The Wedge Issue that Doesn't Split

Republicans, trying to deal with the political nightmare of the Bush Presidency, thought they had a wedge issue the size of Texas going into the 2008 campaigns: illegal immigration. But election returns from a red state, Virginia, show that the issue may not have the effect Republicans hoped. Governor Timothy Kaine (D) declared victory on Tuesday night in legislative races. Vote counts from crucial Fairfax County indicated that the Democrats had seized control of the state Senate and made historic gains--five seats--in the House of Delegates. The state Senate had been under Republican control since 1997. Republican candidates attempted to focus the debate on immigration fears, but apparently their scare tactics did not work this time. Fairfax County, a heavily populated and wealthy exurb of Washington DC, has many Latino workers in low paying jobs. While immigration is a concern to white conservative voters, their concern did not outweigh their dissatisfaction with Republicans of all stripes or their need for inexpensive labor. Take that, Carl Rove!