Immigration Then, Iraq Now, What’s Next?
Filed under: President 2008, Iraq War, Ron Paul
Could a hot topic catapult a GOP second-tier candidate into the 2008 presidential nomination?
Earlier this year, it looked like illegal immigration could be that topic. It brought headlines to Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo, and headaches for President Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain.
Now Republicans seem united in opposing illegal immigration. In last week's presidential debate, McCain, after making an insensitive reference to "the Guatemalans" on Mitt Romney's lawn, said, "No one, by the way, is for amnesty. I and the president of the United States, both of us from border states, came forward with a plan that we thought was comprehensive and workable with the priority being border security, which remains my position."
What remaining issue could spark an insurgency? Iraq. Anti-war Rep. Ron Paul of Texas articulated his anti-war argument in New Hampshire.
"(We've) lost over 5,000 Americans over there in Afghanistan, in Iraq and plus the civilians killed," he said. "How many more you want to lose? How long are you going to be there?
"How long -- what do we have to pay to save face? That's all we're doing, is saving face. It's time we came home."
Given US commitments to Iraq, a pullout seems unlikely, and Paul will have plenty of chances to reiterate his views.
Much type and hype have been exhausted on the Hamlet of Tennessee, Fred Thompson. Perhaps Republicans, Democrats and Americans in general should instead follow the consistent and relevant candidacy of Ron Paul.
