Chapman on the Pence deal

There's a big battle brewing for Congressman Mike Pence--and it may mean some loss of standing among his usual constituency. His immigration reform bill is labeled accusingly (but eagerly by Pence) as the "compromise bill." the thinking (or lack thereof) on the hardcore protectionist side (I think that matches since Pat Buchanan is one of them) is that compromise is a bad word, therefore if anyone tries it, goodness knows our country will be destroyed in fire and water or something.

Tim Chapman takes Pence’ side (as I do) in a column from yesterday with the general assessment that people on both sides need to tone down the temperature and realize that Pence' bill could be the REAL salvation since nothing is likely to get past both the House and Senate without significant compromise on both sides.

The Senate, fresh off passing the McCain-Kennedy amnesty plan, appears adamant that its position on a guest worker program containing some sort of amnesty must survive. Meanwhile, the hard-core crowd in the House led by Colorado Republican Tom Tancredo is providing a much more vigorous critique of the Pence plan, concluding that it is weak on border security and tantamount to amnesty, even though the Pence plan has won support from conservatives including Dick Armey and Newt Gingrich.

This issue is scary because many of the protectionists are so hotheaded that they could end the relative unity the GOP has enjoyed for the last decade.

Give Chapman a read even if it bores you. World Magazine also did a feature on the Pence proposal a while ago (up till June 21)--he needs all the support he can get.