Mickey Kaus at Kausfiles says John McCain's immigration reform plan is costing him support among Hispanic Republicans, while Fred Thompson is gaining support among the same group by opposing the plan.
Kaus:
McCain supports legalization of illegal immigrants, loses 5 points over the month among Hispanic Republicans in California, according to SurveyUSA. Fred Thompson blasts the legalization bill from the right and his support among Hispanics quintuples, putting him ahead of McCain (and Giuliani) among Hispanics. ... P.S.: These are Hispanic Republicans, of course. But they are not insignificant, making up 17% of "likely Republican Primary voters" in Survey USA's model. ... P.P.S.: McCain's loss (and Thompson's gain) was actually greater among Hispanics than among GOP voters generally. ...
I'm guessing Hispanic Republicans are like Republicans generally - they support the rule of law and oppose amnesticizing 12 million lawbreakers regardless of their skin color.
For another Senator's view of the immigration reform, see this post regarding my interview Monday with Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tennessee.
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McCain sees the bigger picture and is taking into account the alternative...the mass deportation of immigrants and the loss of workers from American businesses. Also, there are more Hispanic independents and democrats to sway than Hispanic republicans.
The smart money is on immigration reform that strikes a balance.
Posted by: Claire Celsi | June 5, 2007 2:16 PM | Permalink to Comment