http://blog.washingtonpost.com/virginia ... wdown.html


Immigration Showdown Likely
There could be fireworks tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Virginia Commission on Immigration's first meeting.

The commission is studying the state's immigration policies and advising Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) on whether the state should adopt new policies to restrict of the flow of illegal immigrants into the state.

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) was the sponsor of the bill establishing the committee, so he says he should be the chairman of the 20-member panel. But sources say moderate Senate GOP leaders and Kaine administration officials are trying to install Sen. John C. Watkins (R-Chesterfield) as chairman because Marshall has a reputation for being too combative and conservative.


Marshall says he plans to put up a fight to be chairman when the 20-member commission votes at 9 a.m..

Tensions are already high. On Sunday evening, Marshall said he confronted Watkins in "a blunt conversation."

"I said, 'Could you tell me why you are doing this?' He told me he had no obligation to tell me anything'," Marshall said in an interview today. "I said, 'John, I have worked on this for five years and you waltz in and try to be in charge? That strikes me as irregular and lacking in common courtesy'."

In an interview, Watkins countered he doesn't plan to back down. "I have been asked by a couple of people if I would be willing to serve and I said yes," Watkins said.

The outcome of the election could affect the direction of the commission's work.

Marshall has been an outspoken critic of illegal immigration. By luring Watkins as chairman, Marshall says Kaine and Senate Republicans want "to steer the commission" so its findings are less hard hitting.

Watkins, who owns a nursey, is believed to be more moderate than Marshall on the immigration issue. Each year, Watkins hires a crew of legal migrant workers for his nursey.

"I am even-handed on this issue," Watkins said. "I will not tolerate illegal immigration anymore than the next person ...But I don't have an ax to grind one way or another."