Immigration issue expected to resurface when debates start

The Dallas Morning News ^ | 14 Sep 2008 | TODD J. GILLMAN

[BGHater]

Immigration reform was once Sen. John McCain's signature issue – and a key ingredient in his maverick image. Democrats have largely avoided the subject, but there are signs they'll be using the issue this fall to challenge the Republican presidential nominee's maverick claim.

"Everybody's so scared to touch the subject, because in certain areas it's detrimental to somebody's political future," said Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-San Antonio. "It's an issue that legitimately should be addressed."

Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of the electorate, and analysts predict turnout as high as 9 million, up from the 2004 record of 7.6 million. Their clout will be most felt in battlegrounds like Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Florida.

Last week, Democratic pollster Sergio Bendixen released data showing that in all those states but Florida, Sen. Barack Obama holds a strong lead among Hispanic voters, and immigration is a key reason.

Mr. Bendixen predicted that "when the debates start, there will be a lot of discussion." The first debate is less than two weeks away, on Sept. 26 at the University of Mississippi.

Much of the public supports comprehensive reform – beefed-up border security, combined with a new guest worker program and some form of legal status for most of the 12 million illegal immigrants already in this country. But opponents feel very strongly, and Mr. Obama would prefer not to stir them up.

Mr. McCain was once the Senate's top champion of comprehensive reform, despite fierce resistance within his own party. But the push for a deal fell apart last year, and to survive the GOP primaries, he adopted the hard-liners' view that border security and enforcement must come first. He even declared that he would now vote against his own bill.

[BGHater]

'It was a rare moment in a campaign that has focused largely on the economy, energy policy and national security, though Mr. McCain, too, put a spotlight on immigration when he released an ad Friday aimed at Latinos. In the ad, aired on the Alma Awards, the National Council of La Raza's answer to the Emmys, he promised that "addressing the immigration problem will be a priority" if he wins.

He promised "practical and fair" solutions but made no mention of security, amnesty or the other sticky details.'

[Resolute Conservative]

Strong lead because they also want government entitlements for their family members “immigrating” into the US.

Why any immigrant here legally would want to give away what they earned is beside me?

[org.whodat]

he adopted the hard-liners' view that border security and enforcement must come first.

Sure, that's why insane was running ads in Mexican saying reform was dead because of the democrats. Insane has not changed one bit on his open borders position.

[Grunthor]

Wouldn’t Mccain and Obama rather debate issues that they DISagree on?

[Prole]

This could get really ugly.

We all know that Obama is a "citizen of the world" and has no respect for law and order.

But, McCain could anger Conservatives with his amnesty talk.

This is certainly not something I am looking forward to hearing about.

[mosquewatch]

Immigration issue expected to resurface...

Either I've missed this issue being spoke about by both Candidates, or it hasn't been talked about much in the first place.

[Sybeck1]

The lesser of two evils will get his amnesty.....

[BGHater]

The problem isn't Obama on Immigration. You know what he offers, it's the usual Dem spreadsheet.

The unknown is McCain, you have no clue.

In the debates is McCain gonna out pander the Obama for the Hispanic vote while trying to keep the Conservatives in his corner? He has Gov. Palin there so he can pander while preventing the Conservatives from staying home. IMHO.

[luckystarmom]

McCain was talking about immigration on Fox this morning. It was some townhall meeting in Florida.

I was so mad after watching him that I’m thinking about not voting for him again.

He’s just like Bush when it comes to illegal immigration. He wants a workers program, etc. Said he stood against the republicans when it comes to immigration.

It was just awful!

[goldfinch]

When it comes to the immigration issue, the best bet for conservatives is to work hard to elect Republican Senators and Representative. Obama and McCain both favor some form of amnesty. Palin come from a thinly populated state that relies on the Alaska winter to discourage illegal aliens from putting down roots.

Immigration is an important issue and one that divides Republicans. You can bet that it will come up in all the debates because the MSM sees it as an issue that will keep Republican from voting for McCain. That would be a huge mistake...one I hope conservatives will be too savvy to fall for.

[Prole]

I am going to hold my nose and vote for McCain.

But that doesn't mean I won't protest and communicate to him my OUTRAGE if he tries any amnesty stuff.

Obama, as "citizen of the world," has ZERO interest in maintaining federal immigration laws in America.

[Texas4ever]

They are pretty much the same, but you are right....Obama will step in it because he will start speaking Spanish and say everyone should learn Spanish, I had an Uncle who was Spanish, in fact my daughters middle name is
Mahila Tequila Obama!!!!
Uh Uh ya! Viva Mexico!!! So McCain will be fine!

[luckystarmom]

Every time I think I can vote for McCain, he pulls something that I cannot stand.

[BGHater]

How is McCain gonna get any support for any legislation after he tries pushing Amnesty?

Is he gonna be a lame duck the entire time in office?

[Texas4ever]

They all are....Sarah will change it!

I heard Sarah speaks two languages...Do you know what they are?

[Texas4ever]

They all are....Sarah will change it!

I heard Sarah speaks two languages...Do you know what they are?

[rangeryder]

Illegal immigrants likely play a significant role in the banking/lending crisis. Banks will give home loans to anyone who has the down payment and a driver's license. Then they sell these "secure, collateral backed" mortgages to whatever dupes will buy them. Just a couple years ago our local talk radio guy, Howie Carr, was discussing this issue. Several, (anonyous, of course), bankers called him to throw in their two cents about illegals and loans, and they all pretty much said the same thing, that the lending rules were extremely lax.

Perhaps this is why our duplicitous leaders have been working so hard to keep these illegals working in America, they know very well that if we begin deporting them, (en masse), it will have a huge, negative effect on the already troubled lending institutions. As always, it's a case of "follow the money". Our great nation is committing suicide on so many levels now it's just depressing to think about.

[Texas4ever]

They all are....Sarah will change it!

I heard Sarah speaks two languages...Do you know what they are?

[Texas4ever]

They all are....Sarah will change it!

I heard Sarah speaks two languages...Do you know what they are?

[Cobra64]

This could get really ugly.

We all know that Obama is a "citizen of the world" and has no respect for law and order.

But, McCain could anger Conservatives with his amnesty talk.

This is certainly not something I am looking forward to hearing about.

You can say that again. McCain has come around on four of the five major issues on my hit parade. But he's been ducking amnesty for quite a while.

How can anyone even consider granting amnesty to illegal aliens who come to this country to kill, rob, rape, murder Americans, drain our resources, destroy our infrastructure and destroy our national heritage and American sovereignty?