Unhappy Base

Yesterday, I wondered who could possibly be made happy by Bush’s immigration speech and said there was no way he could go far enough to appease his wingnut base. Well, it looks like I was right. Here are the current results of the WingNutDaily poll which asks: What do you think of President Bush's speech on illegal immigration?


Somebody call the waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaambulance! (Via Pam.)

Other unhappy conservatives:

Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama: “A few steps, including calling out the National Guard, significant though they may be, will not change the pervasive illegality of our current immigration system to one that works,” said Sessions, a critic of the Senate immigration bill. “And the American people know it.”

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa: "I don't think it moves [the debate] very much," said Rep. Steve King, Iowa Republican and a proponent of the enforcement approach. "It demonstrated a willingness to discuss enforcement, but the commitment hasn't been there for 5 years." Mr. King said a wall along the Mexico border would be far cheaper and more effective than the increases in personnel, but he said Mr. Bush does deserve credit for urging immigrants to assimilate, learn English and respect the American flag.

Rep. Walter Jones, R-NC: Bush, by proposing a National Guard deployment, is “just trying to get a bill passed and appease the conservatives somewhat.” Bush's bid for support won't work, Jones said.

Rush Limbaugh: Limbaugh dismissed Bush's plan to dispatch National Guard troops to the border with Mexico as mere "window dressing" that would have little effect on stemming illegal immigration. "They'll be down there for a few weeks. They'll go home," Limbaugh said, according to a transcript posted on his website. "The border will be open as usual."

Richard A. Viguerie, conservative activist: "When President Bush says to his supporters, 'Trust me on immigration,' he has exhausted his reservoir of good faith with conservatives," Viguerie said. "Americans, especially conservatives, are beginning to tune the president out."

Viguerie again: ''It's amazing how tone-deaf this man is. This is the No. 1 issue that will lead to the takeover of Congress by Democrats… The White House doesn't seem to have receivers. They only have transmitters.''

Xenophobe, Warrior Princess: The only good thing about watching the speech was getting to watch it in the Fox News green room with Colorado GOP Rep. Tom Tancredo, a stalwart immigration enforcement advocate. It was nice to have someone to shake heads along with as empty platitude after platitude was laid on thick… Too little too late.