Immigration Reform and its impact on politics

There are several things to watch to see how people feel about the illegal immigration issue. The most visible way people communicate with politicians is at the ballot box. In California there is a special election taking place to replace the crooked Duke Cunningham. The Democrat candidate, Francine Busby was considered to be doing well by making the campaign more about Cunningham's corruption than policy. Then last week she made a comment to an illegal alien at one of her rallies:

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a man at a rally told her he'd like to help with the campaign, but "I don't have papers." She responded, "You don't need papers for voting." Later she said she had merely meant to say, "that you do not have to be a registered voter to help the campaign."

With the Dems being known as the party of voter fraud her comment undermines her attempt to campaign as the anti-corruption option. If she gets trounced, you can chalk it up to those comments and the fact that most folks want the law (including immigration laws) obeyed.

The second signal voters are sending to politicians comes from Michigan.

Rep. Tom Tancredo's get-tough-first attitude on immigration reform is having a positive impact on his possible presidential run in 2008. The Colorado Republican won tonight's GOP straw poll in Macomb County, Mich., located in the Detroit metro area.

Any voter who knows of Tancredo only knows him because of his strong stance on securing our borders. For a basically one issue candidate to beat out the big names like McCain, Rice, Giuliani, Romney, etc. says how people feel about that one issue. Also, it is very telling that Mr. Amnesty - John McCain came in tied for fifth with Newt Gingrich.

Bottom line, this is an issue voters care about. If the Republicans lose their majority in the House or Senate, the loss will be traceable to ignoring the concerns of the base on this issue. If Republican senators pat themselves on the back for being able to please Ted Kennedy and his ilk they aren't keeping the vote of people like me.