That’s the characterization of the Republican Party by those who consider themselves progressive on issues of “economic justice.” But Mickey Kaus draws attention to a point made by the editors of National Review:

On the issue of immigration, majorities of Republicans in both the Senate and House have sided with their conservative base against not just left-wing civil-rights groups and elite opinion, but also a business lobby accustomed to plenty of cheap labor, Republican-party poobahs, and President Bush. They have withstood withering press criticism and pressure from their deep-pocketed donors.

A party that was nothing but an extension of the corporate boardroom never would have approved anti-immigrant legislation that redounds to the benefit of (among others) unions. That said, it doesn’t reflect well on Republicans that the best defense against the charge of corporatism is, “No, they’re not—they’re nativists! They’d rather keep Latinos out of the U.S. than please their biggest campaign donors!” High praise, indeed.

So, I take it that they ("they" as in Pubs) see it advantageous to ride the Born Again/Social Conservative wave for all its worth. There is a perception that Social Conserv’s have the most voting power.

Well then...business interests and/or “Main Street Republicans” could very well slide over the Democratic Party.

A sober-minded Republican hierarchy would take the time to decide whether such a trade-off is really worth it—in the short run and also long.

I think the real problem with the current GOP is that they isolate themselves too much in the gated suburbs. They need to get out to the city more often. There’s plenty of people there also!

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