http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_4513467

Republican candidates talk tough on immigration
By Julie Hirschfeld Davis
The Baltimore Sun
DenverPost.com
Article Last Updated:10/18/2006 09:03:16 PM MDT

Kennett Square, Pa. - Lagging behind his Democratic opponent, Sen. Rick Santorum has seized on illegal immigration as a key issue in his fight for survival, touting his hard-line stance as a top reason he deserves re-election.

In states and towns like this one, far from the nation's borders, Republicans are flogging the hot-button issue of immigration as they troll for votes, stirring a potent election-year stew of fears about security and anxiety about jobs and the economy.

Party strategists say a hard- line immigration stance appeals to their base and may have the potential to attract crossover voters, particularly middle-class white conservatives who are upset at the notion that illegal immigrants might enjoy taxpayer- funded government benefits.

There's little sign, however, that most voters are listening.

People are torn on the issue. Many say it's low on their list of concerns this election year, behind the Iraq war and economic worries. Public polls show no more than about one-fifth of voters name it as a top concern.

G. Terry Madonna, a Pennsylvania political scientist and pollster, said immigration falls near the bottom of voters' priority lists, but "more Pennsylvanians are on Santorum's side on this than they are on the other positions, so if he can make it more important, he may benefit from it."

Other Republicans are trying a similar strategy.

In Minnesota, Senate candidate Mark Kennedy has run TV and radio ads accusing opponent Amy Klobuchar of supporting Social Security benefits for immigrants. Reps. Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania and Chris Chocola of Indiana have touted their opposition to President Bush's plan to give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship and have called their campaign rivals amnesty backers. In Tennessee, Bob Corker accuses his Senate campaign opponent, Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr., of opposing border-security measures.

Republican strategists say the argument lets candidates do two things: appeal to conservatives in both parties who favor immigration crackdowns and show independence from Bush, whose popularity is sagging.

Democratic strategists have been advising candidates across the country to hit back by reminding voters that the explosion in illegal immigration happened on Republicans' watch.