Jeff Flake's Immigration Problem (R-AZ running for Kyl's seat)

[pampango]

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/jeff-flake-immigration-moderate-views

Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) hadn't even announced his bid for retiring Sen. Jon Kyl's Senate seat when the first press releases attacking his unusually moderate views on immigration hit the newswires. Just after 1 a.m. on Monday—more than 12 hours before Flake officially launched his campaign—anti-immigration group Numbers USA blasted out a statement denouncing the congressman as "the Top Republican Amnesty Pusher in U.S. House." Networking hub ArizonaTeaParty.com quickly posted the attack on its site.

In 2006 and 2007, Flake co-authored the STRIVE Act, an immigration reform bill that included a pathway to legalization for undocumented immigrants. When asked on Tuesday by Mother Jones whether he'd still support a pathway to legalization, Flake soft-pedaled his response but defended his previous views on immigration. "I've always felt that, like I said, nearly half of those who are here illegally didn't sneak across the border. They came legally and have overstayed. So border security is the number one item, but you've got to do other things as well," Flake said in an interview just off the House floor.

Like Flake, McCain stepped forward during the Bush years to become one of the biggest champions of immigration reform, including a pathway to legalization. But challenged from the right in 2010 by ex-congressman J.D. Hayworth, McCain rapidly retreated from his previous positions on immigration. He adopted a hard line on that issue—along with a host of others—during his Senate primary.

Immigration hawks have already picked up on the contrast. "McCain abandoned his amnesty leadership and then distanced himself more from it in order to win re-election to the Senate in 2010," writes Numbers USA president Roy Beck. "But Rep. Flake has not recanted any of his boosterism for amnesties." And like McCain, Flake could face a primary challenge on the right. Hayworth has said he won't run in the race to replace Kyl, but the notorious Maricopa County sheriff, Joe Arpaio, has been making noise about a possible campaign.

NumbersUSA (which opposes immigration - legal and illegal - period) really seems to have it in for Flake. Sounds like Arizona teabaggers aren't too happy with him either. Time will tell if Flake caves in on immigration reform like McCain did.

Edit-Just came across this: Jeff Flake for Senate: This'll Get Ugly When the Immigration Restrictionists Wake Up

http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/02/14/jeff-flake-for-senate-this-ll-get-ugly-when-the-immigration-restrictionists-wake-up.aspx

Jeff Flake's campaign for U.S. Senate is the first real test of intra-conservative tension of 2012. There's not much difference on policy between, say, Ted Cruz and Michael Williams in Texas. But there are big differences on some issues between Flake, who's been a libertarian and fiscal conservative hero for a decade, and the vanguard of Arizona conservatives.

In 2006 and 2007, Flake was a congressional supporter of comprehensive immigration reform. In 2007, he was part of a coalition that introduced the STRIVE Act. Like all immigration legislation, it went nowhere. But go back and read it -- it included visas for undocumented immigrations, and a pathway to legalization for anyone who met employment requirements and citizenship requirements (like command of English), and paid a $1,500 fine plus application fees. Perhaps more importantly, it included the DREAM Act of 2007 as part of the bill. That's the legislation for legalization-through-public service that became anathema to conservatives in 2010.

Another issue on which libertarians support Flake: Cuba. He's for ending the travel ban and trading with Cuba, as are a growing number of people. But most conservatives don't agree with him. Oh, and another: He voted to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And more, here, from Mike Mears of Concerned Women for America PAC, via Matt Lewis.

The Club for Growth beseeched Flake to get into the race and endorsed him one he entered. But don't expect him to clear the field.