Wednesday, August 26, 2015

The Team GOP Conundrum: "Trumping" the Immigration Issue

It's time to Break It Down!

A funny thing happened as the GOP race for the Presidency got out of the gate.  A candidate whom many were not convinced would even run, and whom others figured would bow out quickly, if he did run, and whom others still, presumed would be minimized, if not nullified, by the time the campaign began in earnest, is in fact, leading the race.  The Donald, who boldly and frequently proclaims the American Dream is dead, and only he can bring back sexy…I mean the American Dream, has all but made a mockery out of the race to determine the Republican nominee for the White House, in the early going.

He leads his nearest opponent by a nearly 2:1 margin in most polls, more in some.  Mr. Trump appears to be single-handedly redefining the playbook for GOPolithink.  It was not that long ago, the collective wisdom of the Grand Old Party was, “that Barack Obama guy took us to the woodshed twice by dominating the Hispanic vote.  In 2008, Senator Obama garnered 62% of the Hispanic vote.  In 2012, the number rose to 71%.     

After November 2012 Presidential Election, the GOP Mantra was, we are going to plan and execute a brand new policy initiative expressly for 2016.  We’ll show ‘em.”

Wow, did they ever!  On the evening of June 16, 2015, Mr. Trump announced his candidacy for President of the United States in the 2016 election at the Trump Tower in New York City with the slogan "Make America Great Again.

Part of his formula for making America Great Again included plans to complete the Mexican border fence, or a wall, as he calls it, and make Mexico pay for it.  But he did not stop there.  He went on to say:  

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best...They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with [them]. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”   

In the immediate aftermath of the Trump announcement, a number of entities severed ties with the mogul candidate.  Several businesses and organizations – including NBC, Macy's, Univision, and NASCAR (along with sponsor Camping World) – cut ties with Trump over his comments.  The response among his fellow GOP candidates was mixed.  Two of them, Senator Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, and former Texas Governor, Rick Perry, quickly squared off against Trump and his stinging remarks.  Interestingly, for all practical purposes, they both dropped of the political radar.

Trump, alternately, zoomed to the top of the polls, and has held a commanding lead for the first two months of the campaign.  Of course, we are talking about Donald Trump; so naturally, he was not through with the issue.  In fact, he has since doubled and tripled, perhaps even quadrupled down on the idea.  He has promised to build the biggest most sophisticated and effective wall imaginable.  He has referenced the Great Wall of China as just one example of what’s possible.  What a novel and potentially historic idea.

Most of us know there are 17 candidates that the media and GOP Polling sites consider serious.  However, there are more than twice that many declared candidates for the GOP Ticket.  Since you have almost surely not seen this list, and will likely never see it again, I thought it would be instructional to share it here.  So, for your edification only, here it is.  First there is the list, in polling order, based on the first debate.  This is the list with which most of us are familiar.  The first 10 made it to the Prime Time Main Stage:

·      Donald Trump, 23.2 percent
·      Jeb Bush, 12.8
·      Scott Walker, 10.6
·      Ben Carson, 6.6
·      Mike Huckabee, 6.6
·      Ted Cruz, 6.2
·      Marco Rubio, 5.2
·      Rand Paul, 4.8
·      Chris Christie, 3.4
·      John Kasich, 2.8

The second group includes the 7 candidates who appeared in the Matinee edition of the GOP Debate:

·      Rick Perry, 2.0
·      Rick Santorum, 1.4
·      Bobby Jindal, 1.2
·      Carly Fiorina, 1.0
·      Lindsey Graham, 0.4
·      George Pataki, N/A
·      Jim Gilmore, N/A

And then you have the list of declared candidates in its entirety, in Alpha Order:

 •  Skip Andrews  ◄ DECLARED
 •  George Bailey  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Michael Bickelmeyer  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Kerry Bowers  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Jeb Bush (2)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Dr. Ben Carson (4)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Eric Cavanagh  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Dale Christensen  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Chris Christie (9)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Ted Cruz (6)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Brooks Cullison  ◄ DECLARED
 •  John Dummett, Jr.  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Bob Ehrlich
 •  Mark Everson  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Jack Fellure  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Carly Fiorina (14)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Jim Gilmore (17)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Lindsey Graham (15)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Jim Hayden  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Chris Hill  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Mike Huckabee (5)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Bobby Jindal (13)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  John Kasich (10)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Bartholomew James Lower  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Andy Martin  ◄ DECLARED
 •  James C. Mitchell, Jr.  ◄ DECLARED
 •  K. Ross Newland  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Esteban Oliverez  ◄ DECLARED
 •  George Pataki (16)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Rand Paul (8)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Rick Perry (11)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Michael Petyo  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Marco Rubio (7)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Brian Russell  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Rick Santorum (12)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Jefferson Sherman  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Shawna Sterling  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Donald Trump (1)*  ◄ DECLARED
 •  Scott Walker (3)*  ◄ DECLARED

