Excellent piece.
This latest freep poll is fascinating:
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/poll?poll=102;results=2
It seems to me that the non-members are further to the left than the members, based on previous polls. And the non-members are far more in favor of drastic action on the border than the members.
This appears to me to be a major gateway issue. People on the left are much more inclined to jump parties over this issue if the right embraces it. Hellery, IMHO, is playing defense trying to make this her issue. It helps prevent party-jumping from the softer side of the left, which is not as hardcore about it's traditional issues as the right. The soft left is a large chunk of the rat voters.
But IMHO, someone of Hayworth stature could mop the floor with her [if he jumps in early enough to generate internet support the way Dean did], because of her husband's record on immigration AND campaign promises, not to mention her own credibility problem regarding White House furniture, her brother's sale of a pardon for a crack dealer, etc. Even Tancredo [holding nose] might stand a good chance against her.