Whitman will face challenge on immigration issue in California general election

By Sandhya Somashekhar

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Now that Meg Whitman has won Tuesday's Republican primary for California governor, the former eBay chief will have to figure out how to navigate an issue that was foisted on her in her effort to secure the nomination: illegal immigration.

Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, her Republican opponent, was making headway among conservative voters by casting her as too liberal on the issue. She regained support by fighting back, saying that she opposes amnesty and will be "tough as nails" on those without papers.

It is a dicey issue in California, which has fought this battle before. In 1994, voters approved a controversial referendum that would have denied services to illegal immigrants. The measure was thrown out by the courts. Those old battle lines still exist, and Whitman will have to soften her rhetoric to avoid provoking the wrath of groups that vociferously opposed the 1994 proposition.

But she will also have to face those voters who took her at her word that she would take a hard line similar to that of Arizona's governor.

"It's time that politicians accepted the facts instead of trying to be liked by everyone," said Lorraine Kirsch, 61, a retired sales representative from Bakersfield. Migrant labor is a mainstay in this agricultural community and the industry has attracted legal and illegal workers. "I like to see them working. However, I don't like to see them milking the system."

The sentiment was equally strong three hours south in Newport Beach, an upscale community without a strong immigrant presence. "We're drowning under the weight of it right now," said Virginia Wilcox, 55, a retired teacher and nurse. "It's real nice around here but if you go over to Costa Mesa or Santa Ana, you think you're in T.J.," she added, referring to Tijuana.

Whitman will also be under pressure from immigrant advocacy groups, and some say they are reserving judgment on Whitman because she did not come across as stridently on the issue as Poizner. "With Poizner we knew he was a lost cause," said Jorge-Mario Cabrera, spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. "Whitman is trying to sound like a tough Republican but she's gone back and forth so you can't really believe her."

June 8, 2010; 11:50 PM ET

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