In the Bible it exhorts believers to speak truth in love.

Super hotbutton subjects like abortion and immigration are perfect for showcasing Huckabee's unmatched ability to speak the truth (ie abortion is wrong; illegal aliens must leave the country *before* asking for permission to return to work) all the while exhibiting compassion (don't forget the baby after it's born and we must allow immigrants to hold their heads high).

Ignoring these third-rail topics when virtually EVERYONE IN THE USA has passionate opinions on them is now impossible.

I was libertarian in my youth. When I found the Lord, abortion brought me to the GOP. Huck is best on that issue.

By a country mile.

9.11.2001 changed my foreign policy view. Rudy is best on this.

Can Huck learn to deal with islamic extremism? I believe he can.

Can Rudy change the hearts of millions on abortion? No way. He thinks it's a woman's issue to deal with alone.

I respect the fact that Rudy hasn't waffled (much). If that's what he believes, I can respect his right to hold any opinion he chooses.

But since ABORTION is the slaughter of innocent millions (to me and people that think like me), I'm voting for Mike Huckabee.

Wall Street Journal article by Susan Davis on the Univision Republican Debate:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119706286987817510.html?mod=googlenews_wsj


Univision live web coverage of debate at 7pm Eastern 12.9.2007
http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=1276495

DENVER -- Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo is boycotting a Spanish-language debate with his fellow GOP presidential candidates in Miami on Sunday, saying it has no place in presidential race and accusing his rivals of "pandering."

"It is the law that to become a naturalized citizen of this country you must have knowledge and understanding of English, including a basic ability to read, write, and speak the language," Tancredo said in a release Friday. "So what may I ask are our presidential candidates doing participating in a Spanish speaking debate?"

Tancredo has made hard-line immigration issues the hallmark of his long shot presidential campaign in much the same way it has branded his five terms in the House. The Congressman's two campaign ads focused on border security and threats ranging from terrorist to gangs -- using bloody images to underscore the point in both cases. Tancredo said he will not join the other candidates at the Univision Republican debate at the University of Miami to drive home the idea that the nation needs a common language.

"Bilingualism is a great asset for any individual, but it has perilous consequences for a nation," Tancredo said. "As such, a Spanish debate has no place in a presidential campaign."

Pitch-perfect on social and domestic issues.

Clearly understandable and rational, yet reasonable (and I daresay, compassionate) immigration policy positions. Not pandering to the lowest-common-demoninator, xenophobic elements of our country calling to crucify all aliens... The Bible clearly states in the Pentateuch how we are called to treat the alien in our midst, and Huck (and no others that have spoken on this issue, apparently) has obviously taken this into his position.

98% on foreign policy. That's right, PBurro thinks Rudy (and *possibly* Thompson) have a better handle on foreign policy. (But Thompson has no win. He blew his shot. It's finished.)

PolitBurro needs to go to church.

More to follow.

By SUZANNE GAMBOA Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — Some 1,600 state immigration-related bills have been introduced in the absence of federal legislation, leaving businesses confused by conflicting mandates and still without a reliable work force, business leaders complained Friday. The requirements' costs in the 244 enacted laws could force some small businesses to shut down or pass along the costs to consumers, said Jerry Howard, CEO and executive vice president of the National Association of Home Builders.

State officials, business owners and immigration experts discussed how state immigration laws are affecting the economy and businesses at a forum sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Home Builders and the National Roofing Contractors Association.

"We believe the states and localities should resist this short-term deal," said Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

A law in Arizona sanctions employers who hire illegal immigrant workers, but a law in Illinois prohibits employers from using a federal system known as E-Verify to determine whether employees can legally work in the U.S., several in attendance noted. Such conflicts are confounding for multistate companies, they said.

Mark Woodall with the Associated General Contractors in Georgia said local ordinances requiring immediate firing of employees who may be illegal immigrants have employers worried about violating federal laws.

State lawmakers believe they have to do something in the vacuum of federal laws.

"We are not necessarily saying any one state law is better than the next. We are saying there are so many, that are diverse and address so many issues, it's time for the federal government to have immigration reform that the states can then follow," said Michelle Blackston, spokeswoman for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Business leaders also complained of losing workers, increasing wages and being held accountable for hiring of illegal immigrants by subcontractors. Several warned of coming economic repercussions.

