If the Republicans can take a vote away from the Dems to replace yours, they still gain...as long as you (evil anti-immigration pro-life extremist that you are) don't vote or vote for a party that isn't trying to win.
In Massachusetts for Governor this time we had Shannon O'Brien (D) saying 16 year olds didn't need parental permission for an abortion. We had "conservative" Mitt Romney (R) saying that he would of course support abortion rights, but only for those 18 or older.
I voted Green. If I didn't have an option to save baby's lives, I figured I'd at least vote to save trees and walruses or whatever.
This immigration thing...it must be a ratings winner. All of the talk folk are beginning to sound like anti-illegal, secure border freepers. Keep emailing them and praising any show they do that highlights the issue.
There's been a distinct increase in the talk-traffic about this issue within the last month. The transition was almost overnight. Like you said, someone got a serious eyeful of a ratings winner.