Election-year politics: Why immigration reform will have to wait

Despite the public's cry for reforms, election-year politics will keep politicians from plain talk and solutions.
By David R. Francis | columnist

from the February 11, 2008 edition

In an election year, the prospects of straight talk by the presidential candidates on immigration reform are slim. The issue is too complex and highly contentious.

The public would like to see the problem of illegal immigrants tackled by Washington. But most Americans oppose shortcuts to citizenship for the 12 million or more "undocumented" immigrants. Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are competing for the Hispanic vote. They aren't talking tough about deporting illegal workers and their families, most of whom are Hispanic. After all, friends and family of illegal Latinos often have the vote.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0211/p16s01-wmgn.html