Glenn Hamer, president and CEO for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said businesses are feeling threatened as broadly written laws are passed intending to root out employers who hire undocumented workers.

Such laws are spreading "like infectious diseases" state to state and locality to locality and "will do a great amount of destruction to the U.S. economy," Hamer said.

Greg Simmons, president of Simmons Homes, a Tulsa, Okla. homebuilder, said a law that took effect Nov. 1 in his state cost him 20 percent of his work force over two weekends before it went into effect.

Simmons said his state's housing market still is viable, but he's unable to do his usual three- to five-year advance business planning because his future labor pool is so uncertain. Lawmakers who drafted the law failed to consider his need to plan ahead, he said.

Instead the law was based on the cost of unpaid medical bills, crime rates and emotions about "those people," he said. Simmons said he expects Oklahoma will lose workers to states like Kansas and Texas that do not have similar laws.

Dec 8, 12:41 PM (ET)

By JACQUES BILLEAUD

 

PHOENIX (AP) - A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit seeking to block a new Arizona law that prohibits people from hiring illegal immigrants and requires businesses to verify whether applicants are eligible for employment.

The law takes effect Jan. 1.

In his ruling on Friday, U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake wrote that the lawsuit was premature because there was no evidence that anybody had been harmed, and that the plaintiffs - a coalition of business and immigrant rights groups - were suing the wrong people.

The ruling said the law gives only investigatory authority to the governor and state attorney general, who were named as defendants. Wake said county prosecutors, who weren't defendants, actually have the power to enforce the law.

The plaintiffs had asked for a preliminary injunction blocking the law from taking effect.

Julie Pace, an attorney for the business groups, said her clients were meeting Saturday to determine whether to appeal the ruling or file a separate lawsuit against the county prosecutors. She said the business groups could pursue both avenues.

Alfredo Gutierrez, a spokesman for immigrant rights groups, said they plan to refile the lawsuit after Jan. 1, when they might be able to show damages caused by the law.

A spokesman for Gov. Janet Napolitano said the governor's office had not yet read the ruling and had no immediate comment.

Napolitano signed the bill in July, saying that while immigration is a federal responsibility, Congress was apparently "incapable of coping with the comprehensive immigration reforms our country needs."

The law is intended to curb Arizona's role as the busiest illegal gateway into the country. The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that illegal immigrants account for one in 10 workers in the Arizona economy.

Under the law, any business that is found to have knowingly hired an illegal worker is subject to sanctions ranging from probation to a 10-day suspension of its business licenses. A second violation would bring permanent revocation of the license.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit had argued the law was an unconstitutional attempt by the state to regulate immigration, which is the responsibility of the federal government. The judge's ruling did not address that argument.

"He didn't uphold the law," Pace said. "He didn't decide if it was constitutional. We can have that argument another day."

Attorneys for the state say the groups weren't reading the law correctly and that it does not conflict with federal law.

The single issue that has the probability of defining  will define the election is obviously immigration. This blog is primarily geared to shedding light (not heat) on this polarizing issue and providing an opportunity for rational discussion on the subject.

If rational discussion is possible during this election cycle.

Several candidates have flip flopped with fairly disasterous consequences on this issue. Talk radio, Dobbs, Malkin, Geraldo and O'Reilly have really ginned people up on this one. It is going to be a true test of charcter and geniality for all of us that choose to post here, just to try and keep from personal and ad hominem attacks.

I'll do my best.

About the writer of this post:

The Politburro HQ is located on the US/Mexico border, in the lovely and semi-tropical Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It is cloudy and 74 degrees according to weather.com as I post at 7:55am, (which feels like 74 degrees).

I have travelled extensively in Mexico, it's a beautiful country with awesome opportunities that haven't been maximized, yet. Quien sabe when they'll get there act together down there. It's a great place to go if you have money. Not such a great place for those who don't. Which somewhat explains why lots of people want to come here and have been simply sneaking in (debatably with impunity), for decades.

US immigration policy is ridiculous. Virtually everyone thinks so, but exactly how ridiculous and why it stays that way are the real discussion. And of course what we can do about it.
 
This post won't be long, because I am about to jump on the Harley (FXST/C for those interested) and join my buddies for breakfast.

It's gonna be a great ride, please saddle up and come along, and don't forget the rules of the road.