I am biased, but,
I think the Republicans have caused a schism in their party. They have alienated the "conservatives" by failing to keep a surplus, and by going into a deficit. i think they have alienated the "moderates" by failing to address corruption, and be at the heaqrt of the corruption. As a result, I think that the republican party has the potential to cause itself to loose power, simple because of fighting within. The immigration debate is a prime example of the problem. The "conservatives" want to ship everyone back, no amnesty, no guest worker, and make anyone who even looks at a illegal/undocumented worker a felon. The moderates want to do less about enforcement, and more about guest worker/amnesty. With the republican camps talking that the sides will look at reality when the vacation is over indicates to me that there is some hard feelings between republicans on the issue. I would think that language is reserved for democrats most of the time. With regards immigration, the republicans don't get it. The people that are here are here to stay. No law is going to kick them out. On paper maybe, but not realistically. But, the republicans are coming out as the bad guys in this case because, while everyone wants enforcement, the republicans are looking as if they are against any immigration. Republicans are mobilizing an unseen, unheard from political force. A political force that, had Bush not been able to increase his votes in by a couple of percent, would have lead to his not being elected in 2004. As a result, immigration may play more of a role in getting voters out to the polls, than anything else. Unfortunately for the republicans, the way they are handling it means the force will be for the democrats, and any gain Bush saw in 2004 may be lost.
And, all of the illegals here today, who think the republicans are against them, are only a generation away from voting.
gas prices, equal monster profits for big oil. The result of the war, our trade with china, uneasyness with south america, and sometimes chilly relationship with Russia. All issues which can be placed squarely on the backs of the republicans, if the democrats get their stuff straight.
Totally pontification.
