“Excellent advice” for Republicans
posted at 6:29 pm on August 21, 2007 by Bryan
That’s how Hugh Hewitt characterizes the latest pro-amnesty column from consummate Beltway Boy Fred Barnes.
Before I get to the actual advice, it’s worth noting that Hewitt was for amnesty before he was against it. Perhaps he’s edging toward being for it again?
To the advice, from Fred Beetle Barnes.
It’s not particularly visible at the moment, but there is a road to political recovery for Republicans. Chances are they won’t get far enough down it to recapture the House or Senate or even hold the White House in 2008. But they might.
Three things have to happen for Republicans to recover–in effect, a political hat trick. Events must work in their favor, notably in Iraq. Democrats must screw up badly. And Republicans must change their ways, in a compelling fashion. This last requirement may be the toughest.
We must change our ways, by which he means our rhetoric and our basic support for law and order.
The recipe for Republicans is to stop acting like, well, Republicans–that is, Republicans of recent vintage. In Congress, they’ve been soft on earmarks, the source of so much corruption. They practically invited Democrats to trump them on ethics and lobbying reform. And they’ve allowed their obsession with illegal immigrants to get out of hand. This drives away Hispanic voters and leaves the impression that Republicans are small-minded, ungenerous and nasty. The worst offenders are the presidential candidates, who would be wise to tone down their rhetoric on immigration.
Credit where it’s due first: He’s right on earmarks. But he’s wrong on illegal immigration (and his “obesssion” formulation is part of a pattern). The small-minded, ungenerous and nasty Republicans are those who call their fellow Republicans “nativists,” accuse us of wanting to execute illegal aliens or say that we don’t want what’s best for America for wanting to secure the border. The small-minded, ungenerous and nasty Republicans are those who can’t be bothered to care about the Mexican drug war that’s spilling over into border towns like Laredo, TX and across the property of American citizens whose government won’t defend them. The small-minded, ungenerous and nasty Republicans are those who evidently care more about keeping the price of lettuce down than about keeping terrorists, drug traffickers and other criminals out of the country.
If there’s rhetoric to be toned down, and there is, it’s on the part of Beltway denizens like Fred Barnes who can’t see past their own opinions to the anarchic reality that they create and foster.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Republicans simply need to master the skill that Democrats have of holding multiple contradictory positions simultaneously.
pedestrian on August 21, 2007 at 6:37 PM
Fred Barnes makes me ill. As does Graham’s “bigot” talk. Mush-headed “thinking” does not substitute for facts. I hope Republican candidates review the Zogby poll from last year on this subject.
The Zogby poll was one of few polls that offered THREE options – strict enforcement (House bill), amnesty (Senate bill), and deportation.
http://www.jmi.com/immigrationmarches/zogby5.html
fred5678 on August 21, 2007 at 6:42 PM
There must be something in the water for those in the belt-way. People in Washington are crazy if they think “WE” need to tone down our rhetoric. “THEY” need to listen to the Heartbeat of America, and I’m not talking Chevrolet.
Troy Rasmussen on August 21, 2007 at 6:42 PM
_ _ _ _ You Barnes, You insulting, arrogant piece of crap. Why don’t you climb down off your Shetland Pony and work for a living like the rest of us small-minded, ungenerous and nasty average Americans. Jerk.
Next to do … fire off a email Barnes and thank him for solidifying my stance against shamnesty even more.
darwin on August 21, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Its all about framing the debate. Again I mentioned it elsewhere the Dems play the fear card and place the racist plakard on republicans backs everytime we challenge one of their hot button issues.
As long as we keep allowing morons like Geraldo to frame the debate in tones like “If you against illegal immigrants you must be a racist”
The best defense against hyperbole and outright demogogery is to confront it and state clearly what your goals are. It should be the baiter who needs to worry about the message not the one who confronts them
William Amos on August 21, 2007 at 6:49 PM
So he’s not a conservative. Big deal. We battle millions every day. What’s one more?
JiangxiDad on August 21, 2007 at 6:50 PM
Maybe we can hire some illegal immigrants to start writing political columns so he won’t have to.
