Immigration Dance

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/john-mccain-questioned-about-immigration-in-arizona-townhall

This is the key dynamic.  For all his anger and repressed rage, McCain still is smart enough to see that immigration reform is essential for his party's future in Arizona, Nevada, Texas and maybe Georgia.

But the angry old cranks who turn up at Town Halls and yell at Senators are not interested in the long term health of the Republican party or even the merits of a comprehensive immigration bill.

They are scared.  Scared of what Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh and the lesser bile spewing demon spawn of the Right Wing Wurlitzer have been whispering in their ears for years.  "Mexican drug cartels are killing Americans in their sleep."  "Fast and furious..."  "Aztlan"

And so McCain - who could be fashioning a piece of legislation that will be his legacy since McCain Feingold got eviscerated by Scalito and Company - is instead going to have to spend his time warding off the crazy in his own party.

There have been a lot of stories written about what the GOP needs to do in order win national elections again.

The first thing they have to do is wean themselves off the crazy.  But the crazy has been their bread and butter ever since Bubba Clinton got into the White House.  The crazy is what keeps them warm.

How can the GOP become not-crazy and still remain the GOP?