New York Democrats say Spitzer driver's license issue had little effect on election

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: New York Democrats Say License Issue Had Little Effect
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Published: November 7, 2007

Democrats declared yesterday that Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants had not proved to be the electoral boon Republicans had hoped for in local elections, despite the Republicans’ aggressive efforts to exploit overwhelming public opposition to the proposal.

Though Democrats appeared to expand their majority in the Legislature in Suffolk County, Republicans were not ready to concede a pivotal Nassau County legislative race, and pointed to significant victories in several county races upstate as evidence of a Republican resurgence in the state.

In most of those areas where Mr. Spitzer’s licensing proposal moved to the forefront of the campaign, Democrats were able to cauterize the issue by publicly breaking with the governor, harshly criticizing the plan and in some cases threatening to join lawsuits challenging it.

And Mr. Spitzer, whose poll numbers have slipped as a result of the issue, played a muted role on the stump, a sharp contrast to his highly visible efforts during the 2006 campaign and during a State Senate special election last winter.

In many parts of the state, turnout appeared to be even lower than usual for an off-year election, despite Republican hopes that the licensing issue would drive Republican voters to the polls....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/nyregion/07license.html

[incapsulated]

1. People here may oppose it in theory

But they really don't care enough to cross party lines or even drag themselves to the polls over it.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. See similar report from Virginia --

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3692704

[incapsulated]

3. It's good news for the Dems

Because the republicans were hoping this was going to be their "wedge issue" in 2008. Looks like it's not turning out as expected.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Very encouraging. nt

[incapsulated]

5. It's mainly a dumb move by Spitzer

And he alone will pay the price. He has been very disappointing so far and managed to create a (unrelated) scandal within months of swearing in. How he thought this would help is beyond me.

[BootinUp]

6. His background is law enforement

he probably has personal convictions on the issue.

[w4rma]

7. You can bet it didn't help Democrats. The gains may have been larger. (nt)

[DeepModem Mom]

8. a.m. kick