Kahuna on August 21, 2007 at 6:50 PM
I’ll give my excellent advice to Republicans right here. And for free. It’s actually pretty simple….
The only way Republicans are going to win is by promising to close the border to illegals, deport criminal aliens, and sort out our visa tracking system. Period. Full stop.
Being tough on immigration is THE winning political issue this political cycle that conservatives are naturally inclined to support and it cuts wildly across party lines.
mjgreco on August 21, 2007 at 6:50 PM
Freddy B is a monument to all that’s wrong with the GOP. Just another rich daddy’s boy…..oh, that was Kerry/Gore. Come to think of it, that’s the entire bunch in DC.
mustang1 on August 21, 2007 at 6:52 PM
You’re spot on, Bryan. Fred’s gotta get outta the beltway once in a while. I suspect that the Republican candidate who speaks forcefully about the need for secure borders, serious consequences for employers of illegals, and after those a revamping of our immigration system to ensure we do have enough legal workers to satisfy America’s business, will get a huge hunk of the votes on the right, a majority of the independent vote, and even some democrats who DO understand these critical needs.
Unless it’s Ron Paul.
PatrickS on August 21, 2007 at 6:53 PM
And again this is why I sit out campaigns other than to vote. The “brains” in DC want me to march to their orders and do all the dirty heavy lifting and when its all said and done I get a nice pat on the head and called a “good boy”
This is why I dropped out of poltics years ago. Im so sick of the insider crowd in Washington so set in their ways ignoring the base and pretending they have all the answers.
I have gotten requests from every presidentual candidate for money or for freebees for them. NOT ONE has ever showed any interest in asking me to join them to make a better US its always been “Help elect ME’
When politicans learn to put this country before themselves maybe we wont be as cynical
William Amos on August 21, 2007 at 6:53 PM
Agreed. But that will only be because we get undecideds and working class dems. There are clearly many Republicans who don’t want what you say. George Bush come to mind?
JiangxiDad on August 21, 2007 at 6:55 PM
My opinion but Barnes is one of those republicans that most would agree with 90% of the time. Disagree on one issue and he is now persona non grata? There were some excesses in how the immigration bill was debated – from all sides. If the labels don’t fit what one said in articulating their position, there is no need to take offense.
If however, calling for shooting unarmed humans and other similar sentiments, was what one said, the label fits and they should not be surprised they were called on it.
The question is what are the Republican goals for 08? Singular issues and banishment for disagreement are not likely to result in positive results.
Bradky on August 21, 2007 at 6:55 PM
Guys like Barnes are like movie critics. They judge a product from the perspective of their nuanced world view that is meant to be consumed by the world view of regular folks.
csdeven on August 21, 2007 at 6:55 PM
actualy what the Reps need is a Manifesto… ie… Like Newt’s Contract with America…
10 or 12 simple policys that they can run on…
1. Earmark reform… NO MORE EARMARKS PERIOD.
2. Energy policy. Ethanol makes no sense if you actualy research it… we need to Drill here where we will do it CLEANER than anywhere else in the world.
3. Border Security: Troops on the border. Just like the surge… we need to deploy.
4. Illegal Immigrants: Make it FEDERAL law that ANYONE caught for a crime will have their citizenship checked.
5. Sanctuary Citys: No Federal Funds if they continue.
6. Write law exempting that Nuclear waste site in Nevada so it specificly does NOT have to follow Environmental law… ITS A DUMP FOLKS…
7. Federal Law that any tax dollars spent must go to an AMERICAN company…
8. Increase the size of the Army… we need more troops for the WAR we are in.
9. Repeal McCain Feingold… its dumb law…
10. Federal funding and help to build Nuclear power plants for Electricity (cleanest energy we have right now).
11. Cut off all farming subsidies… they are unneeded.
I could go on… but make them simple… and clean statements of what you’ll do if elected.
Romeo13 on August 21, 2007 at 6:56 PM
anyone else ever wonder why/how Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke get to stay on the “all star panel” on Special Report? and have a show together? They both stutter constantly and can not spit out their thoughts to save their lifes, and in Mort’s case says ‘um’ over and over.
jp on August 21, 2007 at 6:56 PM
should have added…
The big news from the immigration debate is that while Conservatives are Republicans, Republicans are infrequently Conservative.
