GOP Favors Iraqis Over Latinos

Juan Carrillo, a first time voter in 2004, felt snubbed and confused, "I know that me and a lot of my friends and family voted for Mr. Bush. This seems like they don't need us anymore." However, this may be more than a general snub by Republican presidential candidates. It isn't that they don't need Latinos. Many in the party simply just don't trust Latino loyalty.

A key Republican strategist said that although Latino Americans are the nation's fastest-growing electorate Republicans presidential candidates are too afraid to defend their stance on immigration reform to Latino voters. Almost all candidates in the field favor border enforcement over any amnesty or path to citizenship for the estimated 10-12 million illegal immigrants who are majority of Latino decent.

Mitt Romney, who is leading in Iowa Caucus, the first test of the 2008 nominating process, reported "scheduling conflict" as did most others. Is this political cover? Maybe, maybe not. It has been reported that some GOP candidates have been spending less time courting Latinos and more courting a new political block-Iraqis. Yes, Iraqis.

Earlier last year the president and the congresses agreed to allow as many as 7,000 Iraqi refugees into the county. So far the actual totals have been less than 700. However with Syria, Lebanon and Jordan making it increasing difficult for Iraqis to enter their respective countries Iraqis have looked to the US.

GOP candidates have been secretly advocating for hundreds of thousands of refugees from the war-torn country not only for immigration, but expedited voting rights in the US. While democrats have been focused on their ongoing battle with President Bush over the Iraq War, at least nine amendments have been proposed by Republicans to spending bills in the house and senate. Though vaguely disguised as immigration reform most amendments favor Iraqi refugee participation in the 2008 elections and beyond.

Republicans have staged rallies in front of primarily Iraqi audiences in Atlanta, New Jersey, Ohio and Florida suggesting that they do indeed care about the political concerns of the Iraqi electorate. Republicans intend to use a little know loophole in Voting Rights Act in combination with the 14th amendment of the Constitution to grandfather in thousands of Iraqis in key battle ground states and current democratic strongholds.

How arrogant are these Republicans to think that such actions are politically viable or even possible? Steven Friedman of the Americans for a Republican State (AFRS)-a conservative think tank-says the strategy is forward thinking. Speaking from his home in Saint Paul, Minnesota, "The strategy is two fold. First we will work hard at border control and deportation of illegal immigrants and then we will pass laws granting open immigration for Iraqis and immediate voting rights." This Mr. Friedman said will neutralize any loss of support from Hispanic voters.

Friedman said the strategy would work and its affects would be felt in the 2008 Presidential election. A senior staffer at AFRS, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said a former top White House Aide had been hired to run the day-to-day operation of-Operation Iraqi Vote (OIV). Pressed on whether that former aide was Karl Rove, Mr. Friedman wouldn't confirm or deny. Calls to Mr. Rove were unanswered.