HAS THE FEVER BROKEN?

Historically, immigration has ranked relatively low on the list of priorities for the average American. Most people are generally pro-immigration (though relatively passive in showing it), but ever couple of decades, passions get stirred up and the antis gain in influence. And then things subside and the country returns to the healthy dominant pro-immigration normalcy that has contributed to America's amazing economic success.

The last several years certainly fit in to the passions category. But recent polls are indicating that Americans are less interested in immigration. If that continues, members of Congress can get back to making immigration policies that they believe are in the best interest of the country as opposed to policies made out of fear of the political consequences. The latest poll on the subject comes from NBC and the Wall Street Journal. The poll asked what people considered their most important issues. Immigration ranked low - now down to the sixth highest issue, down from fourth in December 2007. In 2007, 12% of the public ranked immigration as the most important issue. This month, that figure is down to 5%.  And for those who ranked it their second highest priority, the count was down from 19% to 12%.

Hopefully, members of Congress will look at these numbers and realize that the politics have changed.

You can see the data here. Download WSJ_NBC_SURVEY_June2008.pdf

Comments

[JoeF]

"Something else that is going to help is that some of the Senators opposed to CIR are going to be toast"

Great. I hope that there is similar movement in the House.

[USC]

"But recent polls are indicating that Americans are less interested in immigration. If that continues, members of Congress can get back to making immigration policies that they believe are in the best interest of the country as opposed to policies made out of fear of the political consequences."

Something else that is going to help is that some of the Senators opposed to CIR are going to be toast:

"NRSC chairman Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) said that he expects to keep his losses in the Senate to eight seats, max." ...... "He probably has already conceded Virginia, New Hampshire, Colorado, and New Mexico, and is worried silly about Alaska, Maine, Oregon, and Minnesota. That makes eight. And then there is Roger Wicker's seat in Mississippi which is not supposed to be competitive but which polls show to be a statistical tie. To follow the Senate contests, click on the Senate map and races link to the right of the map. It is updated whenever there are new Senate polls."

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

Incidentally, this is a great site. You can follow the Presidential, Senate & House races. They update their site as soon as any new poll comes out. They did a great job during the 2004 election cycle. If they are correct this time the Democrats will control 3 branches of the govie. If that happens prospects for CIR should be greatly improved.