# Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.). "We’re not generating enough angry white guys" **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 31, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277 "2012-08-31T17:26:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/61 "2012-09-02T12:58:02Z")
That’s why you have to bar illegals from both public benefits and jobs. Otherwise, there’s little to lose in coming here. I’m in favor of barring illegals from jobs and stiffening employer sanctions. But you defeat the purpose if you allow them support in other ways. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/62 "2012-09-02T13:43:41Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > But you defeat the purpose if you allow them support in other ways. They don’t come here for social services. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/63 "2012-09-02T13:52:33Z")
I think Graham is probably not going to win over any angry white guys; listen to him speak, and then there’s this: > [@](#): > > Graham has never been married and, when questioned by Robert Draper of the New York Times, said, “I know it’s really going to upset a lot of gay men—I’m sure hundreds of them are going to be jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge—but I ain’t available; I ain’t gay. Sorry.” From his Wikepedia page.:rolleyes: I’d lay even money that he’s one public restroom encounter/talkative rent boy away from being the next GOP outing victim. Not that I give a single poop if he’s gay or not. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/64 "2012-09-02T13:55:34Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Granted, it’s better than Republicans have done, but Republican Presidents since Eisenhower have been generally lax on enforcement as well and we’re talking about a really low bar here. So, Republicans have had the mainstream opinion on immigration, but they’re also too soft on immigration? Which is it? For the record, Reagan supported free movement of labour (a crucial feature of capitalism) from Mexico to the US. Clinton supported NAFTA, which meant subsidised US rice crossed the border into Mexico, meaning Mexican rice farmers went out of work. He simultaneously increased border controls by 35% and implemented many innovations in immigrant detection. So it seems the mainstream position on immigration is loathing of competition and support for market protectionism. Aren’t we glad both parties can compromise on such a crucial issue? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/65 "2012-09-02T16:07:22Z")
We’re talking about the perception Hispanics have of the parties. For whatever reason, they believe Democrats are more friendly to immigration than Republicans. Despite Obama’s actual record. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/66 "2012-09-02T17:57:11Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > We’re talking about the perception Hispanics have of the parties. For whatever reason, they believe Democrats are more friendly to immigration than Republicans. Despite Obama’s actual record. Probably because the republicans treat them _all_ as criminals, while the dems only go after the illegal aliens. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/67 "2012-09-02T21:01:56Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > For whatever reason, they believe Democrats are more friendly to immigration than Republicans. Despite Obama’s actual record. “For whatever reason”, you say? Do you really have no fucking idea why that might be? Are you suggesting that such a view on the part of those simple little people could not be the result of anything Republican leaders have said or done, that they simply don’t know any better? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/68 "2012-09-02T21:30:53Z")
Once someone’s decided that illegals are lazy _and_ are taking jobs from hard-working Americans, they’ve clearly entered the zen state of doublethink and no further discussion is worthwhile. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/69 "2012-09-03T03:10:02Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > Probably because the republicans treat them _all_ as criminals, while the dems only go after the illegal aliens. I’ve never heard of a successful law enforcement policy that DIDN’T treat everyone as a potential criminal. That’s how the TSA works, it’s how the IRS works. So again, Democrats don’t actually support enforcement. I assume you’re referring to the Arizona law. If so, that arose out of the fact that the Democrats don’t want to protect the border and that is endangering ARizona’s citizens. Again, a temporary condition, because soon we’ll either have a tough border policy or an explicit open borders policy. The current policy is incoherent and unsustainable. When we actually have a policy, it won’t be a hot button issue anymore and Hispanics will prioritize immigration issues lower. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/70 "2012-09-03T03:19:56Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > “For whatever reason”, you say? Do you really have no fucking idea why that might be? Are you suggesting that such a view on the part of those simple little people could not be the result of anything Republican leaders have said or done, that they simply don’t know any better? :rolleyes: No, I think they are entirely right to see Democrats are more immigration friendly. I was just responding to someone defending Obama’s record on enforcement. If Obama was actually so superior on enforcement, he’d alienate an important part of his base. Republicans were so poor at enforcement that all Obama had to do was do a little better, wink and nod at his base, and claim he’s been good. Just like he’s done on Medicare fraud, we’ve gone from catching 1% of it to maybe 5% and that’s some amazing accomplishment demonstrating seriousness on the issue. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/71 "2012-09-07T15:57:49Z")