JiangxiDad on August 21, 2007 at 6:57 PM
Bravo. I’ll vote 4 u.
JiangxiDad on August 21, 2007 at 6:58 PM
Both use to be regulars in the 1990s on the McGlocklin Group.
But media is as entrenched as Massachusetts democrats are.
William Amos on August 21, 2007 at 6:59 PM
Because their butts have made a groove in the chairs.
JiangxiDad on August 21, 2007 at 7:01 PM
Agree but citizens have been against the pork for 40 years with no results.
Agree
The military is tapped empty. Do you think we will get the volunteers without a draft?
Add a national ID card to that and I agree.
It is doable, but not likely in a democratic administration.
Not enough knowledge about that to opine
Disagree. Why should we be giving tax dollars to any company.
See #3
agree
agree
Agree but you ostracize many of the republican strong states in the process. good idea but not likely to happen.
Bradky on August 21, 2007 at 7:05 PM
Fred Beetle Barnes – “And they’ve allowed their obsession with illegal immigrants to get out of hand.
That small-minded, ungenerous and nasty quisling can go frack himself.
MB4 on August 21, 2007 at 7:05 PM
I don’t have the political acumen of a Fred Barnes (or Hugh Hewitt), but how is it smart politics to set yourself against 3/4 of the American people?
Is the punditry class really this clueless?
billy on August 21, 2007 at 7:09 PM
Mr. Barnes,
I salute you with one finger. Guess which one.
I am fiscally conservative, but not fiscally slavish. This ability to only see things from a corporate perspective really grates my cheese.
UGH!
Nice.
The Race Card on August 21, 2007 at 7:10 PM
The Butt-way Boys at it again. Doesn’t surpise me. Said it once and I’ll say it again these Buttboys are nothing more than TRAITORS, and they will sell us and our country right out the window, before they lose a dime in their stock’s.
Legions on August 21, 2007 at 7:10 PM
Good heavens! I thought the appeal of Fox was its willingness to show more than one side of an issue.
Bradky on August 21, 2007 at 7:11 PM
Guys like Barnes are like movie critics. They judge a product from the perspective of their nuanced world view that is meant to be consumed by the world view of regular folks.
csdeven on August 21, 2007 at 6:55 PM
Every person [Barnes more than most] takes the limits of their own field of vision for the limits of the world.
- Schopenhauer
MB4 on August 21, 2007 at 7:12 PM
Fred Beetle Barnes, proving the wisdom of the masters:
Journalists are like dogs, when ever anything moves they begin to bark.
- Schopenhauer
The difference between Stupidity and Genius is that Genius has its limits.
- Murphy
MB4 on August 21, 2007 at 7:19 PM
Me Im just happy I made Michelle’s front page. I have to bug her often enough heh
Still cant figure out why I cant comment on her threads though. Is different system than Hotair I suspect.
William Amos on August 21, 2007 at 7:33 PM
Let us not, as Republicans, lose sight of the objective. That being winning the next election. If we let issues divide us, no matter what position held by a Republican I disagree with is as bad as that of the Democratic opposition. No matter of the candidates wins the primary, outside of Ron Paul, they are much preferred to the potential disaster that would be another Clinton administration.
Zelsdorf Ragshaft on August 21, 2007 at 7:34 PM
Romeo, I like the way you think! Obviously nobody wants this current Congress. If we had the Conservative leadership for another Contract it would be easy pickin’s.
Dork B. on August 21, 2007 at 7:34 PM
In 1994 The republican revoltuion came from the bottom up. After 2 years of Clinton the right rose up to take on the dems and won.
What we see now is the republicans are playing like the democrats and trying to decree from on high. And that is why they are losing
William Amos on August 21, 2007 at 7:37 PM
Three years ago (and probably earlier, but that’s when I moved to L.A. and first heard their show) radio hosts, John and Ken, on KFI640 were pounding the illegal immigrant issue. They were talking about it when no one else was.
