Thread: Phoenix voters say immigration issues are their top concern

Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 7:51 PM MST
Phoenix voters say immigration issues are their top concern
The Business Journal of Phoenix - by Mike Sunnucks Phoenix Business Journal
Illegal immigration is the top concern of Phoenix-area voters, according to a new poll by Arizona State University and KAET-TV Channel 8.

Twenty-seven percent of the Maricopa County voters surveyed in the November poll said illegal immigration was the region's biggest problem -- ahead of health care, air quality, traffic, schools and the economy.

County voters said border security and enforcing existing immigration laws are the best way to deal with the problem.

The survey also showed Arizona Sen. John McCain leading among county voters in the 2008 presidential field with 32 percent. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani came in second with 22 percent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney posted 14 percent.

A separate poll from the Behavior Research Center in Phoenix gives Giuliani 20 percent over McCain's 18 percent among Arizona Republicans. The Rocky Mountain Poll gives McCain 29 percent of the vote versus only 6 percent for Giuliani among independents. Some of those independents could reregister with either party to vote in the 2008 primary on Feb. 5.

On the Democratic side, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton leads Illinois Sen. Barack Obama 41 percent to 23 percent in the ASU/KAET county poll.

Clinton leads Obama 44 percent to 11 percent among Democrats in the BRC/Rocky Mountain Poll of Republicans and 35 percent to 22 percent among independents.

The BRC poll interviewed 800 Arizona adults between Nov. 12 and 15. The ASU poll queried 697 Maricopa County voters.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stor ... ily24.html

If this is true, why did they just re-elect their santuary loving mayor Phil Gordon?

I don't understand people -

Did I read this correctly? They believe immigration is the most important thing in this election and yet

McCain and Guiliana?

Hillary and Obama?

I don't get it ---------------------------

I just don't get it ------------------

These people have all had their chance to do something about illegal immigration - even Mayor Rudy. Are they all going to suddenly change when elected?

If illegal immigration is the problem they are looking at all the wrong canidates, of course those are probably the only ones they gave them

County voters said border security and enforcing existing immigration laws are the best way to deal with the problem.

Well, I really hope this county's voters realize that they should then NOT support Giuliani or McCain, both of whom believe in "pathway" amnesty (after the "border security" platitudes) and do NOT believe that enforcing existing immigration laws is the best way to deal with the problem.

You know we are not always rational about our choices - but how can people look at the situation of illegal immigration - name it the most important thing - and then conclude that any of these people are the ones to get their vote?

It's possible the poll was slanted that way - and that's not really their choice.

It's possible they are all caught up in the celebrity aspect of the election or in party favorites.

I can't figure it out.

Originally Posted by nntrixie

but how can people look at the situation of illegal immigration - name it the most important thing - and then conclude that any of these people are the ones to get their vote?

I would venture to say they are not really aware of Giuliani's support of amnesty. He'll give sound bites that sound tough on illegal immigration, but if you analyze his position in any detail (which many or most people don't) you'll see he has been weak on this issue in the past and is still weak (e.g., supports pathway amnesty and a "virtual" fence).