In last night’s debate, NBC anchor Tim Russert asked Senator Hillary Clinton, “Why does it make a lot of sense to give an illegal immigrant a driver’s license?” To which, the Senator responded:
“CLINTON: Well, what Governor Spitzer is trying to do is fill the vacuum left by the failure of this administration to bring about comprehensive immigration reform. We know in New York we have several million at any one time who are in New York illegally. They are undocumented workers. They are driving on our roads. The possibility of them having an accident that harms themselves or others is just a matter of the odds. It’s probability.
“… I believe we need to get back to comprehensive immigration reform because no state, no matter how well intentioned, can fill this gap. There needs to be federal action on immigration reform.”
Senator Chris Dodd then argued against issuing driver’s licenses to those entered the country illegally:
“DODD: This is a privilege. And, look, I’m as forthright and progressive on immigration policy as anyone here. But we’re dealing with a serious problem here, we need to have people come forward. The idea that we’re going to extend this privilege here of a driver’s license I think is troublesome, and I think the American people are reacting to it.
“We need to deal with security on our borders. We need to deal with the attraction that draws people here. We need to deal fairly with those who are here.
“But this is a privilege. Talk about health care, I have a different opinion. That affects the public health of all of us.
“But a license is a privilege, and that ought not to be extended, in my view.”
And then Senators Clinton and Dodd got into the following exchange:
“CLINTON: Well, I just want to add, I did not say that it should be done, but I certainly recognize why Governor Spitzer is trying to do…
“(UNKNOWN): Wait a minute…
“CLINTON: And we have failed. We have failed.
“DODD: No, no, no. You said — you said yes…
“CLINTON: No.
“DODD: … you thought it made sense to do it.
“CLINTON: No, I didn’t, Chris. But the point is, what are we going to do with all these illegal immigrants who are driving…”
Tim Russert then pressed Senator Clinton to answer whether she supports the Spitzer proposal
“CLINTON: You know, Tim, this is where everybody plays “gotcha.” It makes a lot of sense. What is the governor supposed to do? He is dealing with a serious problems. We have failed. And George Bush has failed. Do I think this is the best thing for any governor to do? No. But do I understand the sense of real desperation, trying to get a handle on this? Remember, in New York, we want to know who’s in New York. We want people to come out of the shadows.
“He’s making an honest effort to do it. We should have passed immigration reform.”
Edwards and Obama then proceeded to attack Clinton for trying to have it both ways.
The whole exchange lent weight to Rahm Emanuel’s description of immigration “as the third rail of American politics.“
Tags: Dodd, Hillary Clinton
