Immigration vexes national parties

By Gary Martin - San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted: 07/05/2010 12:00 CDT

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's immigration reform speech is the latest step in a political dance to appease activists in his Democratic Party base, but divisions among Republicans also pose problems as they look to coming elections.

While Republican consultants advocate a more inclusive approach to attract Hispanics, politically powerful grass-roots groups want the GOP to embrace get-tough measures like that passed in Arizona.

Republicans are poised to make gains in the Senate and the House in November, and GOP leaders are walking a fine line, endorsing border security measures and criticism of the president while trying to avoid alienating Hispanics.

Sen. John Cornyn, who as head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee is looking over a national chessboard of Senate races, downplays the electoral importance of immigration reform.

“I don't think this will be the premier issue in the midterm elections,â€