Unintended Consequences of Immigration Raids

It turns out that Somali immigrants are replacing the Mexicans and Guatemalans who were shipped back to their home nations during a raid at a Postville, Iowa meatpacking plant. I have wonder how this will turn out, given that the rancor directed at migrant labor in America has virtually nothing to do with their illegal status and almost everything to do with race. You Iowans didn't like Mexicans? Let's see how you like Africans then! This story doesn't address this issue except to quote the mayor that the workers are blending in fine. But I'd really like to hear from the local residents about their once all-white town now having a large number of black people.

Huckabee Dominant

According to a new poll of Iowa voters, Mike Huckabee has 39% of the vote. Second place is Mitt Romney at 17%. Third is Fred Thompson at 10%.

This is a remarkable turnaround, although I am not particularly surprised. It has seemed to me for a long time that either Huckabee or Sam Brownback would rise to the top sometime before the Iowa Caucuses as the only candidates acceptable to the Christians.

Also, Giuliani is dead and gone. He might have lots of money but if you can't finish higher than 4th in Iowa, you can forget about the nomination. I'm weeping some serious crocodile tears over this. Maybe he can come back if he wins New Hampshire, but that sure seems like Romney country. And a Huckabee win in Iowa will give him the name recognition he needs to raise big bucks fast, especially if he can finish in the top 2 in New Hampshire.

The best part is that Huckabee is completely unelectable in a general election. A total lunatic who even much of the Republican power structure can't stand. A lot can change in the next 11 months, but 2008 could turn out to be a real treat.

Historical Image of the Day

Diaz Family, Fort Madison, Iowa. Early 20th century