Why making progress on immigration reform remains a steep climb
Every so often, you hear predictions that progress on bipartisan immigration reform is just around the corner. After all, it's an issue on whichmany Republicans are relatively moderate, the Chamber of Commerce types are supportive, and many GOP strategists worry that the party's current stance is a long-term political disaster. But then the base howls.
Over the weekend, Donald Trump tapped into the Tea Party anger on this issue at the New Hampshire Freedom Summit, an event organized by Americans for Prosperity and Citizens United. The Donald, the clownish pretend presidential candidate, derisively brought up the moderate immigration stance of possible presidential candidate Jeb Bush and sneered at Bush's statement thatimmigrants here illegally "broke the law, but its not a felony. Its an act of love."The crowd erupted into boos.
Obviously, that's just one speech and just one crowd. But intensity matters, and immigration reform is an issue on which a very vocal block within the GOP base has been able to cow Republican lawmakers (will poor Marco Rubio ever recover?).
Here are Bush's full remarks, from a little more than a week ago, which will be a landmine in the primaries should he pursue the presidency:
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Why making progress on immigration reform remains a steep climb