As a frontrunner, the one thing about Trump is no one can say he has been forced to tone it down or play it timid.  In fact, some of his best stuff has almost surely not even been uttered yet.  However, one of the most recent “get the eff outta here ideas he released so far came up a few days ago when he suggested that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution is actually illegal.  Newsflash; the Constitution is illegal!  This comes from the frontrunner of the Party that feigns irreducible fealty to the Constitution.  For a point of reference, just think Second Amendment and gun rights.  Say what?

In addressing the matter with Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, Mr. Trump said that the 14th Amendment – which guarantees citizenship to all people “born or naturalized in the United States,” including children whose parents came to the country illegally is unconstitutional.

            “It’s not going to hold up in court.”

The key language, found in the first section is as follows:

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

A central element of this section is the Citizenship Clause, which overruled the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision that black people were not citizens and could not become citizens, nor enjoy the benefits of citizenship.  Some members of Congress voted for the Fourteenth Amendment in order to eliminate doubts about the constitutionality of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, or to ensure that no subsequent Congress could later repeal or alter the main provisions of that Act.  The Civil Rights Act of 1866 had granted citizenship to all persons born in the United States if they were not subject to a foreign power, and this clause of the Fourteenth Amendment constitutionalized this rule.




So, suddenly, Donald John Trump, turned Constitutional scholar, has declared an Amendment, adopted July 9, 1868.  One more element of this facet of the conversation is the use of the term Anchor Baby.  The term is a pejorative description for a child born to an illegal immigrant mother to the United States.

There is a popular misconception that the child's U.S. citizenship status (acquired by jus soli) legally helps the child's parents and siblings to quickly reclassify their visa status (or lack thereof) and to place them on a fast pathway to acquire lawful permanent residence and eventually United States citizenship.  Current U.S. federal law prevents anyone under the age of 21 from being able to petition for their non-citizen parent to be lawfully admitted into the United States for permanent residence. At best, the child's family would need to wait for 21 years before being able to use their child's US citizenship to modify their immigration status

The term is generally used as a derogatory reference to the supposed role of the child, who automatically qualifies as an American citizen and can later act as a sponsor for other family members.  The term is also often used in the context of the debate over illegal immigration to the United States to refer to children of illegal immigrants, but may be used for the child of any immigrant.

The pyrotechnics over the use of the term has spilled over into the jousting between Jeb Bush and Trump.  But the real elephant (GOP symbol) in the room is that several of the current GOP Presidential candidates have direct ties to immigrants. 

One, Ted Cruz, was not born in the United States, though he gets his citizenship from his mother, who was an American citizen.  His father is Cuban born; his American mother gave birth to Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz in Calgary, Alberta (Canada).

A second, Marco Antonio Rubio, would, by Jeb Bush and Donald Trump’s definition, be considered an Anchor Baby.  Marco was born in Miami in 1971.  His parents applied for Citizenship, and were Naturalized in 1975.

Another, Piyush "Bobby" Jindal, also fits the profile.  His parents moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from Malerkotla, Punjab, India, in January 1971, a few months prior to Bobby’s birth on June 10th.  Jindal’s case is particularly curious in that he has voiced support for the effort to end the practice.  Upon reflection, I must wonder, if in fact the practice is ended, is there a way to make it retroactive.  That would help thin out the GOP field of candidates.  At least it would eliminate a couple of candidates polling in single digits anyway.

For the sake of full disclosure, it’s important to note Trump and Jindal are not the only GOP candidates to board the Anchor Baby bandwagon.  Governor Scott Walker, who I wrote about last week, Governor Chris Christie, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Rand Paul, and former Senator Rick Santorum have all embraced the questionable and controversial position.  I will reiterate my most fervent plea.  Do you research, and by all means, vote.  Your very way of life may depend on it.

As for that Mantra, and the commitment to devise and execute a new initiative to turn the tide, we will see.  At this point in the race, it’s difficult to be anything other than dubious. 

