The Big Democrat Mystery

Mickey Kaus notes the same EJ Dionne article that I did and asks a question: Where is the Democratic split over illegal immigration?

What's changed? Well, President Bush–the main politician doing the GOP-splitting–is leaving the scene. The Republican electorate seems to have decisively turned against his illegal-immigrant semi-amnesty. Result: No more split! But the powerful GOP anti-legalization sentiment was obviously latent even in 2006. The MSM just chose not to notice.

Anti-legalization sentiment has also been manifestly latent among Democratic voters–including, but not limited to, unskilled workers whose wages have been suppressed by immigrant competition. What's odd, then, is that the Dems now aren't split. They're only terrified! The Dem presidential candidates who might appeal to anti-legalization opinion–and thereby split the party–all seem paralyzed by their desire not to offend Latinos.

Hmm. The last successful Democratic presidential candidate defied his party's dogma on a central issue (welfare) at the risk, it was thought, of offending key interest groups (blacks, liberals). Is there no current candidate willing to do the same on immigration? You'd think someone in the 2008 field would make the move, just for strategic reasons. … John Edwards may be edging there: On ABC's This Week he came out against N.Y. Gov. Spitzer's illegal-immigrant driver's-license plan. But he only did it sotto voce, after prompting, and after emphasizing his support for "comprehensive" reform (i.e. legalization). …

He's right, but the Democrats have hemmed themselves in on this issue. A properly tuned message on immigration should include language that draws the low wage workers on board. They know that their wages and chances are being suppressed by the flood of cheap labor. Immigrants who came to this country legally should be (and by all indications are) furious at those who broke the rules. There are natural fractures in the voting bloc that Democrats believe they own.

High fence. Wide Gate. Hearty welcome for those who play by the rules. It'll work - but the Dems can't use it.