The GOP's Poisonous Choices on Immigration

Given the extreme animosity that the Christofascists/Tea Party base of the Republican Party holds for anyone not born with lily white skin (as well as those not born into Christian homes and heterosexual), Republicans face a difficult choice as to how to respond if President Obama signs an executive order on immigration.  Especially those Republicans planning to seek the 2016 presidential nomination which requires that they prostitute themselves to the racists and knuckle draggers of the Christofascists/Tea Party base in a way that would make a tawdry whore blush.  The result?  There may be no long term positive manner in how to respond.  Meanwhile, the issue will further rile the waring factions in the GOP.  A piece in the Washington Post looks at the GOP dilemma.  Here are excerpts:

Congressional Republicans have split into competing factions over how to respond to President Obama’s expected moves to overhaul the nation’s immigration system, which are likely to include protecting millions from being deported.

The first, favored by the GOP leadership, would have Republicans denounce what House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) has called “executive amnesty” and use the party’s new grip on Congress to contest changes to the law incrementally in the months ahead.

The second, which has become the rallying cry for conservatives, would seek to block the president’s decision by shutting down the government for an extended period until he relents.

“It’s a big test for the leadership. We cannot listen to the loudest, shrillest voices in our party,” said Rep. Charlie Dent, a moderate Republican who represents the Philadelphia suburbs. “At some point we have to fund the government, and we should not fight to attach some demand. I don’t want to stand by and watch as our party gets driven into a ditch.” 

Among the options under [Obama's] consideration are proposals that could potentially shield as many as 6 million undocumented immigrants from deportation, according to several people familiar with Obama’s plans.

In a nod to the business community that Republicans would be hard pressed to oppose, Obama is likely to expand visa programs for immigrants working for high-tech firms. Doing so would fulfill the wishes of Silicon Valley executives, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and many GOP lawmakers who have sought to make it easier for high-tech firms to recruit skilled workers from overseas.

Democrats reminded reporters Thursday that several of Obama’s predecessors have acted without congressional support.

“Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and there was much to be said about it at the time. But he led with executive action,” said Rep. Al Green (D-Tex.), adding later: “When Truman signed the order desegregating the military, there was much being said. But it desegregated the military.”

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), an advocate for an overhaul of immigration law, has been counseling House Republicans this week about the need to show empathy for undocumented workers as the party rails against the Obama administration, according to GOP aides familiar with his deliberations. He is concerned that too much vitriol could send the wrong message to Hispanic voters.

A group of centrist Republicans told Boehner and his leadership team at a conference meeting Thursday that they must avoid another fiscal impasse and that this is the moment to take on the more extreme elements in their party. They argued that unless Boehner confronts Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and other conservatives pushing for a hard-line response, he risks seeing his conference unravel, much as it did last year during the 16-day shutdown that was cheered by the tea party.

McConnell, who will lead the Senate starting next year, has made clear that he is not willing to hold up government funding to settle scores with the president on immigration. “We’ll not be shutting the government down or threatening to default on the national debt,” McConnell twice told reporters Thursday.

Expect a blood bath within the GOP.  I agree, however, that it is time for what few sane Republicans still exist to take a stand.  the Christofascist/Tea Party ranks must be defeated.  Better yet, they need to be kicked out of the GOP entirely.  Meanwhile, I hope Hispanic Americans watch the GOP closely so that they will see just how much the today's GOP is the party of hate and racists.