Immigration Issue Dominates Congressional Races Amid Mixed Messages from President and Vice President

Strategic Insights -

Immigration has emerged as a pivotal issue in congressional races, with Republicans campaigning heavily on enforcement-first approaches and attacking Democrats for supporting citizenship for illegal aliens. However, President Bush and Vice President Cheney have shifted their focus to other issues, despite their past emphasis on comprehensive immigration reform. The disconnect has left Republicans struggling to articulate a cohesive message on the issue, while Democrats see an opportunity to capitalize on the disagreement.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Bush has stopped prioritizing immigration reform, citing other issues like national security and taxes as more pressing.
  • Vice President Cheney has also dropped immigration from his campaign stump speech, despite it being a key issue for Republicans.
  • Many Republicans in Congress prefer an enforcement-first approach, with key support for border fencing and stricter immigration laws.
  • Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) emphasized the importance of enforcement, pointing to the unanimous House vote for a provision making it illegal to tunnel under the border.
  • The National Republican Senatorial Committee has criticized some Democrats for their support of comprehensive immigration reform, which puts them at odds with President Bush.
  • Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) emphasize the need for Republicans to focus on immigration as a key issue in the campaign.
  • Polls show border security to be a highly popular issue, helping to win primaries in Arizona and a special congressional election in California.
  • Immigration appeals to Republican base voters, who are more concerned about illegal immigration than other issues, while Democrats and independents prioritize other issues.

Statistics:

  • 422-to-nothing House vote for the provision making it illegal to tunnel under the border (Rep. J.D. Hayworth)
  • 23 Republicans supported the Senate immigration bill that President Bush labeled a "good immigration bill"
  • 55% of respondents in a poll said limiting immigration is an important or very important issue (analysis not specified)
  • 71% of respondents in a poll said securing the border is a major priority (analysis not specified)

Sources:

  • The Washington Times
  • Scottsdale, Ariz. - July [not specified] (publication date not provided)
  • Dana Perino, White House deputy press secretary
  • J.D. Hayworth, U.S. Representative (R-AZ)
  • Rick Santorum, U.S. Senator (R-PA)
  • Tom Tancredo, U.S. Representative (R-CO)
  • Janet Napolitano, Arizona Governor (D)
  • F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., U.S. Representative (R-WI) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman
  • The White House, President Bush's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and homeland-security spending bill signing