Immigration Isn't A Slam-Dunk Issue for Democrats Anymore: Public divided on immigration reform

National Journal ^ | 07/17/2014 | Josh Kraushaar

[SeekAndFind]

Polling the public on policy preferences is an inherently tricky issue. Changing the precise wording and framing of questions can elicit dramatically different results. Even the same poll can yield contradictory sentiments from the same people. Voters can say they support entitlement cuts, yet cherish their Social Security and Medicare benefits at the same time. Or support more-limited American engagement overseas, while being dissatisfied with President Obama's passive leadership on foreign policy.

The list goes on. It's remarkably easy for any interest group to cherry-pick findings that match its policy preferences, or worse, tailor poll questions designed to elicit a certain response. And truth be told, most "average" voters don't have time to pay close attention to the specific policy debates taking place on Capitol Hill, and their opinions on hot-button issues are awfully malleable.

Which brings me to the issue of immigration reform. You'd think, based on the Republican hand-wringing on the subject, that significant majorities back a comprehensive package along the lines of what the Senate passed in June. But the reality, like with many other issues, is that public opinion is mixed.

A CBS News poll in May found a significant 56 percent majority said securing the border was a higher priority than dealing with illegal immigrants, but more than half also said that illegal immigrants should stay in the country, and eventually apply for citizenship. Nearly two-thirds of respondents told Gallup in June that "immigration was a good thing," but a 41 percent plurality said immigration to this country should be decreased.

Only 33 percent of voters said they approve of President Obama's handling of the current border crisis, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll, but a 53 percent majority support his spending plan to deal with the crisis.

[Beagle8U]

50% of Americans have a below average IQ, about the same number that support Owebama.

[Williams]

How was it EVER a slam dunk issue for democrats??? People have never favored illegal immigration. Nor should they as it makes absolutely no sense.

[Major Matt Mason]

First, look at the organizations doing the polling. When it is CBS, ABC, and WaPo, all three essentially a part of the Democrat Party, then the results are questionable at best. It wasn't long ago that 70% or more of Americans were opposed to amnesty, so I doubt that has changed much since then.

[dennisw]

I know a few libs who are not as informed as they should be about the immigration invasion but they are against it. Unfortunately they will still vote Democrat. Even a liberal Mitt Romney is too much for them

[skeeter]

America isn’t “divided” any more than they are divided on any other issue. A solid majority want this madness to STOP NOW.

[MHGinTN]

Yeah, if only that ‘majority’ would get off their lazy behinds and vote we would not get into these messes When the sovereigns fail to exercise their sovereign power, democrips and republicants work to remove that power.

[TigersEye]

Hopefully more people are realizing that immigration is a
separate issue from border security and illegal aliens.

• Deport illegal aliens on contact with LE.
• Enforce the law vigorously on employers of illegals.
• Strong border security. Build the physical fence and use high-tech surveillance.
• Eliminate entitlements for illegal aliens.
• End the "anchor baby" policy.

Do those things and illegal aliens will deport themselves and pay for the trip.

Then, and only then, will it make sense to discuss policies about legal immigration.

[Organic Panic]

The dems better take out the race card and smack their constituents. Even the hardened welfare recipients don’t like these new illegals cutting in to their pie. The democrats have carved every little group of people in to hateful little fiefdoms. With the new kids in town those fiefdoms are in peril.

[skeeter]

Its hard to get the lazy bums off their butts when they fail to discern the difference between what the democrat and republican parties are saying.

If the GOP came out solidly and unapologetically for American sovereignty, vowed to begin enforcing our borders like in the old days I'm pretty sure there would be record turnouts this November.

But I do not expect the GOP to do that because I know they don't believe in it.

[fella]

The RATs have gone one illegal alien to far.

[GOPJ]

Voters were intimidated by Democrats calling them xenophobic... Calling them ‘haters’ if they didn't accept illegals flooding the country.

Democrats used fear and guilt to keep citizens bullied - that's how it would have worked for democrats.

Then we came along - the Tea Party - and we've offered cover and protection for citizens. Now citizens can speak freely .... They can also tell pollsters what's in their hearts. And they can vote AGAINST democrat thugs.

[ontap]

I think the big change coming is when blacks realize the democrats new favorite welfare sluts are Spanish speakers and they are about to see the buss from a different angle!!!

[MHGinTN]

The democrips and republicants do as their masters tell them. They are owned.

[minnesota_bound]

The public is outraged.
The corrupt news media is trying their best to not report this.

[HenpeckedCon]

If the “public” knew what was in the 2000 plus pages of the Senate Amnesty bill they would be marching on Washington with pitchforks and torches.

[dforest]

duh, amnesty has never been popular with the American people. Our corrupt government and media work hard to make you think we all want open borders and to be over run with a bunch of sick and uneducated foreigners.