Immigration's Impact . . . VA Voters

[Southpaw Bookworm]

Another issue that will play a part in the gubernatorial election.

It has become a standard refrain in Republican Jerry W. Kilgore's stump speech for governor, tucked in among the pledges for better pay for better teachers and the promises not to raise taxes:

Virginia officials "should not be spending more of your hard-earned tax dollars to encourage illegal immigration."

Kilgore's eagerness to talk about the issue is being watched closely not just by his campaign opponents but also by political analysts and immigration experts nationwide. Campaign experts say the issue can be a risky one for a politician, and immigration experts are interested in how a clearly federal responsibility is working its way into gubernatorial campaigns and dividing state legislatures and city councils.

Illegal immigration "is an issue of growing concern and even anxiety at the grass roots," said Roberto Suro, director of the Pew Hispanic Center. "It's one of those issues where politicians of both parties are trying to catch up with the public."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/11/AR2005091101461.html

[zbdent]

1. Hope Soro gets asked for his green card a lot

under the Repuke regime . . .

Way to woo your Hispanic constituency . . .