The last two attempts at Comprehensive Immigration Reform died in the US Senate. As the issue resurges, and it repeatedly will until the current system is reformed, it is most helpful to have as many independent-minded supporters of CIR as possible in both Houses of Congress. I always found Senator Specter to be a moderate Republican on the issue of immigration as were Senator McCain and Senator Graham. The conservative base of the Republican party, to its peril, tends to demonize and alienate anyone who supports a workable solution to our immigration crisis. It is tough for a politician to simultaneously vote in favor of a legalization program for the undocumented and be a respected conservative in this age of trash talk radion and cable “news” shows.
