Immigration emerges as wedge issue for GOP - DEMOCRATS WALK FINE LINE TO KEEP LATINO VOTE

Until this week, the Democratic presidential candidates had largely ignored the subject of illegal immigration. The topic, Democratic strategists concluded, was fraught with too much potential for alienating general election voters.

But after Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., struggled to answer a question during Tuesday’s debate about whether she supports a proposal to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, the topic burst into the forefront of the primary campaign and exposed a quandary for Democratic candidates, who broadly embrace immigrant-friendly policies.

While voters are in line with Democratic positions on issues such as Iraq and health care, immigration remains a thornier subject. Polls suggest that most Americans want to allow illegal immigrants to stay in the country and create ways for them to obtain citizenship, but party strategists say the voters who care most about this issue are those angry about illegal immigration and want to hear a tougher message.”*

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