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Now that Republicans have decided that all of their problems can be solved through better rhetoric, the next step is obvious: GOP policymakers and candidates have to learn what it is, exactly, they're supposed to say.
To that end, a leading GOP pollster told House Republicans two weeks ago to stop talking about rape altogether. The pollster, Kellyanne Conway, told the representatives to consider rape a "four-letter word."
And what about immigration? The a conservative Hispanic group has that covered, too.
The Hispanic Leadership Network, a center-right group looking to woo Latinos to the GOP, sent Republican congressmen of all stripes a list of suggested "Dos and Don'ts of Immigration Reform" Monday afternoon. The memo was obtained by The Hill.
"Tone and rhetoric will be key in the days and weeks ahead as both liberals and conservatives lay out their perspectives. Please consider these tonally sensitive messaging points as you discuss immigration, regardless of your position," Hispanic Leadership Network Executive Director Jennifer Korn writes.
What counts as "tonally sensitive messaging points"? Some of the tips are obvious -- words like "illegals" and "aliens" are not well received, nor are phrases like "anchor babies."
But this tip was amazing: "Don't characterize all Hispanics as undocumented and all undocumented as Hispanics."
In 2013, it's apparently still necessary for Republicans to receive advice like this. Is it any wonder the party is struggling so badly to win support outside its older white base?
What's more, as Jed Lewison explained, "Before you even read word one from the memo, the fact that the group is more concerned about how congressional Republicans talk about the issue than how they vote on it is a pretty clear indication of just how backwards Republicans are on this topic. Usually in politics, advocacy groups try to achieve actual policy priorities. Here, they are just trying to stop their party from acting like a**holes -- and based on some of their advice, they must really think there's a lot of a**holes in their party."
Also note, the Hispanic Leadership Network's leaders clearly have their work cut out for them -- just this morning Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) said he opposes comprehensive immigration reform and doesn't think his party should bother reaching out to Latino voters.
Barletta went on to say that the GOP should have no interest in providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, claiming that most are uneducated, government-dependent individuals who wouldn't support the party.
"I hope politics is not at the root of why we're rushing to pass a bill. Anyone who believes that they're going to win over the Latino vote is grossly mistaken," Barletta said, according to the Morning Call. "The majority that are here illegally are low-skilled or may not even have a high school diploma. The Republican Party is not going to compete over who can give more social programs out. They will become Democrats because of the social programs they'll depend on."
Barletta probably hasn't seen the "tonally sensitive messaging points" just yet.
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I have two concerns that I have yet to see anyone be they government official or talking head address.
1. Once the undocumented become the documented, when they go to their various workplaces in "low skilled" jobs in the fields and on construction sites, etc. are they going to be paid at least comparable wages to the rest of us or will their employers be allowed to continue to pay them far less and continue expanding the wealth gap and suppress overall wages as they do now? Is this going to be addressed or not? I have heard not a damn thing concerning it from anyone. I would like to hear what Cohen and Trumka have to say about this. Hopefully you can get them on the show soon.
2. I have heard continually to say the least that in order to be put on the path to being legal the undocumented must pay their back taxes and some sort of penalty in order to give the rest of us our pound of flesh for their crime. Fine I suppose but what about about the person or company that was employing them while they were here illegally? Where is the chorus demanding the employers of the undocumented pay back taxes and penalties? They are at least as guilty if a crime has been committed and should be punished with equal severity. These people they employed for years and years will become our future senior citizens and draw upon Social Security and Medicare. Where will the employer's contribution come from for all those years? To punish the poor and down trodden is the American way I know, but isn't it time for equal justice this once? Punish all who broke the law, rich and poor, employer and employee alike or punish no one. How about that being the new American way?
!)As citizens they will have to be paid at least minimum wage and they will be able to use the labor board to file suit. Farm workers will have the same rights as the legal migrants. That al9one will improve their lot.They will also be able to unionize and can no longer be cheated since they are not subject to deportation if they take legal action.
2)Employers were always required to pay the tax and workmens comp. They either did so using the workers own phony SSN or they broke the law and are liable.As much as companies yap about taxes they have little reason not to pay employee tax which comes from the emplyees salary.The way they made a killing was by charging the employee for housing they were provided while grouping two or more families to an apartment or by actually requiring hush money from the illegals.
Senator McCain pointed out the reason for the shift is merely for electability, which frankly is a sorry-ass reason to embark on immigration. He (McCain) mentioned that these immigrants work here, but are unable to benefit from this country.
I find those types of remarks really disingenuous in that labor has been a major target by the GOP.
I believe that the GOP would really like to keep them as illegals such that we can exploit them. However, with this President having been committed to deportation of undocumented workers, this has put a crimp in businesses access to them for exploitation.
First, I would like that anyone residing in our borders, and would like to stay, should immediately be entitiled to the minimum wage, as well as become tax-payers, and such be entitled to everything we have. If they want to be come citizens as to be able to vote, then yes, they should learn the language - that would only benefit them more - and learn the rules of the road in regards to our government.
Yes, they should pass a background check and be provided a preliminary card identifying who they are, and be instructed that harboring future immigrants will be punishable by deportation.
I just don't see the GOP being "loving" as they haven't shown much of it in the last several years.
I sent a note to the President saying that, too. This should be done because it is the right thing to do. Being politically advantageous may help it get done.
That is sad. I have long said the circumstances were appalling, but the migrant families see this as what they must do to survive. How desperate they must be to risk all the possible BAD outcomes.
Sound familiar to the people who came over the sea for weeks? There is so much to be said in favor of immigration, but we keep playing politics and treating people like crap, for what?
Now we have more than just south of the border folks entering the country through various methods. Human trafficking is one way. Oh, right… it WAS legal back 400 years or so ago. We should know by now, exploiting humans for labor is not legal here any more.
We need to address the other side of this sometimes horrific situation. And then add the sort of thing Arizona and Rmoney wanted… no wonder they lost. We are humans with compassion here, not a bunch of rabid haters. At least that is the direction I would like to go.
Yes, there are people breaking the law by hiring them, which is totally bogus for keeping wages lower by exploiting people. The corps love that, hence it took way too long to make this right, or "right-er".
"Don't characterize all Hispanics as undocumented "
But that is exactly what happens whenever Alabama or Georgia or Arizona or any of the others institute laws designed to catch undocumented immigrants. The cops pull over anyone who has slightly brown skin and harass them, citizenship be damned. After a while Hispanic American citizens say to hell with it and go somewhere else where that kind of harassment doesn't exist.
Rachel, great show about the "Changing GOP" with not just immigration but with everything.
Let's remind everyone that the definition of conservatism means "NO CHANGE" (look it up)
That means, when Republicans start "changing" their ways just to cater to NEW demographics...
They become DEMOCRATS! ...Use that on your next show!
The GOP cannot give up conservatism, you know, those Grand Old values.
They would have to start a new political party to cater to a new constituency.
I really want this message to get to you so I'm posting it in a few other articles so please do not get mad at me.
Thanks for your great show.