Month: February 2008

MCCAIN IS CLEAR FRONT-RUNNER FOR GOP NOMINATION

Senator John McCain performed well in the Super-Tuesday primaries. Although former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney used the code phrase “no amnesty for illegals” more than any other candidate, by all accounts he had a disappointing day. Even Mike Huckabee, who Romney suggested drop out of the race a few days ago, performed well.

The lessons (that won’t be learned) are: (1) candidates should avoid the immigration topic whenever possible, regardless of their position and, (2) in no event should they make it the center-piece of their campaigns.

I believe it’s just a matter of time before Romney drops out of the race and Huckabee is unlikely to win many more delegates. It will then be a matter of seeing who wins control of Congress and by how much to determine the prospects for Comprehensive Immigration Reform becoming a reality in 2009.

Another observation that isn’t immigration related:  Joe Lieberman, the Independent Connecticut Senator seems to always be standing behind McCain.  Could he be in line for VP?  I’m loving this campaign!

ARE OTHER COUNTRIES TAKING FOREIGN TALENT FROM THE U.S.?

If we don’t welcome immigrants, other countries will.  Alberta, Canada is running a campaign to welcoming US H-1B visa holders.  This while the US is limiting available immigration options for foreign professionals.  Take a look at albertacanada.com.

Congress’ unwillingness or inability to pass any sort of immigration reform will continue to put other countries at a competitive advantage.

VOTE FOR IMMIGRATION SOLUTIONS, NOT RHETORIC

Today is super-Tuesday and twenty-four states will be holding primaries today. It is possible that the Republican and even the Democratic (though less likely) parties will have their Presidential candidates.

For those who support Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR), the best primary vote would be for John McCain. This is because both Democratic candidates strongly support CIR. McCain also supports CIR.

Therefore, for those among us who are voting in support of CIR, a vote for McCain would be the best bet because Mitt Romney says he opposes CIR. Although I am not sure whether Romney would change his mind were he to be the Republican nominee to garner the Hispanic vote.

Tomorrow we will have a better idea of where everything stands and whether the future President would support or oppose CIR. This is a big deal for all immigrants, whether in this country legally or undocumented.

SUPER TUESDAY LOOKS HOPEFUL

Yesterday’s Super Bowl loss for the Patriots to the Giants was a major upset.  However, I can live with it so long as the GOP results after tomorrow’s Super Tuesday are not a major upset and leave John McCain as the clear Republican nominee.  As anti-immigrants as conservative talk-show hosts around the country are making clear, they fear McCain as the nominee mainly because he favors Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR).

The country needs CIR to fix our broken immigration system and it seems that, at least so far, most rank and file Republican primary voters are voting with their heads.  On the other hand, Mitt Romney is pandering to the far right on immigration and is saying everything they want to hear.  The problem with Romney is that many (including yours truly) question his sincerity when he states his positions.  I follow the immigration debate closely and other than criticizing the proposed failed Senate CIR bill, I have not heard of a comprehensive plan offered by Romney to address the issue.  I believe that most voters appreciate solutions over rhetoric and spin.

As I have written in the past, if McCain wins the GOP nomination – whoever becomes President will support CIR.  Both Senators Obama and Clinton support immigration reform.  Even New York Mayor Bloomberg who some speculate could enter the race as an independent, unequivocally supports CIR.