Something virtually unprecedented has occurred in our country. Tea Party candidate David Brat defeated Eric Cantor, Republican House Majority Leader, for the party’s nomination in Virginia’s 7th district. For most of the campaign, Cantor appeared to be a shoe-in for the party nomination. He spent a great deal more money on his campaign and already held a position of power within the party. Some even referred to him as a speaker-in-waiting, as it seemed likely he would take John Boehner’s place in the future. Although there weren’t many polls taken during the campaign. one done by John McLaughlin showed him leading by a large margin.
This is the first time a Tea Party candidate defeated a moderate Republican incumbent in a major national race, and many are asking themselves what happened. Even in 2012, which was generally a better year for the Tea Party, Cantor beat the Tea Party candidate by almost a 60-point margin. In weeks leading up to the vote, Cantor seemed to be just as likely to win this year. However, Brat won and many are saying his victory can be explained with just one word – immigration. Brat spent little on his campaign compared to Cantor, but he did firmly establish himself as anti-immigration reform while Cantor was pro. Here are further details on Brat’s victory and the impact it could have on the country at large.
Immigration Reform
The most immediate or apparent effect Brat’s win has is on immigration. By voting for Brat over Cantor, Republicans are sending a clear message – they do not want immigration to be reformed. According to ProCon.org, there are currently more than 11 million illegal immigrants living in the United States, and immigration is one of the most controversial issues in our country. The conservative approach to immigration is that only those who legally immigrate to the United States should be allowed to become citizens. Those who come here illegally should face deportation, regardless of how long they’ve been here or where their family lives. This is more or less what the law is now.
However, many argue this law does not make sense, given that many illegal immigrants are brought to the United States as children. The pro-immigration reform argument is that it’s not only potentially unethical to force immigrants back to their impoverished or militant home countries, but it’s also impractical and incredibly expensive. With regards to immigration, you could say Brat’s victory symbolizes a shift towards more conservative immigration beliefs in the House. That makes it unlikely for immigration reform to occur any time in the immediate future.
Party Polarization
Brat’s victory also means the Republican Party in power could be becoming more conservative. Around the country, Tea Party affiliates are more hopeful about their election prospects. If someone as powerful as Eric Cantor could lose his seat, there’s no telling how many other representatives might be ousted by Tea Party-endorsed candidates. With the right moving further right, though, it could be harder for the two major parties in this country to find common ground in the future.
Budget and Progress
A more conservative House in theory isn’t a bad thing, but it would make it difficult for laws to be made and budgets to pass. Already the House of Representatives is in something of a stalemate with President Obama. If the House moves further right, even simple bills like ones creating subsidies for eco-friendly agricultural lime suppliers could be difficult to pass.
Last October’s government shutdown was bad enough – it cost the government billions of dollars not to mention the toll it took on the economy. It’s hard to imagine the government having a more difficult time balancing the budget, but that could very well be the case in the future.
How do you think having a more conservative Republican Party will affect the country? Will the polarization between the two parties become even greater?
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