Out of Step on Immigration
by Ryan Sager
Wed, 2 May 2007 at 12:04 PM
updated Wed, 2 May 2007 at 12:09 PM
Today, our Russell Berman notes the moderate stance Rudy Giuliani is staking out on immigration. While he's talking up border enforcement and security, he's thoroughly in the "comprehensive" reform camp, which would combine any increase in border security with a "path to citizenship" for illegal immigrants already here.
Over at the Politico, Jonathan Martin notes, in the wake of yesterday's immigration marches, that this actually puts all three Republican frontrunners on the "comprehensive" side of the immigration issue — and, presumably, on the opposite side from much of the Republican base.
This really isn't much of a surprise. While the anti-immigration folks scream the loudest (see: Dobbs, Lou), immigration is an absolute non-issue in presidential elections, and even in most congressional elections. That's because immigration splits both parties, and even within each party, it's not actually a voting issue, despite all the sound and the fury.
If there were a significant constituency prepared to vote just on immigration, Tom Tancredo would actually register in the polls. He doesn't.
Still, expect some fireworks on the issue at tomorrow night's debate. Mr. Tancredo will probably be the Republicans' Mike Gravel, so it should at least be fun to watch.
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