Campaign 2006

The campaign season is officially in full swing. Not surprisingly the Democrats have chosen to make the Iraqi war the issue. Having nothing to offer other than the tried and true formula for success of the Kerry-Edwards ticket they are plowing ahead with "we could have done better." The nit wits in the press are already proclaiming victory.

... House and Senate Democrats yesterday endorsed a national security report penned by the Third Way National Security Project, a group founded by Democrats who support gun control. The report, which Mr. Reid called a "stunning indictment," concluded that the Bush administration's foreign policy has failed in Iraq, the war on terror, Afghanistan and other countries. The number of terrorist attacks and terrorist recruits is up worldwide, many enemy countries are now stronger and have better weapons, and America's influence with allies has weakened, according to the report.

While the report offered no specific suggestions for fighting the war on terror, the Democratic leader said it "makes a clear case for the new direction we need." At a press conference yesterday, Democrats said the administration should use more diplomacy and fully implement the recommendations by the September 11 commission.

The only people impressed by this are the Democrats and the press. Meanwhile the American people are focused on different issues. The voters in Arizona are overwhelmingly looking for a solution to the illegal immigrant problem. Any politician who can champion real border security will enjoy wide support at the polls. Although they are living on the border and see the problem first hand they are not an isolated group. A national poll commissioned by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research "found 71 percent of people believe illegal immigration poses a threat to the country, and 31 percent of those people think the biggest threat from illegal immigrants is terrorism. More than half -- 56 percent -- said they are more aware of people from foreign countries."

Newt Gingrich has written a piece outlining 11 issues that if championed by politicians in the upcoming election would ensure victory at the polls. Of the first four on his list three are dealing directly with the illegal immigration issue.

#1 Make English the Official Language of Government. The House should pass a bill making English the official language of government, abolishing multilingual ballots and reaffirming that new citizens should be required to pass a test on American history in English. The Rasmussen poll reported that support for English as the official language was 85%. The Zogby poll had it at 84%. Why do Republican leaders find it so hard to side with more than four out of every five Americans? How many liberal Democrats who currently assume they are unbeatable would suddenly have a hard time explaining a series of votes against English to their constituents? Remember, at 85%, there are no anti-English congressional districts no matter what the elite media says.

#2 Control the Borders. The House should pass a narrowly focused bill to ensure that the United States can control the border. The current Senate bill is a disaster. It is impossible to pass a "comprehensive" immigration bill in the next two months. The American people overwhelmingly want the borders controlled and every act of terrorism reminds us that having the borders uncontrolled makes us more vulnerable to attack. The House should immediately pass a border-control bill and conservative Republican senators should move every day to bring it up in the Senate. Let Democrats and elitist Republicans block controlling the border and make that a referendum test for Election Day...

#4 Require a Voter ID Card. The American people overwhelmingly support (85% in one poll) having a voter id card so we can be sure only legal citizens are voting. Passing a bill to require this in all federal elections would be a big step toward more honest elections.

Some Republicans are hearing the call but one should never underestimate the ability if the Republican Party to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The next week or so should give a clue as to whether or not they can grasp this issue and let the Democrats do what they do best which is spew nonsense.

War on Terror, politics, immigration