Michael Gerson wrote an insightful op-ed in the Washington Post. He talks about the future of the Republican Party if they continue to choose to ignore the extremists when it comes to immigration and reform. Although Senator Martinez has yet to publicize WHY he left the Republican Party, it is not too far fetched to believe it may be the hateful extreme rhetoric espoused by many on the extreme right about Latinos.
Mel Martinez’s recent resignation from the U.S. Senate was for personal and family reasons. But the departure of the Republican Party’s most visible Hispanic leader crackles with political symbolism.
Conservative shock radio, on its frightening fringes, can be overtly racist, referring to Mexican immigrants as “leeches,” “the world’s lowest primitives” and diseased carriers of the “fajita flu” who may “wipe their behinds with their hands.” Pat Buchanan sells books with this title: “State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America.”
As Martinez points out, many Republicans who oppose his pro-immigration views are not divisive or inflammatory. But other, angry voices crowd them out. As a result, Republican support among Latinos is collapsing. In Martinez’s home state of Florida, for example, 56 percent of Hispanic voters cast ballots for George W. Bush in 2004. Four years later, 57 percent voted for Barack Obama.
This country needs a robust Republican Party, but if they continue to pander to the extremists on every issue, it will be some time before healthy productive debate returns.
They not only don’t pander to extremists, they don’t pander to conservatives. The Republican party stands for nothing save the acquisition of personal power via marketing oneself as “conservative”.
People like Martinez helped to strip the Republican party of its identity.
Calling people “leeches” is not extreme? Calling the flu “fajita flu” is not extreme? The voters are telling the republican party that their tactics are not working. I believe the old saying goes something like “if you do the same thing over and and over and expect different results, that is insantiy” Keep calling out Latinos as cockroaches and subspecies, that will go far…………NOT.
Remind me again where the swine flu originated?
You can’t blame the leaders of the Republican party for those quotes, reasonably.
My experience is that there is much more racism among Democrats than Republicans. Because the Democrats pander to the working class/labor/whatever, many of their racist actions/comments get ignored. Many Democratic leaders for example are openly anti-Semitic, yet it does not have the same impact.
Gerson is right of course. You don’t need me to tell you that. Long term, a collapse at the feet of extremist hate politics will be a Palin-esque catastrophe for the GOP.
In the short term, however, there is still a lot of juice left in the “prejudice first, country second but call everyone else a traitor” political strategy. Primarily this is because the demographic shifts that doom said strategy are only beginning. The writing is on the wall. But if you’re sitting up on Capitol Hill collecting the lobbyist dollars and cashing in favors, the short term is all you can see. Thus, I suspect the shortsighting wing nuts will continue to dominate the true Conservatives until we have a 2012 nominee like Lindsay Graham or Bobby Jindall.
Kelly, are you referring to Jesse Jackson? He was definitely called out over that remark.
I don’t think we can say that Democrats pander to the working class a bit more than Republicans. Both parties are experts at pandering. You just favor one more than the other. When I look around at the pandering that has gone on with the Religious Right, I am amazed you would say such a thing.
Read the infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County has had
his department’s immigration enforcement powers diminished by ICE.
Hopefully, the showboating on both sides of this issue will
start to decline.
Do you have a link for us, Poor Richard?
I’m a hard-core Democrat and I invite the Republicans to continue the tactics Gerson described. They are welcome to drive people away. It’s so stupid on their part because immigrants tend to be much more socially conservative than we liberals.
Gerson also had a nice take on what you all referred to as pandering:
“…it is a moral achievement of democracy that it eventually forces political parties to appeal to minorities and outsiders instead of demonizing them. The scramble for votes, in the long run, requires inclusion.”
Interesting perspective!
Great quote Firedancer! Yes, it’s all about getting elected in a democracy. Can’t get elected if people don’t vote for you, pretty simple reality.
Poor Richard,
Yes, agree, somewhere in the middle is the reasonable solution.
Lindsay Graham is only my most respectable republican list these days, has been for some time actually. Wasn’t he in the gang of 12?
