http://www.pittsburghlive.com

A push to draft Buchanan

By Dimitri Vassilaros
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, September 25, 2006


Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., is a key behind-the-scenes player in the Draft Buchanan 2008 presidential campaign.

It's unlikely Mr. Specter is aware of his role. But as Americans concerned about illegal immigration continually see Specter stonewalling efforts to defend the border with Mexico, Mr. Buchanan could look like the ideal Republican Party nominee.

At least that is Paul Streitz's game plan.

Mr. Streitz, an immigration activist who ran for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Connecticut in 2004 and 2006, is a one-man band hoping America jumps on the Buchanan bandwagon. And yet Streitz has not spoken with his candidate to see if he's even interested in being the Republican presidential nominee, or even if Buchanan is a registered Republican.

"I started this independent of him to show there is a movement," he says. "He knows of the campaign but it was not started by him. His people said he was reluctant to run. But let's make him consider it. It's like the army. It doesn't ask if you want to be drafted."

Buchanan's new book ("State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America") clearly articulates the problem and sparked the campaign, Streitz says. "The book says a nation is not just a place. It's a group with homogeneity about interests and ideals."

A different group would radically change the nation, he says. "People are not thinking of that."

The Mexican invasion could make America look more like Mexico regarding principles, style of government, economies and education. "It's a vast transformation of society," Streitz says, adding that low-income people, in direct competition with the endless stream of low-wage foreign workers, are most likely to be hurt.

Meanwhile, Mr. Specter is doing all he can for Streitz.

"I don't see how we can deal with the immigration issue on a piecemeal basis," says Specter, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in published reports. There would be no motivation for the House to negotiate on the issue "if we take care of all of their priorities and none of the Senate's," Specter says.

The House wants to defend America's defenseless border. The Senate wants to grant virtual amnesty to every illegal and do nothing to stop new ones from pouring into this republic.

Specter claims his concern about so-called "piecemeal" solutions is why he favors what President George W. Bush has blathered on about for so long -- a so-called comprehensive solution (pronounced "amnesty"). It's a nice, tidy way to tie up loose ends, sort of like a magic bullet that will be the answer for everything for everyone who'd rather not think.

Streitz started the draft Buchanan movement a few days ago. The Web site -- draftbuchanan2008.com -- has attracted about 150 people willing to volunteer and about $1,000 in donations, Streitz says.

Streitz thinks a lot about -- but not much of -- the three candidates who could be the GOP's presidential nominee. U.S. Sen. John McCain, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich all are illegal immigrant-friendly.

"I am very optimistic Buchanan will run. He realizes his time has come," says Streitz, referring to Buchanan's positions opposing open borders and military intervention in the Middle East. "What was radical 10 years ago is part of mainstream America today."

Dimitri Vassilaros is a Trib editorial page columnist. His column appears Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. Call him at 412-380-5637. E-mail him at dvassilaros@tribweb.com.