Why in the world do you assume that Republicans are actually for the current law, if they refuse to enforce it? It’s just like abortion–they talk a good game to win the people who care, but they really don’t. If they did care, they would be trying to change the law for employment, because there is no way to enforce the issue otherwise that doesn’t fall afoul of due process. Well, other than everyone always being required to carry papers at all times, but no one wants that. Also, what the hell does all this have to do with the OP? The topic is race–and supposedly the illegal immigration question has nothing to do with race, right? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/72 "2012-09-08T01:14:00Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Well, other than everyone always being required to carry papers at all times, but no one wants that. Um, actually, immigrants are required to carry papers at all times. That’s why I get annoyed with Democrats. If they think that law is unjust, then shouldn’t they be urging it’s repeal? Of course not. Instead, they are urging that it not be enforced. A nonsensical position and one inimical to rule of law. Antonio Villagairosa summed up the Democrats’ problem with rule of law nicely at the convention. He complained that Mitt Romney would cause illegals to self-deport. That’s a rather odd complaint, calling a President getting people to voluntarily obey the law a bad thing. He also talked about a path to legalization. If we’re just going to legalize every illegal immigrant, why not legalize them from the start? I’m glad you brought up abortion, because the GOP has a similar problem with abortion. They want abortion made illegal. Okay, fine, how do you enforce it? Turns out they don’t know and probably wouldn’t be willing to throw women or even doctors in jail. Just revoke their license. Oh wow, that’s effective. Passing laws you aren’t willing to enforce is a great way to undermine rule of law. It’s a mark of unseriousness about a policy. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/73 "2012-09-08T01:53:19Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Um, actually, immigrants are required to carry papers at all times. The Arizona law has a huge loophole though. All an illegal immigrant has to do when asked for his immigration papers is say, “I am a US citizen,” and that ends the inquiry. US citizens are not required to carry papers, and the law does not require US citizens to prove their citizenship. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/74 "2012-09-08T03:26:30Z")
That’s true. A very poorly thought out law. In addition, during a traffic stop, a simple request to see DL and insurance will usually uncover an illegal immigrant. Not many have DLs. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/75 "2012-09-08T04:14:54Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Then again, you need to advocate for a law change. Republicans support current law and support enforcement of current law. Democrats hate the law, yet don’t have the guts to change the law. > > Under current law, hiring illegal immigrants is a misdemeanor and the fines are paltry. > > And again, focusing on employment is exactly the wrong thing to do. It tells illegals that they are free to stay, just so long as they don’t better themselves in the process. THey are however free to use taxpayer resources and get education benefits, which they are then not allowed to use their skills here. Great plan, educate them and then tell them they can’t work. > > Democrats currently hold the Hispanic vote because of BS pandering like that. If anything, they don’t want to fix the immigration system because that would resolve the issue. Racist bullshit. Hispanics tend to vote democratic more than non-hispanic whites because Hispanics are generally poorer than non-hispanic whites and the Democrats have done a good job of making it clear they care more about the poor than the Republicans have done. That said, keep up the racist arguments. If you paid attention, you’d notice that upper-middle class and wealthy Hispanics tend to vote Republican, but people who express opinions that you do will push those Hispanics towards the Democratic party. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277/76 "2012-09-08T04:16:38Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > How do you generate angry white guys? Raise them in cages? Show them pictures of black men and white women hanging out together socially. That drives them nuts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-lindsey-o-graham-s-c-we-re-not-generating-enough-angry-white-guys/633277.md?page=3)