Democrats immigration dilemma
Democracy Corps is made up of Democratic operatives like James Carville and Stan Greenberg. They recently did a comprehensive study of the immigration issue and noted some key vulnerabilities.
They note that benefits beyond emergency care and education are opposed by most Democrats, not to mention Republicans. Counter arguments on safety were clearly rejected. Employer enforcement is also strongly supported. In other words on this issue the Democrats are much closer to Republican positions than their own candidates.
What the study does not address is a key vulnerability of the Democrat candidates on the issue of benefits. Around one third of the uninsured in this country are illegal immigrants, yet every Democrat candidate has a proposal to give them health care coverage. They appear to be headed for a collision with their own supporters on this issue and not one has addressed it. Hopefully, Republicans will not make that mistake.
Health care which Democrats think is their issue will turn out to be a real problem for them before this campaign is finished.
BTW, the study appears to suggest that a path to citizenship plan might get majority support. I think Republicans can counter this with an obvious solution. There is already a path to citizenship called an application, and those who came here illegally should not jump in line ahead of those who play by the rules.
This study was not good news for Democrats on an issue that is important to voters of both parties. It will be interesting to see how Democrat "core beliefs" confirm to the survey.
They note that benefits beyond emergency care and education are opposed by most Democrats, not to mention Republicans. Counter arguments on safety were clearly rejected. Employer enforcement is also strongly supported. In other words on this issue the Democrats are much closer to Republican positions than their own candidates.
What the study does not address is a key vulnerability of the Democrat candidates on the issue of benefits. Around one third of the uninsured in this country are illegal immigrants, yet every Democrat candidate has a proposal to give them health care coverage. They appear to be headed for a collision with their own supporters on this issue and not one has addressed it. Hopefully, Republicans will not make that mistake.
Health care which Democrats think is their issue will turn out to be a real problem for them before this campaign is finished.
BTW, the study appears to suggest that a path to citizenship plan might get majority support. I think Republicans can counter this with an obvious solution. There is already a path to citizenship called an application, and those who came here illegally should not jump in line ahead of those who play by the rules.
This study was not good news for Democrats on an issue that is important to voters of both parties. It will be interesting to see how Democrat "core beliefs" confirm to the survey.
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