Immigration Fueling Santorum's Comeback

Rick Santorum has closed the gap on Bob Casey in his race for re-election because he's picked up on the importance of the immigration issue, according to this Washington Times article.

"Rick's immigration message is resonating," said John Braybender, Mr. Santorum's media consultant, who has helped the campaign produce two immigration ads in recent months. "People understand that the immigration issue is much more far-reaching than just border states."

This isn't good news for Democrats, especially those who've essentially ignored the enforcement issue while focusing on granting citizenship to those who've illegally gained access to the US. This isn't good news for Bob Casey, who hasn't taken a hard stand on the issue:

Mr. Santorum was the highest-ranking Senate Republican to vote against a bill approved earlier this year that would grant citizenship rights to some 10 million illegal aliens. Mr. Casey has said he would have supported the bill, though he did not like everything in it.

People, Casey's answer has the sounds of a focus-grouped answer that sounds good and means nothing. I suspect that people are figuring out that Casey is running on his dad's name, not on the issues. That might work for awhile in the summer but that won't cut it in the heat of a heated campaign.

"We did a certain amount of internal polling, and when it got to immigration, it was very clear," Mr. Braybender said. "Rick's position versus Casey's was overwhelming." Voters, he said, see the issue as more than just illegal aliens streaming across the border. It's also about giving them Social Security benefits, waiving certain back taxes and other matters of lawfulness and fairness.

This is perfect framing of the immigration issue. It's hard-hitting & concise. There isn't a better way of framing the issue.

Internal polling by the Santorum campaign, as well as by House and Senate campaigns across the country, suggests that the immigration issue will help Republicans in November.

I've suspected that this was a winning issue for Republicans once they got serious about it. That Santorum's campaign isn't the only campaign benefitting from it tells me I'm right.

I see that my friend Captain Ed has picked up on this as an issue benefitting Republicans. I couldn't agree more, Captain Ed. Here's Captain Ed's analysis:

I suspect that Frist has a plan to force a vote on strengthening the border. We already know that Congress has deadlocked on the issue so badly that a conference committee would hardly be able to move. I'd expect Frist to try to move the House bill to the Senate floor and let the chips fall where they may. With an overwhelming majority of voters wanting the southern border secured, the issue is a natural winner for the GOP.

If Republicans keep talking about border security and thwarting terrorist attacks, expect them to appeal to the overwhelming majority of voters. If they keep touting these issues, they'll gain seats in the House and Senate.

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Posted Tuesday, September 5, 2006 5:58 AM

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