WalkingThinkTank.com
ideas that go places
THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2007
Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign is running on
fumes, drained by the contentious immigration debate that
put him at odds with the Republican rank-and-file. He’s been
written off by just about every political pundit, and they’re
probably right. But McCain has one last chance to recover, or
at the very least go down fighting, head held high.
Various pundits have offered their takes. McCain needs to
break from Bush. Or attack the media’s nattering nabobs of
negativism. McCain himself has another idea: Patch up the
rift with Republican voters by proposing new immigration
enforcement measures minus the legalization of 12 million
illegal immigrants.
But none of these approaches appears very promising, and
all of their authors – including McCain – have offered them
half-heartedly, though one was quite creative.
So what is McCain’s last chance? Not retreat on immigration.
That’s not the McCain character that has won him
admiration from people across the political spectrum. His
only chance is to push forward on immigration reform, but
not with the same compromise that raised a public outcry
and was soundly defeated in the Senate. McCain’s chance is
to provide the leadership that bridges the great divide and
corrects the dark and divisive course our nation is racing
down.
In my previous post, I explained what I believe is the only
way forward on immigration reform – the only compromise
that faces up to the public crisis of confidence in the
government's handling of illegal immigration as well as the
reality that the 12 million illegal immigrants came here to
provide for their families and seek a better life because our
government maintained the conditions under which they
were welcomed.
Please read the whole thing. But here is the gist: "The only
way forward is to offer illegal immigrants temporary visas
for a long-enough period – say five years – so they would
risk paying a fee and gaining legal status, even though there
would be no guarantee that Congress would extend their
visas. Those who didn't come forward in coming months
would forfeit any hope of ever becoming a legal resident."
Offering temporary – instead of permanent – legal status
would provide everyone with the right incentives to combat
the problem of illegal immigration because the future status
of the millions granted temporary visas may well hinge on
whether the new enforcement efforts are effective. Thus,
everybody's interests will be aligned – both those who want
to stop illegal immigration and those looking out for the
interests of current illegal immigrants. And for the first time,
even immigrant communities will have a great deal at stake
in discouraging illegal immigration.
One side of the debate would treat 12 million illegal
immigrants as criminals and chase them from the country,
while the other would embrace them as permanent
residents. Both sides are promising their supporters the
moon, but are unable to deliver. The only humane way to
restore the rule of law is to agree to treat illegal immigrants
as respected guests. After the Senate handily rejected
permanent legalization, the alternative to this compromise is
bleak: Years of immigration raids and increasing resentment
toward the illegal population as it continues to grow.
So our nation faces a moment of truth: Will we take the only
way forward on immigration reform, or will we let super-
charged passions prevent us from doing the right thing and
living up to America’s highest values?
And John McCain faces his own moment of truth. Will he
retreat? Or will he demonstrate not only political courage,
but the ability to listen, learn and lead the nation forward.
If McCain were to say that the people were right; that the
government hasn't earned the people's trust that it will live
up to its commitment on enforcement; that the public
shouldn't simply have to trust but should be able to verify -
before they support a path to permanent residence - then he
might just change the political dynamics in a meaningful way.
Consider this: When Mitt Romney was asked about the
Senate's immigration reform bill, he said it was OK, except
for one thing - the visas for current illegal immigrants should
be temporary. Can you really imagine Rudy Giuliani
objecting and demanding instead that we chase 12 million
illegal immigrants from the country? I can't. That leaves
Fred Thompson, and I have no idea what he would do. But
by offering a sound compromise that his rivals can’t run
from, McCain might just turn his biggest weakness into a
source of strength.
I’m not a McCain supporter – no candidate in either party
has won me over yet – so I’m only writing this because I
truly believe this is the only responsible way to deal with
illegal immigration. Harsh legislation is advancing in states
and municipalities around the country because of
Washington's failure to come up with a responsible policy.
The government needs better tools to enforce the law and
keep track of those who enter the country, so this stalemate
is a legitimate national security concern.
It is time for action, but our politicians seem unwilling to
make tough decisions. So this is an urgent test for our two
parties. If they can’t offer the leadership the nation needs,
this is a crisis that calls out for an independent who’s willing
to step into the breach. Paging Mike Bloomberg.
what do you think?
fumes, drained by the contentious immigration debate that
put him at odds with the Republican rank-and-file. He’s been
written off by just about every political pundit, and they’re
probably right. But McCain has one last chance to recover, or
at the very least go down fighting, head held high.
