That's certainly what you guys---including the White House staff---believe. But maybe you haven't noticed the impact illegal immigration is having in states like Georgia, North Carolina, Iowa, which could be critical to Bush winning.
It is a single issue concern of a few states only and we all know that it is a problem with security as well.
You're doggone right it's an issue in my home state of California---it was Ann Coulter's immediate reaction to the amnesty proposal (call it what you want, partner---it's an amnesty) that "Bush has written off California," even though the Golden State was put in play for 2004 thanks to the recall. It's an issue in other border states critical to a Bush re-election, like Arizona, where they have an initiative now like our Prop. 187, which the Bush White House is busy trying to squelch. And it's an issue in Florida---remember Florida? Bush may be willing to write off California, but Florida?
No more so than in 2000.
What the states want is federal money to defer costs incurred.
That is all that I have read of late in the major media despite people like O'rielly beating the troops on the border drum.
Perhaps it will come to the front later on, but money seems to be all they are concerned about. (as far as election issues go)