At these costs.(Letters)

Richard Nadler's piece "At What Cost?" (February 23) states that "attempts to remove illegals have diminished the conservative movement." The piece reflects the false choice often presented to Republicans: Support amnesty or offend Hispanic voters.

On NATIONAL REVIEW ONLINE I have presented data showing that support for amnesty is not a guarantor of GOP appeal to Hispanics, and that opposition is not a deal-breaker for them. But there is something more fundamental than the data to address: the suggestion that we should sacrifice values in order to pander to a particular group of potential voters. If we approach the Hispanic vote in this manner, which values will Nadler suggest we relinquish next, and for the purpose of attracting which group?

Republicans can successfully appeal to Hispanics--both native-born and legal immigrants--by focusing on the fundamental values of patriotism, rule of law, freedom, family, support for small businesses and jobs, and education. It's what Bush did in 2004, when he received 40 percent of the Hispanic vote. His Spanish-language ads focused on values and small-business issues, not immigration. Hispanic outreach based on these and other conservative values and American ideals will bind us instead of divide us and strengthen the GOP by attracting Hispanic support.

Another premise of Nadler's piece--that Republicans advocate mass deportation--is also false. The truth is that ...