State GOP Defeat and Latinos
* Prior to last November’s elections, political pundits confidently predicted significant Republican gains in Congress. They were wrong. After the election, the same pundits were certain that the House would never impeach President Clinton. Wrong again. Also, since the election, pundits like Tony Quinn (“The Eyes of California Republicans Should Be on Texas,” Opinion, Dec. 20) have vehemently asserted that the California Republican Party was routed in November because of its position on immigration. Anyone want to go for the hat trick?
According to numerous public opinion polls, Latinos, like every other identifiable group in America, favor reductions in immigration levels. Dan Lungren and Matt Fong both tried to distance themselves from positions on immigration that helped Pete Wilson resurrect himself from the political graveyard four years ago. One could make a credible argument that the Republican disaster in California in 1998 was caused, in part, by their failure to address issues that concern most Californians--chief among them, excessive levels of immigration.
IRA MEHLMAN
California Media Director
Federation for American
Immigration Reform, Los Angeles
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