The latest round of "oh.. no the Democrats are going to lose" posts and diaries have been about immigration, particularly Hillary's comments on drivers licenses.
No need to worry, the Democrats are still doing fine and polls are still showing that their positions are correct, even on the immigration issue.
Let's take a deep breath... and think about this rationally below the fold.
The Moderate Position of the Democrats
The Democrats (that is most of the Democrats in Congress and all the prominent presidential candidates) are taking a moderate position on immigration. They are endorsing stronger border security while calling for a path to citizenship for the people here.
This is a reasonable solution that addresses both the concern about illegal immigration, and the desire to treat people here with compassion.
We in the progressive pro-immigrant (that is in favor of rights for immigrants regardless of their status) community have been willing to work on a compassionate compromise and many of us feel the Democrats have been fairly reasonable (even though many on my side would like them to be a bit stronger on the side of compassion).
The Hardline position of the Republicans
The Republicans (that is most of Republicans in Congress and all the prominent presidential candidates) are taking an absolutist position on immigration. They are all refusing to talk about a path to citizenship and calling for harsher enforcement measures that target families and workers.
The Republicans are blocking any compromise bill because of a hard line rejection of anything that they consider "amnesty".
What do voters want
Let's ignore the loudness factor. After all, it is the number of votes that count, not how loud you can scream.
The fact is that in polls by respectable polling organization (not those commissioned by anti-immigrant groups) a majority of Americans have consistently chosen a path to citizenship (combined with border security).
Republicans as racists
This is not including the fact that the Republicans are going to have a image problem-- being seen as extremists by many segments of the population not only because of the immigration rhetoric, but also because of Jena six and drug policy etc. etc.
The ranting of the Republican right, when compared to the moderate reason of the Democrats is going to play just fine. The threats of a third party are even better. The quotes about Spanish being a "ghetto language" and Miami being a third world country to attacks on Hispanic civil rights groups are going to motivate a reaction against the Republicans.
For the record I am not saying that everyone against amnesty is racist. But, I am saying that the Republicans play to racist themes and that this is hurting them among voters is a good thing.
A good deal for Democrats
The Republicans are being forced to the right by the extremer parts of their party. There are even threats of a third party run if they don't tow the line.
This puts the Democrats in a great position when the backlash comes. In the general election, the anti-immigrant candidate (i.e. the Republican) is going to have to come up with a specific solutions instead of just anti-immigrant slogans. Watching them deal with the extreme position needed to win the Republican primary when they are finally questioned about issues of compassion, practicality and small business issues, is going to be awfully fun to watch (for those of us who want the Democrat to win).
Want proof... well if the failure of the immigration issue in 2006 didn't convince you... look at the continued polls.
The Republicans have been pouring on attacks on Democrats for being soft on illegal immigration. The latest Post/ABC poll finds that not only does most of America still want a Democratic white house and a Democratic congress. By 45% to 35% they trust the Democratic position on immigration.
Don't worry, Democrats can do the right thing with a path to citizenship, and still be fine.
This is only a wedge issue if we allow ourselves to be wedged.