Julian Zelizer : 2012 was a year of bitter domestic battles , turbulence overseas . He says the weakness of GOP , renewed strength of liberalism were apparent . Zelizer says the year also highlighted the influence of new immigrants in America . Zelizer : The new immigrants are a powerful political and social force : As was the case in the turn of the twentieth century when Eastern and Southern Europeans came into this county , massive waves of immigration are remaking the social fabric of the nation . " The most important thing about this election is that it has exposed how much more powerful and influential immigration can be than many people realize.
Julian Zelizer : 2012 was a year of bitter domestic battles , turbulence overseas . He says the weakness of GOP , renewed strength of liberalism were apparent . Zelizer says the year also highlighted the influence of new immigrants in America . Zelizer : " The most important thing about this election is that it has exposed how much more powerful and influential immigration can be than many people realize.