Hugh Hewitt (holding the same time slot on a competing station) dismissed their concerns, constantly calling John and Ken “racists”. Funny, he sounded then like the pro-amnesty gang sounds now.
MikeZero on August 21, 2007 at 7:47 PM
I’m not ready to throw Barnes completely under the bus yet, I strongly disagree on his immigration ideas, but I wouldn’t call him a traitor just yet. Mort is just plain annoyingly naive.
Call me a redneck but, I can’t help but think if Republicans would simply pull their collective heads out of their asses and run on TERM LIMITS (and mean it this time) and NO MORE EARMARKS (and mean it this time) and a realistic immigration policy (you know, walls, troops, no sanctuary cities allowed) they would capture the majority of the electorate.
The immigration problem ain’t rocket science. You need borders enforced with walls and people, and any cop with a uniform or a badge has GOT to have the ability (in ANY CITY) to communicate with the INS. If we would simply enforce the laws we ALREADY HAVE, you would cure the “problem” in about 5 years by attrition.
commonsensehoosier on August 21, 2007 at 7:48 PM
The only thing Republicans need to do to win is have Hitlery run against them. Run Hitlery, run!
Mojave Mark on August 21, 2007 at 8:01 PM
“…And they’ve allowed their obsession with illegal immigrants to get out of hand…”
Eff you, Barnes. Come drive around south Phoenix for a half hour and witness the species we’re so obsessed about. For anyone who hasn’t seen it with their own eyes, it’s unbelievable. What a prissy, little jerk…
JWS on August 21, 2007 at 8:03 PM
“Excellent advice”
And Raymond(Rain Man) Babbitt was an “Excellent driver”.
But neither Fred or Raymond are wearing any underwear…. They definitely are not wearing any underwear.
Uh Oh, Three minutes to Wapner
LegendHasIt on August 21, 2007 at 8:21 PM
Barnes would do very well to remember that over 70% of all Americans are against amnesty and nearly that number want the borders secured against further illegal immigration. The way to win in 2008 is to give the American people what they want. All in all just reverse course from what the Democrats and George Bush is all about.
Buzzy on August 21, 2007 at 8:21 PM
Hugh Hewitt made some remark one day a couple of years back about the “clowns down the dial.” That’s not a direct quote, but it’s pretty close to what he said about John and Ken.
KFI hosts were harbingers of this now hot potato issue. Other than murderers, Gary Condit and
The Race Card on August 21, 2007 at 8:39 PM
OJ, illegal immigration has been the bread and butter.
The Race Card on August 21, 2007 at 8:39 PM
Gary ConditAlso, I meant murderers other than OJ.
The Race Card on August 21, 2007 at 8:42 PM
Would it be “small-minded” of me to just want the borders secured to prevent terrorists from infiltrating the country?
All others prevented from sneaking in would just be the sad consequences of terrorism’s threat, and not our problem.
All of the incovenienced “newcomers” could bitch to Bin Laden.
profitsbeard on August 21, 2007 at 8:43 PM
Your take-down of Fred Barnes is a thing of beauty. I read it twice, because it was such a kick-ass ass-kicking.
People like Barnes need to understand that if you want to be the American president, you’ve got to be concerned about America.
Rational Thought on August 21, 2007 at 8:54 PM
Where’s the love, where’s the Patriotism?
There’s no confusion as to which way the Conservative road map points to, it’s just that Barnes isn’t able to let go of the proven loser neocon meme.
We now know that half a Conservative is no Conservative at all.
A Republican that tries to please the unpleasable is wasting our time, wasting our money and wasting our country.
Speakup on August 21, 2007 at 8:56 PM
Bryan,
Heather Macdonald (I think) had an oiustanding response to this and to Geraldo today on Laura Ingraham’s show. My be worth adding as an update if you can get it.
TheBigOldDog on August 21, 2007 at 9:14 PM
Hey, Mark. The Hitlery stupidity is getting old.
Jaibones on August 21, 2007 at 9:22 PM
I like Barnes, and I find myself in agreement with Bradky on this. I am certain that there were excesses in the battle against Shamnesty, but as I said then and believe now, if the Federal government had ever given us a reason to believe them, it would have gone through.
