Conservatives Threaten to Pull Financial Support for GOP

Conservative activist Richard A. Viguerie is getting tough with Republicans that support any immigration reform bill that provides illegal immigrants with a path to citizenship, calling such plans "amnesty."

In a pledge on the conservative website No Bush Amnesty, Viguerie is calling on his fellow conservatives to cut off financial support for the Republican National Committee, the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and any Republican senator or congressman who voted for the legislation. Signers of the pledge also vow to have their names and addresses removed from the mailing list of Republican fundraising organizations and to support anti-amnesty Republican candidates in the primaries.

According to a press release, "The ONLY way the Republican Party will take us seriously is if we pledge to cut off financial support and to challenge pro-amnesty Republicans with anti-amnesty primary opponents," said Viguerie in a letter to fellow conservatives. "It's time to play hardball with the GOP on amnesty!" "Viguerie has promised to deliver all signed pledges to Senate Republican leaders, fundraising committees and Republican senators.

The immigration reform bill, which would grant illegal workers a path to citizenship after paying $5000 and making a trip to their homeland to obtain Z visas, was thought by many conservatives to be dead two weeks ago when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pulled the bill from consideration after failing to limit floor discussion of the bill. However, the immigration reform legislation has resurfaced with some changes, including more border security and employee verification programs, but the amnesty provision remains, much to the ire of conservatives. Conservatives have stuck by President Bush as his approval ratings have plummeted, but many feel alienated by Bush's support for immigration reform that would allow for work visas and amnesty programs.

McConnell, the Republican Senator from Kentucky and the Senate's top Republican said Sunday that the vote on the immigration bill is too close to call, but a $4.4 billion allotment for border security has been added to the bill to appease conservatives who believe the original bill would do little to curb illegal immigration.

Viguerie is the self-described "Funding Father" of modern conservatism. He pioneered direct mail marketing and has recently released the book "Conservatives Betrayed: How the Republican Party Hijacked the Conservative Cause." He also sought the American Independent Party's presidential nomination in 1976 and the Republican nomination for Virginia's Lieutenant Governmor in 1985. Both of his political campaigns were unsuccessful.

Sources: Press Release: Viguerie to Conservatives: 'It's time to cut off financial support to the GOP if the Bush Amnesty Bill is passed!' (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-18-2007/0004610615&EDATE=)