Free Republic

*** Clinton knows there is no way to police the voting fraud certain to occur. Why not give keys to cockpit doors and directions to every skyscraper in the country while they are at it? NAMES REDACTED East Williston **** ........ the fact they are illegally here.... seems to mean nothing to pandering candidates and NY's governor. Miller Place **** Her answer to Tim Russert...... "Everybody plays gotcha," reminds me of her slickster husband's reply at impeachment proceedings. Great Neck **** The only person who has no opinion is one of the most opinionated candidates ever to hit the political...

Oh, what a dilemma for Sen. Clinton. On the one hand are polls showing that even a majority of local Democrats - not to mention an overwhelming 72% of all New Yorkers - are dead-set against Gov. Spitzer's plan to hand out driver's licenses to illegal aliens. On the other hand are all those Democratic special-interest groups she needs to court - the hard left, immigration activists, Hispanics - who think illegals are entitled to regular licenses, with no restrictions whatsoever.

A haunting problem for Clinton....illegal-immigrant coddling plans such as Gov. Spitzer's - no matter how they're dressed up in the guise of enhancing security - enrage a huge majority of Americans, especially widely-courted independent voters.........a Republican strategist chortled. "This is an 80-20 issue for us and they're walking right into it." That would be "80-20," as in 80% of Americans oppose it, 20% support it......rare gems in politics. "The vast majority of Americans are against this - especially among likely voters. She's clearly out of touch," said GOP pollster John McLaughlin, who has surveyed extensively on the issue.

.........the most damage (in the debate) was inflicted by Clinton on herself. She tied herself up in knots - in a way her opponents couldn't - with her non-answer about giving driver's license to illegal aliens. She must be the only New Yorker without an opinion on the plan (other than her colleague, Sen. Chuck Schumer). Her evasiveness on the most talked-about issue in the state reminded everyone of the worst of husband Bill and what could be in store if another Clinton makes it to the White House.

Immigration advocates were feeling betrayed by Gov. Spitzer......he backed off his plan to provide driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. They gathered outside his East Side office and vilified him for a 3-tier system that would leave illegals at the bottom of three options.....Spitzer announced the entire program was being delayed indefinitely - perhaps for as long as a year..............

Gov. Spitzer announced an indefinite delay in his heavily criticized plan to grant driver's licenses to illegals in order to develop a 3-tiered licensing system that the federal government accepts. Spitzer said the wait will bring New Yorkers "the most secure licensing system in the nation" - although Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff still strongly opposes giving ID to illegal aliens. "...I do not think it's a good idea to give undocumented workers licenses or ID of any kind," said Chertoff, who appeared with Spitzer at the Washington news conference.

State election officials are worried that Gov. Spitzer's plan to allow illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses will make it difficult for them to catch people voting illegally........local boards of election determine who is eligible to vote; it is rare that election officials check into legal status, particularly if with identifying information on voter-registration form like a driver's license or the last four digits of a Social Security number......In order to register, a person must sign an affidavit stating that they are an American citizen.

Democrats fear Gov. Spitzer's controversial plan to grant driver's licenses to illegal aliens has endangered Democrat candidates across the state - even the presidential prospects of Hillary Clinton........ and is producing "a mass exodus" away from Democrat candidates that may lead to unexpected losses in November's local elections.

Quiet policy twist criticized on security grounds Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, noncitizens who legally obtained New York State driver’s licenses have been given licenses stamped “temporary visitor” along with the date their visa expired. No longer. The Spitzer administration three weeks ago quietly eliminated the state policy that required the special identification stamp on the driver’s licenses for noncitizens who are legally, though temporarily, residing in the United States. The policy change also eliminated the accompanying expiration date that was intended to show when the person’s legal right to be in the United States ended —...

Frustrated by a legislative session that left many key issues hanging, Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Tuesday that he could govern without lawmakers. Downplaying the importance of passing laws, the freshman governor said he favored regulatory changes and executive orders to run the state -- neither of which require prior approval by the legislature. The Democratic governor repeated his criticism of a decision by the Senate's Republican majority to go home June 21, the official end of the six-month session, though many bills remain to be considered.