Democrats saying little about illegal immigrants
DAVID LIGHTMAN

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidates are likely to sound similar tonight at their Las Vegas debate when they discuss illegal immigration — if they talk much about it at all.

They all pretty much call for tougher border enforcement and providing a path to citizenship, but they’ve been downplaying the issue for months, even though it’s one of the hottest controversies in the land.

Democratic analysts say that’s a smart strategy. Republicans counter that Democrats are afraid of the issue, which could split the party’s liberal wing and Hispanics from its blue-collar supporters.

Independent analysts aren’t sure who’s right.

“People are torn. They know they need immigrants [to make the economy hum], but many also fear the browning of America,â€