I believe it was Michael Kinsley who said that in politics, the definition of a "gaffe" is when someone tells the truth in public. By that standard, Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell appears to have committed a significant gaffe:
House Speaker William J. Howell, hoping the General Assembly Republican majority survives in November, says Virginia's newcomers aren't necessarily friendly to the GOP.Howell, R-Stafford, told about 100 corporate lobbyists yesterday that there "is a different constituency in a lot of parts of the commonwealth."
Got that? Virginia's Republican House Speaker, Bill Howell, admits that one of his main concerns about immigration -- no mention of the word "illegal," note -- is that the "newcomers aren't necessarily friendly to the GOP." (again, note that Howell says "newcomers" NOT "illegal immigrants")
Oh, and just in case we missed his point, Howell clarifies it for us: "the state's newest residents may not embrace the 'shared values we have in Virginia.'" Translation: Hispanics tend to vote Democratic, not Republican. And Bill Howell certainly can't have that, now can he?
Again, please note that Howell did NOT say the word "illegal" when talking about the politics of "newcomers" and the GOP in Virginia. Note also that Howell DID focus on the changing demographics of Virginia -- translation, more Hispanics -- and how that is hurting the GOP politically. Can't get much clearer than that.
By the way, is it rich, unintentionally hilarious or what that one of those fat-cat (presumably Republican) lobbyists got into an argument with Howell over whether Virginia should "help, rather than possibly punish, businesses that hire illegal immigrants?" Hmmmm...do I sense a split within Republican ranks, with a sizable and powerful part of the GOP coalition -- the business community -- actually benefiting from and therefore favoring illegal immigration? (it's so tempting to use the line, "What part of "illegal" don't Republicans understand?"). In contrast, I could have sworn I heard Democrats talking about their opposition to corporations hiring and exploiting illegal immigrants (while busting unions and labor power in the process). Priorities, priorities. Of course, we know where Republicans get a lot of their money -- from industries that hire and exploit illegal immigrants to boost their own profits at the expense of everybody else.
Truth and gaffes from Bill Howell on immigration. Now it's time for some consequences on November 6?
I figured he brought that up to VA Free because he wants to scare them into thinking that these people will advocate massive tax increases that will shut down the booming economy of Virginia.
VA FREE isn't stupid. They know their best friend is former Governor, future something Mark Warner, and they would be wise to endorse more Democrats than Republicans this year.