It DID strike a nerve, one who should have known better to not touch. With over 80% of Americans pretty much pissed about illegals, that remark made his entire record as Governor of a border state a free for all.
That is where you are wrong. It may be 80% of the far right base that has fallen for the propaganda of a eugenics supporting, zero population growth, white nationalist progressive. It’s not however, the most important issue for the vast majority of citizens. It’s the economy and jobs that will be the most important thing during the next election.
Do some damn research on the people behind those anti-immigration groups to get a real clue how they have done a great job of taking over the Tea Party. When I did after getting suspicious of the timing of that CIS jobs report I was sick and disgusted at what I learned. I will not be a part of that evil.