The Speech Bush Will Never Make

President Bush's public approval ratings are at an all-time low. It's difficult to imagine how he could improve them dramatically with just about 18 months left in office.

But I do believe there is one speech he could make that would instantly increase his popularity by 50 percent to 100 percent. It's a speech he will never give. Here is a rough draft of the text:

"My fellow Americans, I come before you today to admit a mistake and correct our course.

"I have made my case for comprehensive immigration reform as the proper way to address concerns over our border and the presence in our country of millions of undocumented workers.

"But I have failed to persuade the people of my convictions on this issue.

"Because America is a nation of immigrants, I believed — and still believe — that we can continue to absorb and assimilate millions of good, honest, decent, hard-working foreigners into our country.

"As I have said many times, I do not believe family values stop at the Rio Grande.

"In my opinion, the immigration course my administration has attempted to chart — one that would identify millions of undocumented workers already in this country and give them a pathway to citizenship — was the right one.

"But there comes a time in responsible leadership when you must recognize you are out of step with the people. America is a sovereign nation governed by the rule of law and the will of the people.

"While I have done my best to convince the American people to my way of thinking, it is time to admit that is not going to happen during my tenure in the White House.

"Therefore, I am making this public announcement, for the benefit of members of Congress and in the interest of unifying our divided country: I have heard you speak, America.

While I may disagree, while I may wish you were saying something else, while I would prefer you had heard me, I will honor your will on the issue of immigration and border security.

"The American people have spoken. What you have said is clear. You demand the federal government first secure our border and vigorously enforce immigration laws already on the books.

"Today I am issuing an executive order instructing all departments of the executive branch to do just that.

"Real border security will be our highest priority. And real enforcement of existing immigration laws will begin today — without excuses and without fail.

"There's one more thing I would like to add.

"I want to apologize for flouting the will of the American people for so long. I want to apologize for my arrogance in pushing my own personal opinion for so long and so hard without listening to yours. I want to apologize for failing to do my duty as president in enforcing immigration laws.

"I will not be with you as president for much longer. In January 2009, I will hand over the reins of power to a successor. When I do, I intend to leave office with a clear conscience and the knowledge that I upheld my oath of office, followed the rule of law and attempted to adhere to the will of the people.

"I made mistakes, but I hope the American people will be forgiving and understand that I always earnestly sought to do what I believed was right."

To find out more about Joseph Farah, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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