Republican talking heads like Pat Buchanan and Newt Gingrich stooped to a vulgar low this week when they took to the television news shows about immigration.

Their message: Mexicans are dirty, diseased people who are prone to rape, steal and wreak havoc. Our characterization may sound a bit over-the-top, but sadly that is what they said.

These two dinosaurs of the Republican Party are doing exactly what President Bush has warned people engaging in this debate not to do: stoop to scare tactics to win support.

It is ironic to hear the president warn against scare tactics, given his administration&8217;s propensity for them when discussing other domestic (i.e. Social Security) and foreign (i.e. the war) policies.

But, he is right. Scare tactics are wrong and, in this case, despicable. They have no place in this debate.