So, you poor misguided folks that think the Republican party is committing suicide by pandering to it’s extreme right element, I have a question for you. What exactly do y’all think is happening in the Corruptocratic party right now?
What is happening, Slowpoke? And what are you saying? There’s no corruption on the Republican side? Individuals are corrupt on both sides, and there are decent individuals on both sides as well.
Yeah, what is happening in the Democratic party?
Ralph Nader will be at Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C.
Thursday, October 8, 2009, 6 p.m. to 7:30
Go there and thank Ralph for giving us eight years of the Bush regime.
As for the Republicans, after the Bush debacle with the domestic spying, torture and pissing all over the Constitution, Americans must never trust the Republicans to lead our nation again; no not ever!
The Republican Party practically begs minorities to join, but the Conservatives in it still want a Conservative agenda. That makes Republicans the party of bigots? Democrats obsess oh race and gender issues, but Republicans are bigots?
Every nation except the United States, apparently, is allowed to retain its cultural identity. Even the nations whose citizens invade this nation in the largest numbers exercise control over their own borders, and no one calls them bigots. Instead we complain about bigoted right-wing radio and thrill at the prospective demise of the Republican Party.
If you folks at ANTI-BVBL are really concerned about the rights of American citizen, then read the Bible, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. From the Bible originated Western Civilization’s respect for inalienable human rights, particularly the concept of Freedom of Religion. In America, respect for human rights first found practical application through colonial governments. Eventually, a new nation formally adopted the idea that we should protect the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by ratifying the Constitution.
Unfortunately, the rest of the world is still catching on. In fact we have taken a step or two backwards. That is because the leaders of the Democratic Party have convinced so many that human rights equates to a right to collect entitlements and welfare. Given that so many are already ignorant of our heritage, it makes no sense whatsoever worsen the situation by flooding the USA with a bunch of poorly educated people. Such people can be too easily convinced freedom means everything is free.
Why do you refuse understand something so obvious? Instead of calling others bigots, you might want to check out that person who looks back at you in the mirror.
Citizen Tom, I really find what you say extremely offensive. You are the bigot because you come here and look at us all as one rather than individuals who have united on a blog to exchange ideas.
Amongst the admins, there are 2 Independents and 1 Republican. Our contributors are made up of Independents, Republicans, and Democrats. You have applied the broadbrush to everyone here.
One would have to live in a cave not to notice the vitriolic attack on this current administration and anyone from moderate to liberal. It is deplorable.
Why would any minority want to be a Republican? I have yet to even understand the Log Cabin Republicans. In order to get people to join, you have to offer something for them to identify with, appeal to their belief system. That is the place to start–not with platitudes or trotting out token Latinos or blacks.
Slowpoke, remember that there is a huge middle out there that is neither Democrat or Republican. Those are the folks you need to worry about. They are pretty grossed out with what they are hearing and seeing.
These are the comments that I received by Obama supporters during the past election.
This is hate speech to a Latino just because I am a Republican.
“Scab, wetback, retard, “Tito – another illegal immigrant probably allowed to vote. Sad. ” Not enough of a BRAIN either. PENDEHO!!, greaseball, is an idiot if he believes McPalin, Cabron, Pendejo, please deport this dumb ass. This spic, I’m calling Tito a freakin spic. Tito the “spic” has just been deported. Tito the freakin “spic” I think that hat is too tight and has impaired your ability to think — maybe it’s just genetic”
They have been winning a lot of elections lately. That is because the Democrats have been getting far more votes than Republicans have. That is because Republicans are appealing to a very narrow base of mostly uneducated white people. And there aren’t enough uneducated white people to win elections like there used to be.
If the Republicans want to start winning elections again, they need to expand their appeal beyond uneducated white people. That would be my suggestion, take it or leave it.
That’s what I was looking for, thank you for answering. Now I know where you’re coming from. An expert on uneducated white people. Probably lots and lots of experience.
Citizen Tom take your holier than thou comments back to your blog.
