As economy and gas prices dominate WH '08, one formerly "hot" issue has fallen off the radar. Remember when illegal immigration was going to "define" the GOP WH primary and dominate state contests as well? Well, that didn't happen.
-- Need proof? Look at today's GOP SEN primary in SC. Sen. Lindsey Graham's support of McCain's immig. legislation was supposed to give fits to conservative voters. He was even booed at the '07 SC GOP convo. Today, Graham is heavily favored over ex-RNCer Buddy Witherspoon, who has launched withering attacks on "Graham-nesty." (Of course, it helps that Graham has spent more than $1.77M to Witherspoon's $212K).
-- Will a win for Graham put concerns about McCain's vulnerabilities on the issue to rest as well? It could, esp. if McCain can effectively define Obama as a liberal on other issues close to conservatives' hearts.
-- Even so, McCain's not getting any credit for his position from Hispanic voters either. Gallup's 5/08 tracker found that he was getting just 29% of the Hispanic vote - 15 pts. below Bush's '04 showing.
-- In the end, immig. may end up as a wash. But considering how lethal this issue was supposed to be for him, McCain shouldn't be too upset.
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