The Politics of Xenophobia - The real immigration divide is between emotions and reason

Xenophobia is sweeping the nation, and the response to the recent Democratic presidential debate has continued the pervasive focus on politics, rather than on serious policy questions.

During the debate, Senator Hilary Clinton (D-N.Y.) was questioned about her views on New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s plan to provide driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants. She had previously been quoted as saying the proposal “makes sense,” but backtracked in response to the question and added, “I did not say that it should be done, but I certainly recognize why Governor Spitzer is trying to do it.”

The fallout of the apparent flip-flop was quite revealing of some candidates’ sentiments about illegal immigration. In addition to some Democratic candidates deriding Clinton’s “dishonesty,” Republican candidates criticized both Clinton and Governor Spitzer for the plan, with Mitt Romney saying that “it communicates to people coming to the country illegally that, with a wink and a nod, it is alright.” “*

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