employers alike, along with those who practice identity theft and traffic in
fraudulent documents. As long as jobs are available in the United States, economic incentives to enter illegally will persist. But we must empower employers so they can know withire are permitted to work. That means that the E-Verify system—which is an internet-based system that verifies the employment authorization and identity of employees—must be reauthorized. A phased-in requirement that employers use the E-Verify system must be enacted.
The rule of law means guaranteeing to law enforcement the tools and coordination to deport criminal aliens without delay — and correcting court decisions that have made deportation so difficult. It
means enforcing the law against those who overstay their visas, rather than letting millions flout the generosity that gave them temporary entry. It means imposing maximum penalties on those
who smuggle illegal aliens into the U.S., both for their lawbreaking and for their cruel exploitation. It means requiring cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement and real consequences, including the denial of federal funds, for self-described sanctuary cities, which stand in open defiance of the federal and state statutes that expressly prohibit such sanctuary policies, and which endanger the lives of U.S. citizens. It does not mean driver’s licenses for illegal aliens, nor does it mean that states should be allowed to flout the federal law barring them from giving in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens, nor does it mean that illegal aliens should receive social security benefits, or other public benefits, except as provided by federal law.
We oppose amnesty. The rule of law suffers if government policies encourage or reward illegal activity. The American people’s rejection of en masse legalizations is especially appropriate given the federal government’s past failures to enforce the law.
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John – psst – I think Bill is McCain…
But it’s the same ol’ (Mc)points. I keep asking, if McCain, who will have the support of Rs AND Ds supposedly (according to Bill) can’t get amnesty passed, how will b. Hussein who won’t have the support of both? Rs will finally start acting like Rs! And with the lowest approval ratings of any congress ever, I highly doubt the Ds will gain.
Of course, Bill just twists up my question and can’t answer it. I know we’re all sounding like broken records at this (Mc)point.
I was thinking the same thing but then McCain stated that he doesn’t know how to use the Internet.
great in theory – now just getting them to do it.
Good stuff Michelle. And as you said, “we haven’t forgotten McShamnesty.”
As some here will remember, I’m one of the “I’d rather be waterboarded” crowd but will state now that I am willing to listen to McCain’s speech at this convention (Gov. Palin’s as well). His support, or lack of support, for the above plank will help me decide whether to vote for them or not. I think the Governor was an excellent choice but it is McCain who will be driving the wagon. So, we’ll wait and see.
I agree with Bill Grant. As for immigration pre se, the opinion polls are on our side not the dems, so sooner not later even McCain will have to deal with it in the proper way (Border Enforcement, and then a debate as to whether we really want to enlarge or shrink the level and origin of immigration). I urge patience, and keeping the longterm in view, and be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater in november.
Did you folks see the picture of Sarah Palin sitting down with Cindy McCain and Laura Bush today? Do you think Joe Biden also had a nice tea with Michele Obama, or do you think it illustrates exactly how little McCain actually thinks of or cares about Palin’s conservative roots?
Me.I’m in the latter camp. She’s a trojan horse. Once McCain is elected, her opinion on foreign policy and immigration will cease to be a factor.
As will ours. Again.
There are many people who like Palin, because she gives you the sense that she will “Do the Right Thing.”
John, Do the Right Thing!
Oblablah has HopeyChangey
McCain/Palin should have Do the Right Thing
It should be the bases rallying cry.
I can’t believe you would even consider saying that. McCain has reversed himself on immigration, on offshore drilling, on picking a candidate who could have brought in a battle ground state and won the race to pick the conservative wet dream that was being demanded here, baggage and all as well as other issues he has abandoned or shoved aside to appease the all or nothing crowd. He has REPEATEDLY demonstrated to you that he IS listening.
That’s because Obama was only in the senate for 143 days before he started running for president and his only legislative accomplishment that he can honestly take credit for is the, brace yourself: Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act. The only thing this fool that you WANT to elect can honestly take credit for is a bill that sends money to the Congo.
I am not running either. Unless you want anyone who so much as looks at us wrong vaporized by a full on thermal nuclear first strike you do not want me elected.
So because they had tea it illustrates exactly how little McCain thinks of or cares about conservatives….
You can’t make this stuff up. That just makes no sense what so ever.
Sorry Bill, I just can’t consider the Palin family as “baggage”.
I think this will answer your question, I am not sure because it wasn’t technically coherent.
Presidents sign bills into law or veto them when they come in from Congress. Obama will have a democrat-controlled senate and a democrat controlled House of Representatives and doesn’t have to worry about alienating his base by signing Amnesty. If you were to raise a fuss with Obama he will just write you off as a bigot.
McCain will be against a democrat congress that he has no incentive to cooperate with on this. He has also promised to secure the borders first by getting the governors to sign off on border security. The governors have no incentive to do that because it will mean less money coming at them in order to secure the borders. Additionally, it offers pro enforcement people an opportunity to prevent a reform bill that isn’t on our terms.
One more thing, if you are still reading, If McCain is promoted to commander and chief he will be out of the law writing business. He will be replaced with a conservative from the good people of Arizona. If Obama is promoted he will just be replaced with another Chicago political machine open borders scumbag.
If you think you gain influence by losing elections you are wrong.
And if you don’t think McCain can get Amnesty passed what are you objection to at this point?
I was referring to the fact that it diminishes McCain’s “experience” argument but you are free to consider or not consider whatever you want. Your considerations may or may not win the election. There were capable people who could have run along side McCain that were effectively vetoed by the right because they didn’t pass some litmus test. Now you have been given everything that was asked for and it is still evidentially not enough for some.
The game of chicken is over. Since he is taking public financing it might be even too late to contribute. If you think a last minute rally by these self proclaimed uber conservatives will be enough to keep this incredibly well financed Machine of Obamas out you are completely wrong.
I truly wonder how well financed Oblahblah actually is, and how much is hype.
As for financing, did you miss the 10 mil brought in in the three days since Palin was named?
There is energy now in the base, including me, who will now donate to McCain. I had refused at all levels for the past year and a half.
Yes, McCain brought in 10 million, that after Thursday when he is voted Nominee, he can no longer spend since he’s chosen Public Funds. That money was for the Primaries… The Public Funds will be for the Campaign.
I’m curious to know where all that money will go. Anyone answer that?
The document says they will deny support to “self-described” sanctuary cities? Big loophole. Denver does not officially admit it is as a sanctuary city but it acts like one. We live outside the city but its a magnet for illegals and our suburban services suffer. This document does not inspire confidence.
On September 2nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm, Joy said:
Oh, you think so do you?
Go ahead Joy, keep deluding yourself. Keep telling yourself that you and others like you here at MM are so pure and righteous in your conservative principals that the McCain camp has read your words and the candidate is bending over backwards, especially for you.
The McCain camp is doing what it does for the sake of the country and for ALL Americans, Joy.
John McCain is a shrewd politician who knows his way around American politics with his eyes shut and his hands tied behind his back.
He’s didn’t bring Palin on board because the Christians on this forum were pouting, stomping their little feet and demanding to have their way OR ELSE. He didn’t bring Palin on board for the arrogant elitists here at MM who are so lacking in Christian humility that they believe themselves to be a collective instrument of God, and think that they’ve ushered in Sarah Palin as God’s gift to humanity all by themselves.
Yeesh… I purposely stayed away from the “condiment” thread for just this reason. I just couldn’t stomach the self-serving comments.
You think far too much of yourself, Joy… as do many here.
D*mnit Joy, see what you did. You brought back the name calling troll. Shame on you. Let’s just hope she departs for good this time.