The Wall Street Journal and other major media have been reporting on what had been secret bipartisan negotiations between the White House and Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate on a immigration reform. The WSJ reports...
Both sides have an interest in addressing the topic, which polls show is among Americans' top concerns. It's also a top issue for Hispanic voters, a fast-growing segment of the electorate that is being hotly contested by the two parties.
"The politics are pointing to action. What's difficult is that squaring the circle on the policy differences between the two parties is hard," said Frank Sharry, the executive director of the National Immigration Forum.
"Politically it makes sense for the key players to get it done this year, and before the next election season kicks in," Mr. Sharry said.
Still, the negotiations have proceeded in fits and starts, with key players agreeing on broad principles but not always specifics, and both parties' core constituencies becoming increasingly nervous that their leaders will compromise too much on an emotional and highly complicated issue.
The urge to reach a bipartisan agreement is fueled by the public's interest in the issue, and the pressure is on to get a deal done before the election season is in full swing and makes such bipartisan efforts difficult if not impossible. And, so, a deal is likely.
But will it put the issue to rest?
Somehow, I doubt it. Compromises don't satisfy hardliners. I'll predict the compromise agreement, if it passes, will do little to reduce the profile of illegal immigration as a political issue in the 2008 election cycle.
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