Politics Blog

Well, it’s almost Friday!!!

— Oak Leaf

From Lou Dobbs Tonight

“DOBBS: Very quickly, if you can give me just a one word answer, Richard,do we get immigration legislation, do we get an immigration law this year?

BROOKHISER: I hope not. It would be bettor have nothing.

DOBBS: Robert?

ZIMMERMAN: No.

SHEINKOPF: No.

DOBBS: From your lips to God’s ears, as the saying goes, if this is to be the construction of it. Hank, Robert, Richard, thank you very much”

— Oak Leaf

Liberal columnist David Broder has some insight on the “immigration” bill passing this year.

“But with Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and the principal author of the House bill, likely to lead the House negotiators, it’s doubtful Davis will get his wish. And it’s doubtful that Bush will get his bill.”

— Oak Leaf

Is liberal democrat Ed Koch

xenophobic?

“The 11 million illegals should not and will not be put on buses and sent home.

So what should happen?

Every single U.S. employer that is knowingly, or without doing due diligence, hiring illegals should be sent to prison for at least six months.

If no jobs are available, the illegals will leave and go home on their own.”

— Oak Leaf

Remember last week when the headlines read, “Prices rise as holiday looms?”

All I know is that I was paying .25 less per gallon this weekend.

A few weeks ago, there was a bipartisan proposal by “junior” members of the Senate to provide direct relief at the gas pump. We know where that proposal went.

“Democrats pressed their own ideas, including a proposal by Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, for a 60-day suspension on the 18.4-cent-per-gallon federal tax on gasoline and 24-cent diesel tax.

“It is direct relief at the pump,” Mr. Menendez said.

Some Republicans, including Mr. Thune, have also endorsed a suspension of those taxes.”

Why would a bipartisan coalition of “senior” Senators smack down such a proposal?

Why would some of these Senators propose a more complicated $100.00 rebate?

Do you think that the members of that exclusive club called the U.S. Senate do not want us common folk to see the “real” price of gasoline?

Just wondering.

— Oak Leaf

Congressman Ric Keller who serves Central Florida, deserves our full support;

“Rep. Ric Keller, who analysts said could lose his Orlando district if there is a powerful anti-Republican wave in November, said that “there has never been more intensity on any issue in the last six years than illegal immigration.” In town hall meetings, he said, about 90 percent of voters are opposed to a guest-worker program and in favor of the House approach. The House bill focuses solely on border security and law enforcement – and makes it a felony for people to assist illegal immigrants.

Keller said Bush’s proposal to send National Guard troops to the Mexican border did little to quiet criticism that the White House has failed to sufficiently crack down on illegal immigration. “There is not a lot of credibility right now with the administration on securing the border and enforcing the law,” he said.”

Keller For Congress

— Oak Leaf

Most Floridians do not realize that Katherine Harris will have to defeat three other Republicans in the Senate Primary.

One interesting challenger is William McBride;

“McBride, 33, grew up in Florida as the son of migrant workers and built himself into a successful businessman able to put millions of his own money into the race, said Lew Oliver, chairman of the Orange County Republican Party.

“He has a lot of potential,” Oliver said. “He has the assets to run a respectable and credible campaign.”

If that personal money isn’t enough, McBride has access to millions more through his wealthy in-laws. McBride is the son-in-law of Stuart Epperson, co-founder and chairman of Salem Communications, the nation’s largest Christian radio broadcasting network.

Salem Communications owns more than 100 mostly AM radio stations across the country, including a dozen in Florida, broadcasting to an estimated 5 million listeners a week. The company also owns Christian-oriented magazines and Web sites.”

— Oak Leaf

On April 29, 2006, Alexander K. McClure described Katherine Harris’s race for the Senate as ultimately falling “somewhere between rout and debacle.”

If you are wondering why this might be the case, having only heard her with Sean Hannity, you can listen to her remarks to Bud Hedinger (AM 540 WFLA) last Thursday. Keep in mind that this was an opportunity for her to reach a friendly audience in Central Florida on a widely listened to talk radio show. Bud did his absolute best to allow her to position herself on the immigration issue in order to make the race competative.

Harris Talks about her acommplishments

Harris on immigration reforms

Harris on possible illegal campaign contributions

Harris takes listener calls on immigration

— Oak Leaf

I really like Tony Snow. I enjoyed reading his work when he worked for The Detroit News. I stopped watching the Sunday Talk Shows when Tony started his own radio show. I subscribed to XM Radio so I could listen to his radio show.

There must be something in the water when Tony Snow makes comments like this.

“The White House on Friday said a Senate bill that would grant legal status to illegal immigrants is analogous to a traffic law that allows a speeder to pay a fine and continue driving.

“If you had a traffic ticket and you paid it, you’re not forever a speeder, are you?” White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said in response to questions from The Examiner.”

Maybe Tony should look at the warning that the National Park Service is making for visitors to Big Bend National Park.

DO NOT cross into Mexico. You cannot legally reenter the United States anywhere within the Park. Penalties for illegal reentry can include a fine of $5,000 and up to a year in prison.

That seems like a pretty big “traffic ticket” to me.

— Oak Leaf

Before going to Arlington Cemetery today, President Bush performed the finest possible tribute to all veterans and their families by signing the “Respect for America’s Fallen Heroes Act.”

“The new law bars protests within 300 feet of the entrance of a national cemetery and within 150 feet of a road into the cemetery. This restriction applies an hour before until an hour after a funeral. Those violating the act would face up to a $100,000 fine and up to a year in prison.”

Thank you Mr. President.

— Oak Leaf