While progressives remain focused on the quagmire in Iraq, many are surely missing a big story – the Republican party’s determined effort to bring itself back from the dead. The issue? Immigration. The battlefield? Right now, it’s Virginia, which holds a highly competitive election this November 6th. The immediate stakes include control of the State Senate, which the Democrats can win with a net of 4 seats.
But the national implications are much larger, as a pilot test of a dangerous message that all of our ills, from crime to traffic to taxes, can be laid at the feet of Latino illegal immigrants. If this message shows promise in Virginia’s elections, the country may be in for a disturbing revival of Pat Buchanan-style know-nothing nativism. Remember, Republicans have nothing else left to run on these days, and it is standard practice for them to energize their base by identifying a group of scapegoats to bash.
In Virginia, Republicans have clearly identified illegal immigration as their salvation, and have made it talking point #1 for their candidates statewide. The bad news is that the issue shows signs of resonating with voters. No one likes illegal behavior, and local rabble-rousers are finding it easy to link Latino immigrants with a range of annoyances, from over-crowded boarding houses to litter around the 7-11.
Everyone on all sides agrees that the Federal government has failed to lead on the issue, but the question then becomes what, if anything, should local jurisdictions do about it? This conflict is most heated in Prince William County, especially in the town of Manassas (ironically close to the site of some major Civil War battles). Eric Byler and Annabel Park are capturing the drama on film at their YouTube site, 9500 Liberty. A group with the paranoia-inducing name of "Help Save Manassas", led by right-wing blogger Greg Letiecq (blog site: Black Velvet Bruce Li), is shown whipping up hysteria against illegals – while also inexplicably playing Wagner’s "Ride of the Valkyries", der Fuhrer’s favorite tune.
The hero of the "Help Save Manassas" crowd is Corey Stewart, Chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, who’s trying to save his job (and perhaps aspire to higher office) by casting himself as the man to protect American civilization against the brown menace invading from south of the border. 9500 Liberty has one video summing up what Stewart’s plans to train and equip his police force to assume immigration enforcement duties will cost: "$14,166,376 for Police Crack Down on Illegals". This ironically puts Republicans in the position of requiring a probable tax increase – not that they’ll admit that before the election!
Beyond Prince William County, immigration is being used to boost Republicans across the state. If Virginia Republicans can stem their losing streak – of the governorship, first to Mark Warner, then to Tim Kaine, and more recently of George Allen’s Senate seat to Jim Webb – by exploiting immigration, it will be a strategy that Republicans nationwide will quickly emulate. And it may well work for them, as demagoguery aimed at creating scapegoats has been an effective political trick throughout history – at least until its usually bloody costs come due.
This is why it is so essential for progressives nationwide to help defeat the Republican immigration-powered surge in Virginia. A resurgent, nativist Republican party focused on splitting the country on this emotional issue could prove devastating to America -- as if the past 7 years of Republican misrule haven't hurt us enough.
To find out more, including how you can help: Teacherken had an excellent summary of key Virginia races. Raising Kaine is Virginia’s premiere progressive website with up-to-the-minute info on state political happenings. And the Democratic Party of Virginia has info and links to all the candidates as well.
Please get involved -- your help is needed!