Friday, January 11, 2008
Pandering from on High
Oh, ye who think that immigration dominates the issues of the year, head these words:
“No woman is illegal,” Clinton said, to cheers.
That leaves a few questions for the crowd: Can men be illegal? Is it only women that are gifted with the special, illegal-proof coating? And, either way, does that special, illegal-free status somehow make it legal for someone to do something like, say, cross a border illegally?
Immigration reform is a big issue, although, unlike the immigration hawks, I don’t think it’s the most important issue of our time and I’m actually in favor of some solutions that would leave Michelle Malkin mocking me cruelly. Thankfully, I’m not important enough to mock or my feelings might be seriously hurt.
While I suppose it’s reasonable to say that a person can’t be illegal--that is, a person’s very existence can’t be against the law--the obvious implication that illegal immigrants (which describes both a person and how that person entered the country) aren’t doing anything wrong is foolish. The United States not only has the right to protect its borders, but the obligation to protect its borders. People who have entered the country illegally know that they have broken the law, know what happens if they get caught, and often engage in other illegal activity linked to that original crime (driving without licenses or insurance, stealing Social Security numbers to gain employment).
“No woman is illegal” is a meaningless phrase that ignores the obvious--that illegal immigration is a real, live problem--and seems to indicate that people who touch soil in the US somehow immediately gain legal immigrant status. If that isn’t the case, then I’d love an explanation of what, precisely, she meant when she said those words.
Besides, it comes off sort of sexist.
The Clintons have always lived and died by polls and have an amazing gift of pander. As I’ve said, it’s one of the reasons that I trust Hillary more than I do Obama. Her unwillingness to govern by her principles is precisely the thing that could save us from her more high-minded ideals--ideals that Obama, more often than not shares. This is the first time that I’ve heard one of the candidates use that little gem from the pro-illegal immigration activists, though, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it turns the stomach a bit.
Let it be known that the pander factor is extra-high with this one.
Read the rest. And marvel at some of the other wrong-headed things that she said.

Comments & Trackbacks
OMG dude, I had to stop at the Guacamole and chips line.
it amazes me that she’s taken seriously…
Man, that line killed me, too. I couldn’t believe I was reading that--the dog was staring at me and wondering why I was laughing so hard.
This is why Obama’s going to win it. She has to KNOW she’s screwing up. Do you think she’s trying to intentionally throw it? Sometimes I sure do.
I know some women who should be illegal.
I fear for our future…
If she’s decided to become an open borders advocate, then she’ll lose the general election handily.
Walter, I totally agree with you.
I think I could be outlawed in several states.
Could be?
Andy, I guess mr lady has already forgotten about those warrants…