Correct, but inaccurate.
Mitchell took an equally hardline on enforcement but emphasized his support for giving legal status to the illegals and creating a guest worker program.
He effectively painted Hayworth and the GOP as being derelict because they refused to address the problem.
No, Mitchell did what a lot of Dem candidates did to defuse the issue, i.e., they said they supported the WH/McCain position.
He effectively painted Hayworth and the GOP as being derelict because they refused to address the problem.
The GOP controlled House passed H R 4437, which JD said wasn't strong enough. The Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform in 2006, i.e., S 2611, but the Senate Reps voted 32-23 AGAINST it.
The problem that the Reps faced was the WH, which provided the Dems cover. Immigration was not a defining issue in the Hayworth-Mitchell race, mainly because Mitchell was able to hide behind the WH and McCain. Scandal and redistricting were the main reasons Hayworth lost. I have a home in Scottsdale, which is why I am familiar with what happened.