Some Democrats get it on drivers licenses

Washington Times:

Democratic House members can't understand why their party's national leaders are embracing driver's licenses for illegal aliens, and say their constituents see it as a "de facto amnesty."

Rep. Nancy Boyda, Kansas Democrat, said the stance taken by her party's presidential candidates is very unpopular in her district.

"What I tell people back home is, 'It is not my day to watch them,' " said Mrs. Boyda, adding that her reputation as a political maverick and staunch opponent of illegal entry distinguishes her from the folly at the top of the ticket.

"It is ultimately about the rule of law," she said. "We don't give driver's licenses to people who are here illegally. We do something about the fact that they are here illegally."

Rep. Artur Davis, Alabama Democrat, said voters in his state "get that a driver's license is a form of legal status" because it can be used to board a plane, enter most government buildings and conduct most financial transactions.

"The American people don't want conferring driver's licenses to become a de facto amnesty," he said.

The issue was brought into focus by New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat, who in September proposed granting state driver's licenses to illegal aliens as long as they can produce a valid foreign passport.

Last week, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton faltered when asked about the issue in a presidential debate by being unable to say whether she supported Mr. Spitzer's proposal. This week, she said she supports it for some states.

...

But Mr. Davis said if one state allows licenses for illegal aliens, aliens will flock there to obtain them. "That's why you need a national policy," he said.

He said his constituents won't understand why leaders of either party would embrace licenses for illegal aliens.

...

In addition to Mrs. Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois said he favors licenses for aliens while New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's state is one of the small number that already allows such licenses.

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut said he is opposed, and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina appears to be opposed as well.

...

Some Democrats also are eager to distance themselves from their party's embrace of a path to citizenship for illegal aliens, with dozens of House Democrats this week signing on as co-sponsors of an enforcement-only immigration bill.

One of them is Rep. Nick Lampson, Texas Democrat. "Somebody else might be out of step with the voters of my district, but I'm not," he said.

He said voters in his conservative district bristle at the soft stance on illegal aliens taken by the Democratic presidential candidates, which also contradicts Mr. Lampson's strong support of a crack down on illegal entry.

"As long as the constituents know where I stand," he said.

It shows how really bad an idea it is that Lampson even recognizes it. He is out of touch with his district on the war and other issues, but he does recognize that giving licenses is not acceptable. He still deserves to lose for his stand with the liberals and their desire to lose the war in Iraq. That vote alone should be enough for voters to reject him. It was a betrayal of the troops and the voters in his district.

It does not take courage to take a stand on an issue like drivers licenses for illegals. It just takes common sense. That is something that appears to be AWOL for many of the top candidates in the Democrat party. This may turn out to be the gays in the military issue that throttles Democrats should they elect a President in 2008.