Correct Messaging Means Victory for Border Patrol
When we hosted Assembly Member Ray Haynes, and broke the news of his California Border Patrol Initiative, one of my goals in discussing this campaign was 'messaging'. I'm glad to see, and hear, that my continual rants on 'how we sound when we talk about immigration and immigrants' IS important to the cause of the Republican Party winning elections.
Today, my good friend, Daniel Weintraub offers a column on Haynes's Border Patrol Drive and included in the content is an expressed concern surrounding our messaging and purpose.
And while Republicans historically have been less than enthusiastic about enforcing sanctions against employers for hiring illegal workers, Haynes says that job should be a key part of the new agency's role.
"If there's a concerted effort to go after those who are trying to abuse the people who are here illegally, maybe some of those folks will use their influence to change immigration laws," he says. "If this is an important source of employees for them, let's do it legally; let's do it right. Let's treat these folks like human beings."
And unlike Proposition 187, which sought to deny public services to illegal immigrants, the border police proposal seeks only to more effectively enforce current law. It will be difficult for opponents to demonize that concept.
Haynes has a long way to go to qualify his proposal for the ballot. But my sense is that if it qualifies, his proposal will probably be approved.
I can't disagree with Dan, nor can I argue with Assembly Member Ray Haynes. There are none better than Ray Haynes and Dave Gilliard to represent an issue like this, I believe the party is in good hands with these two gentleman at the helm.
Like Weintraub, I look for success with this initiative as well - congrats guys!
Originally published May 13, 2005.
