Free Republic

SACRAMENTO When Maria Elena Hernandez left Honduras for California, she didn't speak English, didn't have work papers, and her fear of being caught by Immigration tied her stomach in knots. Eight months later, she was marching up the steps of the Capitol to ask some of the state's top elected officials for better working conditions. Energized by the recent marches for immigration reform and supported by growing participation in a network of civic organizations, immigrants are increasingly emerging as actors in America's civic and political life. "It makes me feel like this is my country, like I don't have to...

Facing the most difficult political environment since they took control of Congress in 1994, Republicans begin the final two months of the midterm campaign in growing danger of losing the House while fighting to preserve at best a slim majority in the Senate, according to strategists and officials in both parties. Over the summer, the political battlefield has expanded well beyond the roughly 20 GOP House seats originally thought to be vulnerable. Now some Republicans concede there may be almost twice as many districts from which Democrats could wrest the 15 additional seats they need to take control. President Bush's...