Immigration and my Straight Party Compromise
On Facebook the other day, my friend Calvin posted a question:
Should you vote your party even if you despise your party's candidates offensive ads about immigration and undocumented students?
Ugh, I’ve been wondering the same thing myself. Beverly Perdue and Kay Hagan have been broadcasting ads that show how tough they are on illegal immigrants. Perdue slammed the door on children of undocumented immigrants that want to attend our state’s community colleges.
When I asked Perdue about her stance on this issue, she said “Graig, I love the work that you do, but this is a difficult policy issue.” I disagree. I understand it’s a difficult political issue, but the right policy for our children and our state is clear.
I’m pretty entrenched as a Democrat, but I haven’t been able to get past this issue and throw much support towards either Perdue or Hagan.
That’s why I was so heartened when Barack Obama gave an interview to a local radio reporter and addressed immigration head on. He said we shouldn’t have illegal immigrants. To do that we need to strengthen our border security and provide a path to citizenship for immigrants who are already here. Then he proudly expressed his co-sponsorship of the DREAM Act, a bill that would reward American raised and educated children of undocumented immigrants by providing them with college and citizen options if they succeed in school and contribute to our country.
So, supporting the top of the Democratic ticket is easy. I suppose I’ll fill in the straight Democratic bubble too. Somehow that’ll make it easier than actually filling in the bubbles next to Hagan and Perdue’s names.
My hope is that President Obama will take a strong leadership role on this issue, and Governor Perdue and Senator Hagan will fall in line. It’s never too late for politicians to do the right thing. If I cast my vote for them, I’ll be calling on them to cast their vote for children and immigrants.
Originally written and recorded as a commentary for my friends at WCHL 1360AM.
- Graig's blog
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That's what I'm doing too.
Truth be told, I'm a single-issue voter in some races. Abortion rights are my litmus test. Fall short there and a candidate doesn't even get a second look from me.
If by some chance, the General Assembly were to pass legislation that puts women at risk, Perdue will veto it. McCrory the misogynist will sign it. Assuming they are equal on all other issues (they aren't, McCrory is a corporatist through and through), that's the only reason I need to vote enthusiastically for Beverly Perdue.
Regarding Hagan, I've been impressed with her campaign and have jumped on her bandwagon whole-heartedly ... for the exact same reasons. She will be a reliable vote for choice in the Senate.
Sure there are plenty of things I don't like about both of them, but there are even more things I don't like about their opponents. WAY more.
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Doubts about Dole?
As usual Graig,
You've hit the issue right between the eyes. "It's a difficult policy issue" to me translates as "I will lose supporters in the election and in the legislature if I don't take this stance." I was so disgusted with our state's leadership when all of that went down publicly last spring. They should have taken the bold move and supported children, because ultimately, that's what we need to do, as a society.
I can support Perdue despite this, because I do want to keep in place the supports for early education and families with young children (where we don't check for SSN#'s). NC leads the country in those efforts, and I'm afraid that McCrory would set us back about 20 years because he said he would not support "programs that rhyme" I'm here to tell you, Smart Start and More at Four have done a lot to help families when and where they need it, and I feel certain that Perdue will protect those programs. I guess early care and education is about as close as I get to a one issue voter - it really is my litmus test because it's the one I'm most knowledgable about.
Graig, this is another issue
where we as progressives have failed to make our case with the general public. Some 2 out of 3 North Carolinians oppose the idea of allowing undocumented workers to remain here, and most of those believe harsher methods should be used to remove them. And yes, much of that opinion was derived from xenophobia and misconceptions about the economic impact to the state, and much of that was generated by outspoken anti-immigration elements.
But knowing that doesn't change the numbers, and ignoring those numbers is a good way for a politician to lose an election. Like James said, I have absolutely no doubt that the issues we hold dear, from shielding undocumented workers from unfair treatment, ensuring women's rights are not degraded, protecting the environment, etc., will be better served by electing Democrats to office.
I suppose that some people
I suppose that some people tackle a candidate for one single issue. But when you're in a center-right state such as North Carolina, I think its hard to actually be "soft" on illegal immigration. Even as a liberal my most (and only) conservative issue is in regards to that. But for some people its the lesser of two evils. Would we rather have McCrory and Dole or Perdue and Hagan who may be "wrong" on one or two issues but are right across the board?
No contest
The state-level Republican nominees have been the ones pushing the demagoguery on this issue. Given that, I am not even tempted to moderate my backing for the Democrats, based on environment, health care, energy, choice, workplace safety and health, and other critical concerns.
Yes, I do wish that more of our nominees had the courage to speak out on the injustices in this issue area, and the fact that Obama does so adds another reason for my enthusiasim for his candidacy.
As advocates, we must not hesitate to continue to try to take the educational case straight to the public on justice for immigrants. Next year, after the elections, will come the next round of showdowns on it.
Dan Besse
Dan Besse