Frank Rich: If Bush "Doesn't Lead [On Immigration],

He Will Have Helped Relegate Hispanics To The Same Second-Class Status He Has Encouraged For Gay Americans"...

New York Times Frank Rich Posted June 11, 2006 02:31 PM
READ MORE: 2006, George W. Bush, New York Times

Mr. Bush is a lame duck, but he still has a bully pulpit. Here is a cause he has professed to believe in since he first ran for office in Texas, and it's threatening to boil over in an election year. Imagine if he exercised leadership and called out those who trash immigrants rather than merely mouthing homilies about tolerance and dignity.

Tolerance and dignity are already on life-support in this debate. If the president doesn't lead, he will have helped relegate Hispanics to the same second-class status he has encouraged for gay Americans. Compassionate conservatism, R.I.P.

Read the excerpt here.