Citizen Tom,
You know as well as I do that Thomas Jefferson was HUGELY influenced by John Locke, one of my hero’s. His philosophy was revolutionary and required people to think for themselves. He was not influenced by the BIBLE as a means to rule a nation, in fact, he believed in the premise that church and state should be seperate.
And exactly “who is flooding the nation” ? Are you speaking about immigrants? My family came here during a “flood” of immigrant jews from Russia, should my ancestors been denied the opportunity to be here? Are you one of those people that harken back to your “revolutionary” british ancestory that suggests YOU are the real “bloodline” of this country?
We have survived as a unique nation BECAUSE of our ability to remain different and yet still be Americans at heart. I don’t need to read the BIBLE to know that this country is based on a value that people OFTEN distort and abuse and kill because of their belief in their one true
G-d.
“Locke exercised a profound influence on political philosophy, in particular on modern liberalism. Michael Zuckert has in fact argued that Locke launched liberalism by tempering Hobbesian absolutism and clearly separating the realms of Church and State. He had a strong influence on Voltaire who called him “le sage Locke”. His arguments concerning liberty and the social contract later influenced the written works of Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and other Founding Fathers of the United States. In fact, several passages from the Second Treatise are reproduced verbatim in the Declaration of Independence, most notably the reference to a “long train of abuses.” Such was Lockes influence, Thomas Jefferson wrote; “Bacon, Locke and Newton..I consider them as the three greatest men that have ever lived, without any exception, and as having laid the foundation of those superstructures which have been raised in the Physical and Moral sciences”.[6][7][8] Today, most contemporary libertarians claim Locke as an influence.”
Tito,
I am wondering, how did you know they were Obama supporter? No matter who said it, that is simply unacceptable.
However, you can not deny that the Republicans have been using the immigration issue as a stumping talking point, not the democrats. Were you watching the same election as I was? 9500 Liberty is going to be shown in Woodbridge on Friday night, I really urge you to attend. FAIR’s attorney speaks to the issue of immigration and Republicans needed it for an electoral win. Please don’t “shoot” the messenger, I am just sharing what seems to be obvious as a general rule, the Republican Party is simply not seen as a big tent party.
Hi Tito,
I am curious also how you know they are Obama supporters. Where did your experiences happen? I guess rudeness comes in all varieties.
Elena is right. Locally, in particular, Republicans have used the immigration issue and downright hatred of illegal immigrants to garner political support and votes.
Hopefully you will join us Friday night for the Prince William premier. 8 pm at St Paul’s Methodist Church in Woodbridge.
Elena, you can read the comments on a YouTube video and read “1BlackNubian” he commented 11 months ago and at the end he signed Obama/Biden 08/12, and there are many others. This is the link: http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=Dv6lvACMJBo&fromurl=/watch%3Fv%3DDv6lvACMJBo%26feature%3DPlayList%26p%3DAA8ABE519B710644%26index%3D0%26playnext%3D1
“Locally, in particular, Republicans have used the immigration issue and downright hatred of illegal immigrants to garner political support and votes. ”
Like when Chuck Colgan promised to fight illegal immigration in a colorful flyer mailed at great expoense to each local household.
Citizen Tom,
Your suggestion that ‘illegals’ are looking for a free lift is not my experience in knowing these individuals. Is there or is there not a basic desire of humans to better their situation? This is the pursuit of happiness. You do realize that maybe around 40% of legal immigrants today were at some point in time undocumented?
Let me ask you, your ancestors that immigrated here were they rich & educated? I can tell you that it typically has not been the case. For example, many Irish came to this country during the potato famine. Have their descendants remained uneducated and poor? No. Why because of their desire to better themselves and their families. Guess what there’s no difference with this group of immigrants.
Also, FYI, our legal immigration system is primarily based on familial relationships not educational status. So, the ‘uneducated’ are not necessarily solely undocumented. Additionally, I do see there was a benefit from their labor in the construction boom. Also, highly educated individuals don’t typically chose to go out in the fields and pick crops. So there does seem to be some need for these individuals. Ideally, I would hope that our governemnt would be able to develop a policy that would easily permit an influx of immigrants to provide needed labor requirements as our economy dictates.
