John McCain on Border Security
It is one of the largest minefields between John McCain and an energised GOP base. When McCain and President Bush were pushing the comprehensive immigration reform back in 2007, I think that I was nearly alone in my support for the bill - and even little, old me caught it hot and heavy from fellow conservatives who insisted that securing the border take top priority over reform of immigraiton and the implementation of any sort of guest-worker program. As was once said, a generally held opinion - whether well- or ill-founded, cannot be lightly set aside. Regardless of how I view the merits of the “secure first” position, the plain fact of the matter is that the position will not be overcome - certainly not by a GOPer who hopes to gain/retain office. John McCain, I believe, has also learned this valuable lesson:
As president, I will secure the border. I will restore the trust Americans should have in the basic competency of their government. A secure border is an essential element of our national security. Tight border security includes not just the entry and exit of people, but also the effective screening of cargo at our ports and other points of entry.
Badly burned in 2007 - to the point where it nearly destroyed his Presidential campaign before it even got off the ground - I believe we can take this McCain promise to the bank: a President McCain will secure the border prior to any attempt at other parts of immigration reform. But McCain - wisely, in my view - doesn’t just leave it there:
Recognize the importance of assimilation of our immigrant population, which includes learning English, American history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic society.
In my view, what really disturbs the majority of Americans about immigration is not the immigrants, themselves, but the growing perception that we are importing a body of alien people who either will not or cannot assimilate into the broader American society. When those pro-immigration demonstrators were seen on national TV carrying Mexican flags rather than American flags, I think that is what really did it - the expection is that if you come here, you’ll do your best to become an American; that you’ll speak English, know about our country and respect our flag. Nothing wrong with the Mexican flag - fly it with pride, if you have Mexican blood…but make certain Old Glory holds the place of honor next to it. Senator McCain seems to understand this sentiment in the broad majority of the American population, and we can - I believe - count on him to advance programs which will turn immigrants into Americans.
13 comments February 24th, 2008