Secure the border, and then we can talk about the illegals.
But, please, for the love of Pete, quit calling it “immigration” reform. Sneaking into another country and stealing someone’s identity is not “immigrating”. It’s just stealing.
Jaibones on August 21, 2007 at 9:44 PM
Well done again Bryan.
Griz on August 21, 2007 at 9:49 PM
Maybe Fred Barnes could get out of the office once in a while and witness the problems facing law-abiding American citizens in Lakewood, NJ. Police Chief Lawson recommended against holding a rally against illegal immigration because of credible threats from MS-13, etc.
In a town of 70,000, there are an estimated 5,000 to 20,000 illegal aliens.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070816/NEWS/708160377
“I’m relieved,” Lawson said. “Lakewood has a large number of undocumented residents . . . and now you’re going to have a group in the center of town speaking out against illegal aliens. So it’s possible there’d be friction between the two factions that could lead to confrontation.”
So instead of protecting voting American citizens exercising free speech, the town submits to illegal criminal gangs. Wonderful.
Fred – GET OUT OF THE OFFICE! This is THE defining issue!!
(fred5678 is NO relation!)
fred5678 on August 21, 2007 at 9:50 PM
He’s completely out of touch. What happened to the amnesty bill should have been a major wake up call to him and people like him. It should have made him curious and spurred a road trip to see first hand why people were so fired up. Instead, he simply continues on. Fred is that party’s past, not its future and this proves it.
TheBigOldDog on August 21, 2007 at 10:12 PM
I found Hugh’s comments to be.. predictable. He maintained that the anti-illegal stance cost a few GOPers their congressional seats, when anyone who wasn’t a died in the wool party shill would have mentioned that the Democrats in question were to the right of the defeated Republicans. But since the great unwashed masses appeared to be serious in their desire to stay home in ’08 if the piece of poop amnesty bill got passed, he decided to play the other side. After all, winning is the most important thing; principles be damned. McQ had him pegged perfectly: “The distilled essence of the party man.”
At least I can believe what he’s writing these days, since I knew that he was an open borders guy, regardless of what he wrote the last few months. I think he’s full of crap in this matter, but at least he’s being honest now.
Physics Geek on August 21, 2007 at 11:55 PM
that’s not a skill, it’s a resource called the leftist press–which has their back on such matters
urbancenturion on August 22, 2007 at 1:40 AM
Bravo for another excellent piece Bryan! Is it possible that it’s time for a third party? Dead on arrival, I would guess. Maybe Fred can bring the party back ala Newt in ’94.
countywolf on August 22, 2007 at 1:41 AM
This is great news! Let’s change our basic belief system to gain power! Up high! Who’s with me? Anyone? Hey, don’t leave me hanging, ya jerks.
Kevin M on August 22, 2007 at 4:11 AM
Well said.
I couldn’t agree more. We need to maintain our civility towards each other, and regardless of who is our nominee (R.P. has not a chance), support him and remember to vote for him in the only poll that counts.
Texas Nick 77 on August 22, 2007 at 5:44 AM
A pity a lot of the people we elect to represent our (collective as a country’s)best interests forget their duty when they get to Washington. It should be evident to all that the rights of the citizens should trump any claim to rights of people in the country illegally. Do we reward burglers with the contents of the home they entered illegally? Do we give the cars keys to the thieves that steal them?
To quote the robot on “Lost in Space,” it does not compute.
Texas Nick 77 on August 22, 2007 at 6:01 AM
“To quote the robot on “Lost in Space,” it does not compute.”
Texas Nick 77 on August 22, 2007 at 6:01 AM
I would however have chosen “Danger Will Robinson” but otherwise you got it exactly right.
Buzzy on August 22, 2007 at 7:45 AM
Nope, nobody obsessed with immigration, or small-minded and nasty here.
No siree.
LagunaDave on August 22, 2007 at 9:11 AM
Secure The Borders!
We were
carefreecareless before 9-11, but after? What’s the excuse for that?NellE on August 22, 2007 at 12:40 PM