Tito,
It appears to me as though there is only one person who is being an idiot, no doubt about that. What I am wondering, is how do you reconcile a sea of republican outburts that are anti-hispanic against one or a few people who supported McCain. The list of people on the Republican side is overwhelming. Rush, Tancredo, both Buchanan’s, etc etc. Additionally, that is one anonymous poster, I am talking about republican leadership, not some lone nitwit on a youtube comment section.
Rick, you are correct. I had a discussion with Senator Colgan about that flyer. The sad reality was that bob fiztsimmons was SO vile that Colgan felt like he had no choice but to comment against illegal immigration in some way. It was disappointing, but I can think of only one politician in PW that election that did not bend to the bullying tactics, that was Sharon Pandak and I commend her for it!
Tito,
I agree, bigotry knows no boundaries.
I meant supported “Obama” not McCain.
“It appears to me as though there is only one person who is being an idiot.” Elena, you say it right “it appears to you.” I could tell you many stories of Democrats that have used bigotry to me. I’m not going to argue here in this forum with you, Alanna or Moon-howler. I am a Republican and the philosophy of the Republican Party is my philosophy. I like to talk politics person to person.
Tito,
I am not suggesting that bigotry has a hold on only one party. But please, if you could just share how you see the top republican pundits, to name a few, not having a negative influence on the Republican Party, I would be interested to hear that. How do youe explain Senator Martinez’s point? He isn’t saying that ALL republicans feel are alienating the Hispanic voter, what he is saying is that the extreme end of the party is over “talking”/ “yelling” the other Republicans who want to have a rational discussion.
What is the philosophy of the Republican Party?
Elena I know that when I speak my English is not that perfect and sometimes people don’t understand me, but I’m hopping that my writing is a little better. My last sentence was “I like to talk politics person to person.” When ever you want, frente a frente and that is my final answer.
I know you’re not supposed to answer a question with a question, but what is the philosophy of the Democratic Party?
Rick, tell me again what Senator Colgan did? Why can’t he be against illegal immigration? It is possible to want to curb it without being hateful and demeaning.
Hell if I know what their philosphy is. I am not a Democrat. Neither is Elena.
Moon-howler, you said “Locally, in particular, Republicans have used the immigration issue and downright hatred of illegal immigrants to garner political support and votes. ”
You can substitute “Colgan”, or “Democrats”, in for “Republicans” in that statement.
“The sad reality was that bob fiztsimmons was SO vile that Colgan felt like he had no choice but to comment against illegal immigration in some way.”
Because, Elena, most voters were ANGRY, very angry about what was happening. So was Colgan not being real when he sent that oversized, colorful flyer to everyone?
And how was Fitzsimmons vile? He’s an opportunist, not a man I respect, but what did he do or say that qualifies as “vile”?
I wish i had a scan of that flyer. I did save one for my archives. big oversized flyer all about the singular issue of illegal immigration and how Charles Colgan was going to work against it. Sent to every mail box I assume, even to the illegal aliens next door to me. Thanks CC for helping to send them the message that they were not welcome. I’m sure many an illegal family saw that flyer, would that they looked at it closely enough to understand that that was the DEMOCRATIC candidate taking the time to mail a hard-line position out in big bold letters.
I don’t think the Democrats used immigration as an issue in that election. If I substituted Democrats everyone would laugh and ask me to name one.
So Tito, are you comfortable with the Republican philosophy evident on the OTHER blog, i.e. bvbl? Are those your people? Just curious.
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Colgan folded under the pressure. I was disappointed. No one is FOR illegal immigration, but once again, if you don’t stand up against the extreme rhetoric directed at Hispanics then you condone it, to me, it just is that simple. Colgan could have done both, taken a stand against illegal immigration and a broken immigration system AND spoken out against the tide of hate, he chose not to.