Bush's forum on immigration takes advantage of friendly turf

[Omaha Steve]

Published Wednesday
June 7, 2006

Bush's forum on immigration takes advantage of friendly turf

BY JAKE THOMPSON


WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Why is President Bush bringing his immigration road show to Omaha?

The answer, political observers say, may involve a complex calculation:

To highlight contributions of Nebraska's rising immigrant population. To show illegal immigration isn't just a border-state problem.

To offer a political thank you. To prod a trio of House lawmakers.

And to speak in one of the reddest of red states where, based on his past visits, Bush is likely to receive at least a respectful response on an emotional issue.

With Bush leading an unpopular war in Iraq and championing controversial immigration law changes, the White House has become very careful about where he speaks, said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato.

"They have to find a place where the audience will respond well, where some untoward incidents are unlikely to occur," Sabato said Monday. "And Nebraskans are polite and friendly."

Nebraskans seem unlikely to heckle the president en masse, although protesters are expected to show up outside the south campus of Omaha's Metropolitan Community College where the president is scheduled to speak after touring the Juan Diego Center.

Nebraska, where about half of registered voters are Republicans, is one of the safest states he could drop in on, say political scientists and observers.

Nebraskans like him, and he likes them, says Mark Quandahl, the state GOP chairman.


President Bush waves as he exits Air Force One at Eppley Airfield Tuesday evening.

"He's a person most Nebraskans can identify with, as far as his values, his manner of speaking and how he treats people," Quandahl said.

Steve Achelpohl, Nebraska Democratic Party chairman, noted that while many Nebraskans are divided about the immigration issue and may disagree with Bush, they generally are "supportive of him, and he must recognize it's a friendly place."

It apparently isn't as friendly as it was in 2004, when Bush captured 66 percent of the state's presidential vote compared to 33 percent by Democratic challenger John Kerry.

Full story (free registration required) http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2184345

[justice1]

1. I liked Hagels response on why Bush is visiting Omaha.

With his numbers where are you going to go? Off shore? Are you going to go to Samoa to talk about illegal immigration reform?

[sutz12]

2. When does this coward ever venture onto unfriendly turf?

:evilgrin: