Thread: Immigration issue takes back seat in presidential race

Immigration issue takes back seat in presidential race

Web Posted: 07/05/2008 10:57 PM CDT

By Hernán Rozemberg


What's the top issue you'd like to hear candidates discuss in the presidential campaign?

If it's the economy, join the club — countless polls indicate it's the leading concern.

National security, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Iraq, as well as health care, also tend to get the most attention.

So what happened to immigration?

Despite a drumbeat of national headlines since 2005 and its key role in the 2006 congressional races, immigration has been relegated to second-tier status during this year's presidential primaries. And experts don't see the trend changing much in the final contest between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.

“We just don't see immigration showing up,â€

The MSM always downplays the significance of illegal immigration, and the negative first hand impacts from this that millions of Americans experience every day. Sure, if you've been laid off, or lost your health insurance etc., illegal immigration may not be your paramount concern, but this issue is still volatile and lurking right below the surface. Just ask (soon-to-be former) Rep. Chris Cannon.

You're right Populist. The msm will try to downplay the issue to help protect the candidates.
Illegal immigration ties into the economy because American workers have been displaced and had their wages lowered because of it.

Absolutely Jean. I cringe when I hear MSM blowhards chastise the Tom Tancredos as "single-issue candidates" because they focus on the negative impacts of illegal immigration. This issue impacts so much (wages, hospitals, public schools, national security, municipal and state budgets etc.), it most certainly is not a single-issue.