“Wedge Issue” to keep the division because what else does the MAGA/GOP have to run on? Anyone ever hear these people talk about policies to help Americans or do we hear them constantly complain/blame after they’ve obstructed the solution?
“Millions of people now are being affected by the performative nature of the politics going on here.
INSKEEP: Again, in practical terms, what 19 Republican states are saying - Republican-led states are saying is we do not want asylum-seekers to receive a hearing. We want them to be thrown out. In practical terms, that's what they're saying. But what do they really want? What are they seeking here?
MADRID: They really want the issue to remain. They really want to keep the border issue as it is because it serves them politically. And that's not to suggest that there isn't partisan politics going on on both sides of this, but it's clearly much more enhanced on the Republican side. If this issue goes away - if this issue is resolved, the Republicans lose essentially one of the great motivators they have for their base. And that really has been one of the driving problems since the early 2000s on trying to get a deal done on immigration reform.
And so the visuals - the constant visuals of caravans coming from Central America; encampments now, when there are border surges, with people living, you know, in tents on the border, waiting for their asylum claims; flying people to Martha's Vineyard from other states - this is all part of the theater that, unfortunately, is not only affecting people's lives, but it's being used to demonstrate - quote-unquote, "demonstrate" this border crisis, forcing the hands - in their view, forcing the hands of Democrats to increase border security, which, of course, the likelihood of that happening without a comprehensive deal is de minimis. And that, they believe - Republicans believe enhances their positions politically.”