Various pundits have offered their takes. McCain needs to
break from Bush. Or attack the media’s nattering nabobs of
negativism. McCain himself has another idea: Patch up the
rift with Republican voters by proposing new immigration
enforcement measures minus the legalization of 12 million
illegal immigrants.
But none of these approaches appears very promising, and
all of their authors – including McCain – have offered them
half-heartedly, though one was quite creative.
So what is McCain’s last chance? Not retreat on immigration.
That’s not the McCain character that has won him
admiration from people across the political spectrum. His
only chance is to push forward on immigration reform, but
not with the same compromise that raised a public outcry
and was soundly defeated in the Senate. McCain’s chance is
to provide the leadership that bridges the great divide and
corrects the dark and divisive course our nation is racing
down.
In my previous post, I explained what I believe is the only
way forward on immigration reform – the only compromise
that faces up to the public crisis of confidence in the
government's handling of illegal immigration as well as the
reality that the 12 million illegal immigrants came here to
provide for their families and seek a better life because our
government maintained the conditions under which they
were welcomed.
Please read the whole thing. But here is the gist: "The only
way forward is to offer illegal immigrants temporary visas
for a long-enough period – say five years – so they would
risk paying a fee and gaining legal status, even though there
would be no guarantee that Congress would extend their
visas. Those who didn't come forward in coming months
would forfeit any hope of ever becoming a legal resident."
Offering temporary – instead of permanent – legal status
would provide everyone with the right incentives to combat
the problem of illegal immigration because the future status
of the millions granted temporary visas may well hinge on
whether the new enforcement efforts are effective. Thus,
everybody's interests will be aligned – both those who want
to stop illegal immigration and those looking out for the
interests of current illegal immigrants. And for the first time,
even immigrant communities will have a great deal at stake
in discouraging illegal immigration.
One side of the debate would treat 12 million illegal
immigrants as criminals and chase them from the country,
while the other would embrace them as permanent
residents. Both sides are promising their supporters the
moon, but are unable to deliver. The only humane way to
restore the rule of law is to agree to treat illegal immigrants
as respected guests. After the Senate handily rejected
permanent legalization, the alternative to this compromise is
bleak: Years of immigration raids and increasing resentment
toward the illegal population as it continues to grow.
So our nation faces a moment of truth: Will we take the only
way forward on immigration reform, or will we let super-
charged passions prevent us from doing the right thing and
living up to America’s highest values?
And John McCain faces his own moment of truth. Will he
retreat? Or will he demonstrate not only political courage,
but the ability to listen, learn and lead the nation forward.
If McCain were to say that the people were right; that the
government hasn't earned the people's trust that it will live
up to its commitment on enforcement; that the public
shouldn't simply have to trust but should be able to verify -
before they support a path to permanent residence - then he
might just change the political dynamics in a meaningful way.
Consider this: When Mitt Romney was asked about the
Senate's immigration reform bill, he said it was OK, except
for one thing - the visas for current illegal immigrants should
be temporary. Can you really imagine Rudy Giuliani
objecting and demanding instead that we chase 12 million
illegal immigrants from the country? I can't. That leaves
Fred Thompson, and I have no idea what he would do. But
by offering a sound compromise that his rivals can’t run
from, McCain might just turn his biggest weakness into a
source of strength.
I’m not a McCain supporter – no candidate in either party
has won me over yet – so I’m only writing this because I
truly believe this is the only responsible way to deal with
illegal immigration. Harsh legislation is advancing in states
and municipalities around the country because of
Washington's failure to come up with a responsible policy.
The government needs better tools to enforce the law and
keep track of those who enter the country, so this stalemate
is a legitimate national security concern.
It is time for action, but our politicians seem unwilling to
make tough decisions. So this is an urgent test for our two
parties. If they can’t offer the leadership the nation needs,
this is a crisis that calls out for an independent who’s willing
to step into the breach. Paging Mike Bloomberg.
what do you think?
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an independent's search
for fairness, responsibility
and common sense