Richard Spencer

October 23, 2008

Here’s another dash of cold water for those right-wingers, like me, who worked so hard to convince themselves that Sarah Palin just must have Buchananite views on the issues because of her down-home charm and moose-hunting prowess.

In an interview with Univision, she told us what she really thinks about immigration:   

Univision:“As governor, how do you deal with them? Do you think they all should be deported?”

PalinThere is no way that in the US we would roundup every illegal immigrant—there are about 12 million of the illegal immigrants—not only economically is that just an impossibility but that’s not a humane way anyway to deal with the issue that we face with illegal immigration.

UnivsisionDo you then favor an amnesty for the 12 or 13 million undocumented immigrants?

PalinNo, I do not. I do not. Not total amnesty. [Emphasis added.] You know, people have got to follow the rules. They’ve got to follow the bar, and we have got to make sure that there is equal opportunity and those who are here legally should be first in line for services being provided and those opportunities that this great country provides.

UnivisionTo clarify, so you support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants?

PalinI do because I understand why people would want to be in America. To seek the safety and prosperity, the opportunities, the health that is here. It is so important that yes, people follow the rules so that people can be treated equally and fairly in this country.

Here’s Lawrence Auster‘s take: 

So, people who have illegally entered and illegally remained in this country should be legalized and made citizens. Why? Because we sympathize with their desire to get the nice things they want to get here. Palin thus makes people’s feelings and desires—and not just any people’s feelings and desires, but the feelings and desires of illegal aliens—her highest guide in determining what America’s immigration and naturalization policy ought to be. She is, in short, a liberal.
From Shatter-the-Glass-Ceiling Sarah, to Take-Care-of-an Infant-Baby-while-Running-for-and-Serving-as-Vice-President-of-the-United-States Sarah, to Take-Your-Unmarried-Pregnant-Teen-age-Daughter-on-Your Vice-Presidential-Campaign-and-Display her-on-Stage-with-You-in-Every-State-of-the-Union Sarah, to Spread-Democracy-to-the-Whole-World Sarah, to Legalize-(Almost)-All-Illegal-Aliens-Because-it-Will-Make-Them-Feel-Good Sarah, it all seems to be of a piece, doesn’t it?

But none of this matters to the conservatives. All of this is just great with the conservatives—because (drum roll) Sarah is pro-America.

And Daniel Larison‘s:

So people should follow the rules, unless they don?t, in which case they will become citizens?but it?s not amnesty!  That?s probably as concise a summary of McCain?s dishonest position on immigration as anyone could manage, so give Palin some credit for that.  I have given up trying to understand what Palinites see in their favorite candidate.  If this does not drive home how malleable and unacquainted with the relevant policy options she is, I?m not sure what would.