Howard Witt notes in this morning’s Trib that immigration has not been as much of a hot button issue so far as most would have expected. Putting aside the fact that Witt continues use the descriptor “anti-immigration” activist, instead of “anti-illegal immigration” activist, he does a pretty good job explaining how the various constituencies don’t necessarily line up along normal party lines. This has been the problem all along for those who are motivated by the issue: that their biggest allies are not the Republican Party, but the union Democrats.

Moreover, Witt notes that the issue is driving up support for Democrats in the Hispanic community. But will this support hold up in the fall when McCain takes on Obama? (or Hillary?) If you’re an immigrant with strong feelings on immigration policy you really have to be asking yourself, who can best represent you? A Republican criticized by his own party for being soft on the issue? Or a Democrat bought and paid for by the unions? It’s a hard question for sure and it will be interesting to see how they decide.