Opinion: Independents ticked off about immigration

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The New Republic mentions a recent study of those coveted independent voters. What’s their top concern for the country? Immigration.

Democracy Corps. asked about a thousand likely voters why the country is going in the wrong direction. Forty-one percent responded that it’s because ‘our borders have been left unprotected and illegal immigration is growing.’

The New Republic says that commentators think this is problematic for Democrats; but it could be just as bad for Republicans. After all, it’s the Republican president who has sought immigration reform -- including a controversial guest-worker program and legalization -- since early in his tenure. And at least a few candidates have to justify their liberal past positions on illegal immigration. Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani took a practical approach when he was in charge of the city. He noted in one presidential debate, regarding protecting illegal immigrants from scrutiny by local law enforcement, ‘If you are an illegal immigrant in New York City, and a crime is committed against you, I want you to report that, because . . . the next time a crime is committed, it could be against a citizen or a legal immigrant.’ Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney reportedly employed illegal immigrants, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee wanted to make it easier for them to go to college. (And there’s been some infighting between those three lately.)

Well, at least some candidates have always been consistent on immigration, regardless of their love of tacos. And at least some voters don’t seem to worry much about the subject at all.