BOOS FOR HILLARY PROVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS A HUGE ISSUE - AND ONE THAT HELPS THE GOP

NYTIMES:

Hillary Rodham Clinton got a reminder in Iowa today of just how divisive the issue of immigration is –- on both sides of the ideological spectrum. She drew a lusty chorus of boos from advocates of laws permitting illegal immigrants to become citizens as she spoke at the Heartland Forum, a Democratic presidential forum organized by a collection of community groups here.

It happened as Mrs. Clinton was pressed on whether she was prepared, within the first 100 days of her presidency, to push through legislation that would give undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship. The question drew applause.

“I have been in favor of a path to citizenship for years,” Mrs. Clinton said, according to a transcript provided by Radio Iowa. “I voted it in the Senate and, as president, comprehensive immigration reform will be a high priority for me.”

She drew a scattering of applause but her questioner pressed Mrs. Clinton about whether she would do that in her first 100 days.

MSNBC:

The Democratic presidential candidates braved the ice and snow covering the streets of Des Moines to attend the Heartland Presidential Forum in Des Moines Saturday afternoon. Edwards, Kucinich, Dodd and Obama spoke at the forum. Clinton spoke to the crowd via phone. She had initially canceled her appearance yesterday during the hostage crisis at her field office in Rochester, NH.

The forum, organized by three non-profits, brought together groups of community leaders from Iowa and several other states who worked on issues like farming, immigration and urban poverty. Assembled on the stage were groups of three individuals who told personal stories and asking pointed questions like, "Do you think corporate America has too much power?" But most significantly, it gave a voice to the group of individuals at the crux of one of the most heated political debates in this election cycle -- illegal immigration.

Mayte, a young woman who immigrated with her mother from Mexico when she was 6, made a fiery and teary plea for immigration reform to allow young women like her who had been educated in the United States and were contributing to American society a chance to fully integrate by becoming legal residents. Clinton, in responding to the young woman's story, was booed loudly several times for her answers on immigration reform.

ABC:

The senator was asked if she would "make a decision to give undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship" during her first 100 days in office. Clinton responded saying, "I have been favoring a plan to citizenship for years. I voted for it in the Senate, I have spoke out about it around Iowa and the country and in my campaign. And as president comprehensive immigration reform will be a high priority for me."

Soft booing could be heard from the audience. The man repeated his question about the first 100 days. Clinton replied, "Well you've to get congress to pass the legislation and the president to do as much as possible, which I will do." Louder boos came from the crowd.

Clinton was thanked for her appearance and the moderator expressed sympathies for the ordeal she suffered yesterday. Clinton thanked the moderator. More booing could be heard from the crowd again after she hung up the line.

The Iowans at this forum are different than Iowans elsewhere - THEY ARE THE HARD LEFT OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. AND THEY CALL THE SHOTS NOW.

Meanwhile, the Vast majority of Americans of both major parties and independents DON'T WANT THE FEDS TO PRETEND TO MAKE THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PROBLEM GO AWAY BY MAKING THE ILLEGALS LEGAL.

• THE PROBLEM ISN'T THAT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IS ILLEGAL. (THOUGH THAT'S WHAT THE LIBS THINK!) THAT'S THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS PROBLEM.
  

• OUR PROBLEM IS THAT THEY'RE HERE, AND STILL STREAMING IN, UNCHECKED.

• THIS IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN THE 2008 ELECTION - AND IT BREAKS WELL FOR CONSERVATIVES.

• THE SECOND BIGGEST ISSUE IS ENERGY COSTS, AND INCREASING ENERGY SUPPLIES. WHICH ALSO BREAKS WELL FOR THE GOP.
  

POLTICIANS WHO CARE MORE ABOUT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT THAN THE HARD-WORKING, TAX-PAYING CITIZENS OF THE USA WILL LOSE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

ADDENDUM: THE DEBATE WAS HELD DESPITE THE TERRIBLE WINTER STORM WHICH STRUCK IOWA AND THE ENTIRE MID-WEST. GEE: I WONDER IF GLOBAL WARMING CAME UP!?

COMPLETE ROUND UP HERE AT MEMEORANDUM.