Some Candidates Making Immigration an Issue on Campaign Trail
BLITZER: Welcome back. We have been seeing nearly daily demonstrations by people on both sides of the border battle. Despite that, efforts at immigration reform are all but dead in the current U.S. Congress. Some candidates, though, are trying to make it a major issue on the campaign trail. Let's turn to our congressional correspondent, Dana Bash. She is joining us now live from Capitol Hill -- Dana.</s>DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Republican leaders are going to meet later this week, likely on Thursday, to make a final decision on whether or not to formally abandon that immigration reform legislation. And, if you are a Republican running for Congress this year, chances are, that's exactly what you want your leaders to do.</s>PETER ROSKAM (R), ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: Hey, I am Senator Peter Roskam, running for Congress. This is my wife, Elizabeth.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hi, Peter.</s>BASH (voice-over): Ask Republican Peter Roskam what voters in his hotly contested congressional race want to talk to him about, and here's what he says.</s>ROSKAM: The first thing that tends to come up on doorsteps is: What's going on with my taxes? What's going on with spending? And what's going on with immigration?</s>BASH: It's no surprise that residents in a mostly upper-middle- class area just outside Chicago want candidates to talk about their taxes and spending. But heightened interest in immigration here is new. This quintessential suburban Republican stronghold is becoming increasingly Hispanic.</s>ERIC KROL, "THE DAILY HERALD": I think the immigration argument will be -- could be particularly effective in the 6th Congressional District, which has a -- a lot of longtime conservative Republicans. And they see their -- the demographics in the district changing.</s>BASH: So, Roskam is playing up immigration in his campaign, saying he opposes a bipartisan Senate measure giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, which Democratic opponent Tammy Duckworth supports. And he's getting help from the Republican Campaign Committee in Washington. They spent $120,000 sending these fliers to voters, saying Tammy Duckworth supports amnesty for illegal aliens.</s>ROSKAM: I am in favor of securing the border. My opponent, by contrast, is in favor of the Senate bill, which, when you are out and about in the 6th District, I don't think is -- is the majority view.</s>BASH: Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, was forced to respond with her own mailer, insisting she does want to secure the borders, and does not support amnesty.</s>TAMMY DUCKWORTH (D), ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: They have been saying that I support amnesty, which is absolutely a lie.</s>BASH: She accuses Roskam of manufacturing immigration as an issue.</s>DUCKWORTH: I don't think it's one of the top issues. But my opponent, you know, doesn't know where he can attack me. And he has gone negative. And, so, he is choosing this.</s>BASH: But Republicans think opposing what they call amnesty is the best way to energize disgruntled GOP voters here and in other races across the country, and why, despite months of debate and pressure from the president, comprehensive immigration reform is all but dead for the year in Congress.</s>BASH: Instead, GOP aides tell us, Republicans will likely focus only on the aspect of immigration that appeals to their base and falls into their main focus this fall. And that is, of course, security. So, that means they are going to try to get more money for things like border agents for surveillance, and money for a wall that they -- many want to build between the border of the United States and Mexico -- Wolf.</s>BLITZER: All right, Dana, thank you. Can Democrats improve their image in faith-based communities? That's the issue we examine in today's "Culture Wars." Americans perceive Republicans far more -- quote -- "friendly to religion" -- that according to a recent Pew study. But is a new Democrat-based Web site enough to help shift the tide? Our Internet reporter, Abbi Tatton, standing by with details -- Abbi.</s>ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Wolf, the post at this new Web site today, FaithfulDemocrats.com, reads, "I am tired of politicians, partisans, and preachers spelling God G-O-P." This site is aiming to reach out to Christian Democrats. It's not affiliated with the Democratic National Committee, but it has lined up prominent Democrats to contribute posts. And it also aims to have an impact in the November elections. Now, polling shows that faithful and Democrat did not go hand in hand in recent elections. In 2004, white evangelicals made up nearly a quarter of the electorate and voted overwhelmingly for President Bush. In a recent interview that DNC Chair Howard Dean gave with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Dean emphasized that Democrats should be reaching out to faith-based communities. And he -- and, also, the DNC is putting together a faith advisory team that should be ready this month. A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee's voter outreach said -- suggested that these efforts by the Democrats might be too little, too late in this area -- Wolf.</s>BLITZER: All right, Abbi, thank you. Coming up: mourning an Australian icon. Tearful tributes are pouring in for crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, as details emerge of a possible state funeral. We will have the latest. And coming up in our next hour, we're going to show you a new study that links a father's age to a serious disability in children. Our senior medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, is standing by with details. Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.