The American Spectator

About McCain’s survival:

The Republican nomination can be had for the asking, by McCain, Giuliani, Romney or any other telegenic soul ready to keep a promise to (1) build a fence along the southern border of the United States, and (2) take all measures necessary to halt the flow of aliens entering the states from the south, and (3) systematically identify and deport all aliens in the U.S. illegally. Make that the foundation of a campaign; much can be built on it; nothing can be built without it.

The general election can be won by any semi-skilled politician willing to attach to any federal legislation an amendment making it a felony to enter the U.S. illegally. Add a passage that allows the border patrol or the National Guard to shoot back when fired upon, and the general election would be mostly formality.

Libertarians and Reagan Democrats are deserting Bush because his promise to mount a steadfast national defense rang false when it became apparent he does not want to secure the southern border. Many wonder why he demanded the abridgment of various civil liberties if he doesn’t want to curtail movement into this nation by all the flotsam coming up the trail from Mexico. Why, for example, turn license to drive into a national identity card, when a thousand people without papers walk across the line every day.

The reason presidential politics have become broad farce and dance contest is that candidates so seldom know what the issues are. This year, and next year, the principal issue is illegal immigration, and the winner will be he who addresses it as a crime and a threat to national security. (Thus making all promises of national security ring true.) Anyone who ignores it is bound to wander through the primaries wondering what went wrong, as McCain is doing now and will stop doing soon, for one reason or another.

Straight talk, anyone?