A common phrase related to the race is, “it’s early; and it is.  There is still a lot of time for the “Change We Believe In” to occur.  At this time in 2007, Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney led the polling for their respective Parties.  Of course, neither of them went on to win.  So, perhaps that bodes well for those who hope not to have to contend with the likes of President Trump.  For whatever it’s worth, it shouldn’t instill much confidence for Clinton backers either.  But that’s a discussion for another day.  Right now, just sit back and contemplate The Team GOP Conundrum: “Trumping” theImmigration Issue!”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com or http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

The Donald: Introducing TV Military Doctrine

It's time to Break It Down!

Approximately seven years ago, Senator John McCain made a fateful decision that Democrats would come to view as “the gift that kept on giving.”  On Friday, August 29, 2008, the GOP Nominee for President announced that he had selected 44 year-old Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.  The Senator, a long serving member of the United States Senate, had reportedly considered several candidates on his short list, not including Mrs. Palin.  It’s fair to say, her selection was more than a little surprising.

In introducing her, Senator McCain said, “She’s not from these parts, and she’s not from Washington, but when you get to know her, you’re going to be as impressed as I am.”

In retrospect that was high-octane wishful thinking.  The Senator’s prediction would never come to pass.  Of course, to her credit, she tried. 

Within moments of McCain’s announcement, Ms. Palin made an explicit appeal to the disappointed supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton by praising not only Mrs. Clinton but also another woman who has been on a major presidential ticket, Geraldine A. Ferraro, Walter F. Mondale’s Democratic running mate in 1984.  Governor Palin said, “Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America, but it turns out the women of America aren’t finished yet, and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.”

The bold proclamations of this political odd couple were among the high points of the campaign.  When it came to political seasoning, Katie Couric revealed, just one month later, on September 29, 2008, that this empress wore no clothes.

Ms. Couric conducted interviews with both Vice Presidential candidates that were scheduled to air leading up to the election.  Her interview with Governor Palin altered the trajectory of the remainder of the Campaign.  It is a near certainty that for many Americans, the exchange provided a gasp-worthy insight into the depth, or lack thereof, of Mrs. Palin.  It was a moment no less sobering than the one in which Toto pulled back the curtain to reveal that the supposed great and powerful Wizard was but a mere mortal, desperately trying to create the illusion of legerdemain.

The crux of the question, the shot heard around the world, as it were, was a basic one.  What newspapers have you read to stay in touch with world events?  It unfolded, as follows:     

CBS Evening News, host Katie Couric asked Sarah Palin which sources she relies on for the news consumption that shaped her worldview. On three separate occasions, Couric tried to elicit a response from Palin about which specific newspapers she reads. Seemingly caught off guard, Palin could not name a single news source:

COURIC: And when it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious, what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were tapped for this — to stay informed and to understand the world?


PALIN: I’ve read most of them again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media —

COURIC: But what ones specifically? I’m curious.

PALIN: Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me over all these years.

COURIC: Can you name any of them?

PALIN: I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news.

View the video:


Fast forward to present day, and there is an inviting temptation to conflate Sarah Palin, the Quixotic 2008 Vice Presidential candidate, and Donald Trump, the megalomaniacal 2016 GOP Presidential Poll Leader.  Mr. Trump, as I briefly mentioned last week, continues to flout convention and flummox his rivals.  Moreover, he has captivated a plurality of those voters who identify themselves as Republican.

It’s still reasonably early, but in the really early going, many if not most of the so-called experts predicted that The Donald would be a flash in the pan player that would ultimately not even be considered “a thing.”  Clearly, we are past that point.  From the outset he has made waves.  Some theorized he would never submit to completing and releasing Campaign Finance statements necessary to officially join the campaign.  It appears he relishes the moment…at least for the moment.  He has made himself a proverbial media magnet by making what seems like a continuing series of unusual, if not outrageous statements and actions, including:

·      Making an initial Xenophobic statement about Mexicans
·      Revealing Senator Graham’s cell phone number
·      Asserting Senator McCain is not a hero
·      Making controversial remarks about Fox News analyst Megyn Kelly
·      Suggesting he would erect a wall along the entire U.S. – Mexican border
·      Proposing to bomb Iraqi oil fields
·      Providing constant reminders that he is the richest guy ever to run for President
·      Turning his cell message into a Campaign Ad after the Blog Site Gawker revealed his number

He has run an unorthodox campaign.  Up to this point, he has proceeded in the best Sinatra-like tradition; he has done it his way.  If you have spent more than a minute of two listening to, and being informed (I use the term loosely) by the Trump Worldview, you have no doubt heard some, if not all of the tropes listed above.

