Democrats Divided On Politics Of Immigration Lawsuit
Democratic operatives are sharply divided on the political fallout from the intervention by Department of Justice lawsuit against the controversial Arizona immigration law, according to this week's National Journal Political Insiders Poll.
When the Political Insiders were asked, "on balance" whether they thought "the Justice Department's legal challenge to Arizona's immigration law helps or hurts your party in the midterm elections," 49 percent of the 103 Democratic Insiders who responded to the survey said it would party on Nov. 2. At the same time, 42 percent said it would help the party and another 10 percent volunteered equivocal responses, saying it would both help and hurt, wouldn't have an impact, or would be a neutral factor in the elections.
Conversely, of the 97 GOP Insiders who responded this week, an overwhelming 94 percent said that it would help their party. A tiny four percent said the issue would hurt and two percent gave equivocal responses.
The arguments that Democratic Insiders generally made in favor of the DOJ challenge is that it would it would help motivate Hispanics, an important part of the Democratic base, to go the polls in November and that Republicans were likely to alienate Hispanics by defending the Arizona statute.
Several Democrats who felt the DOJ move would likely hurt the party said that it only highlighted a wedge issue that the White House and Congressional Democrats had failed to fix and it was a distraction from more the paramount issue this year, the economy.
But some Democrats who said that issue would be a negative in the midterms also agreed that the challenge to the law would pay long-term benefits. "Short term, it hurts," said one Democratic Insider. "Long term it is another nail in the Republican's demographic coffin."
Republican Insiders said that the Justice Department action smacked of legal over-reach and would alienate independent and swing voters in districts where Democratic incumbents are already under siege. But even though they saw the issue as a plus for this November, a few GOP Insiders worried about how the immigration debate would play out down the road. As one GOP Insiders put it, "The longer Republicans stand behind a plan of "border security first," the further we move away from Hispanics."
For all the poll's results and comments from Insiders, click here.
The states created the federal government. The federal government DID NOT create the states.
I CANNOT understand what the Democrat Party does not understand about the "il" in illegal.
JES, it's easy to understand the Democratic Party's position. Since that party does not generally run very well among present American voters, the Democrats plan to tip the balance permanently in their favor by increasing the size of the reliably Democratic voting bloc, the Hispanics. Hence, the designation of the Democratics as the evil party. The Republican Party, under President George W. Bush for example, has gone along with this. It seems that the Republican motive is to keep American labor cheap even though this larger bloc of "spread the wealth" voters will lead to permanent minority status for the Republicans. Hence the designation of the Republicans as the stupid party. So, what will it be? Evil or stupid, when neither party will enforce the law?
The assumption here is that the Hispanic community will be grateful drones to the Democrat party. I assure you that as soon as they are taxpaying citizens they get very conservative. The Dems are in la la land. They treat their relationships with Hispanics, Blacks and any other group as they would children. This is their downfall.
The federal intervention into Arizona law is to protect LEGAL American citizens from abuse of their rights by government police. This is something the conservative right usually supports - protection of private citizens from state intrusion - but then again the conservatives are playing politics with everything these day regardless of what is right or wrong.
In respect to the long term: somewhat wishful thinking that demographics will nail the lid shut on the Republican's coffin. Latinos are not a monolithic block, and differ from African Americans in many social and economic ways. Further, the pursuit of identity politics may well push many white voters further right....especially in key states like OH, PA, and FL. The Republicans must reach to groups not normally in their camp (without the clumsy Michael Steele,)and explain why issues like immigration affect all Americans. They must recruit more latinos, and women and even blacks. In the short term, watch Marco Rubio...if he is sucessful, he may open the gate for other young non-whites to rise under the conservative banner.
Democ-rats are always looking for that magic bullet.
Remember the "youth vote" in 1972 that was supposed to vault McGovern to victory?
Remember the "gender gap" that was supposed to defeat Ronald Reagan?
Remember the "White Southern Baptist" strategy that was supposed to split the South. That one worked only once.
Remember the "Boston Austin" strategy of 1988?
Instead of looking for magic bullets when will the Democ-rats find policies that lead to growth and jobs for all who look for one. When will they learn what FDR's Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgenthau learned in 1938: that spending does not lead to job creation of unemployment reduction?
Gosh, I have to stop giving that scum good advice!
David S. Levine | August 7, 2010 12:08 AM
David its the Republicans (like you) who have not policies other than smear and fear attacks against the Democrats. Your tax cuts were in effect as the national debt doubled under Bush and the economy collapsed. They're still in effect - and look what a good job they've done in producing jobs!
Where are the Republican policies?
Paleta
The liberals/progressives have controlled congress for over 4 years. It is their policies that caused the economic melt down via morally corrupt and insane Fannie and Freddie lending policies forced on us by them. You libprogs never own up to your incompetence. Your only recourse is to blame Bush. Well the Republicans, Independents and us Conservative Libertarians are fed up with you and your ilk. We will show you in November just how little we think of your kind.
Jack Smith
Wisconsin
Jack Smith | August 7, 2010 9:10 AM
Amazing how the Republicans can't present any policies or approaches they would take - just name calling and smear attacks on the Democrats.
You continue this trend.
The liberals/progressives have controlled congress for over 4 years. It is their policies that caused the economic melt down via morally corrupt and insane Fannie and Freddie lending policies forced on us by them.
Jack Smith | August 7, 2010 9:10 AM
Think again Jack, about who chose to give taxpayers money to people who couldn't afford mortgages . . . live and learn.
Date: Monday, July 1 2002
President Bush announced an Administration effort to increase home ownership rates among African Americans and Hispanics by 5.5 million by 2010.
The plan would provide down payment assistance to 40,000 minority homebuyers each year . . . Bush's plan would be closely tied to some $440 million in minority loan programs offered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. President Bush commended Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's efforts . . .