All of this Trump magic has propelled him to a significant lead in most major polls.  His average lead is roughly 24% to 12% to the second highest polling candidate, which varies from poll to poll, with Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, or Ben Carson coming in second place.  This lead is firmly entrenched when subject matter is considered, for example, the economy, Isis, and immigration.  He also rules the gender roost, at the moment, polling 57% favorable with men, and 60% favorable with women (both among likely Republican voters).

So this past Sunday, I had, for all practical purposes, a déjà vu moment.  Mr. Trump was a guest on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”  When host Chuck Todd questioned Mr. Trump on his military positions, Trump said he watches television shows for military advice.

Todd asked, “Let’s go foreign affairs. You want to knock the hell out of ISIS, how?”

Trump said, “I want to take away their wealth. And as you know, for years, I’ve been saying, don’t go into Iraq. They went into Iraq, they destabilized the Middle East. It was a big mistake. Okay, now we’re there, and you have ISIS. And I said this was going to happen. I said Iran will take over Iraq, which is happening, as sure as you’re sitting there, and ISIS is taking over a lot of oil in certain areas of Iraq. And I said, you take away their wealth. You go and knock the hell out of the oil, take back the oil. We take over the oil, which we should have done in the first place.”

Todd continued, “What you’re talking about is ground troops, maybe 25,000.”

Trump answered, “That’s okay. We’re going to circle it. We’re going to circle it. We’re going to have so much money. And what I would do with the money that we make, which would be tremendous. I would take care of the soldiers that were killed, the families of the soldiers that were killed, the soldiers, the wounded warriors that are — I see — I love them. And they’re walking all over the streets of New York, all over the streets of every city, without arms, without legs, and worse than that. And I would take care of them.”  (I presume they have an abundance of pretty good prosthetics…doing all that walking “with no legs).  I digress. 

Todd pressed, “So, America should take over these oil fields. [They] shouldn’t be given to the Iraqis?”

Trump added, “Well, we can give them something, but we should definitely take back money for our soldiers. We’ve had soldiers that were decimated, so badly hurt, the wounded warriors, and killed, of course. But we’ve had soldiers that were so badly hurt and killed. I want their families to get something. Because we got nothing out of that war. We spent $2 trillion, Chuck. We had thousands of people killed, wounded warriors all over the place. They got nothing, and they can’t even say we had a victory.”

Todd asked, “Who do you talk to for military advice right now?”

Trump answered, “Well, I watch the shows. I mean, I really see a lot of great — you know, when you watch your show, and all of the other shows, and you have the generals, and you have certain people –.”

Okay, it was right about there I though, this guy is channeling Sarah Palin…circa 2008.

Todd continued, “But is there somebody, is there a go-to for you? Every presidential candidate has a go-to.” 

He was really trying to help him regroup, as Ms. Couric did for Mrs. Palin, over, and over again.  This is borderline scary.


Trump answered, “Probably there are two or three. I like Bolton. I think he’s a tough cookie, knows what he’s talking about. Jacobs is a good guy –.”
Todd asked, “You mean Ambassador Bolton? You mean Colonel Jack Jacobs?”
Trump confirmed saying, “Colonel Jack Jacobs is a good guy, and I see him on occasion.”

Really?  Last week, I wrote about the contemporary Republican bent toward anti-intellectualism; even anti-higher education.  That was aimed at several of Mr. Trump’s GOP cohorts, but most notably, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, who left Marquette University without obtaining a degree.  Let’s be clear, Scott Walker is no Donald Trump.  Mr. Trump holds a B.S. Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious Ivy League school. 

However, his admitted penchant for extracting military advice from TV is more than mildly disconcerting.  While he did not list stations by name, the network of choice for most self-respecting Conservatives is Fox News.  I hate to think of where extrapolating might lead, using that factoid.  So I won’t.  I suspect most of those experts I referenced earlier still expect Mr. Trump’s Campaign to fade as we get into more debates and the Primary Season.

When I think of the prospect that Governor Palin made it to the Final Four, so to speak, and that Mr. Trump is leading his Party at the moment, I realize what a tenuous hold we have on the land of the free and home of the brave.  Now is certainly the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country…and vote (Make sure you have a valid ID).  After all, we have already witnessed The Donald: Introducing TVMilitary Doctrine!”

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.com or http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com. Find a new post each Wednesday.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/news/one-on-one-with-sarah-palin/