Winning the Immigration Issue

Methodology The Benenson Strategy Group conducted 1,236 telephone interviews of likely voters in 19 States that represent the battleground on the issue of illegal immigration. Interviews were conducted between May 9th and May 17th, 2006 The Benenson Strategy Group conducted 1,236 telephone interviews of likely voters in 19 States that represent the battleground on the issue of illegal immigration. Interviews were conducted between May 9th and May 17th, 2006 An over-sample was also completed with an additional 118 African Americans and 100 Hispanics. Combined with the core study this provided a total sample size of 218 African Americans and 164 Hispanics

Winning the Immigration Debate I. Six Key Insights II. Three Arguments to Win III. The Message

Insight #1: Don’t Confuse Support with Popularity ä83% to 15% support Senate bill with explicit path to citizenship ä60% say “good goal to deport all illegal immigrants” (51% Hispanics)

Insight #2:Fairness to Taxpayers Trumps Justice and Compassion ä57% to 37% say “mostly good people” ä67% to 30% say illegal immigrants “are a burden” äDon’t pay fair share in taxes is 2nd highest concern ä“Fair to taxpayers” is top voter goal

Insight #3:Party Labels Matter äDem Baggage: Pro Illegal-Immigrant, Good for America, Deserves Rights and Benefits äDem Asset: Practical Solutions äRepub Baggage: Mean-spirited äRepub Assets: Tough on Border, Defender of Taxpayer

Insight #4:You Can Align Voter Goals with Progressive Messaging äTough on Border: 87% all 74% Hispanics äFair to Taxpayers: 90% all 89% Hispanics äPractical Solution: 89% all 88% Hispanics – Rule of Law: 91% all 88% Hispanics

Insight #5:Highlight Washington/Bush Failures äEnforcement down 30+% äEmployer sanctions rare – Border apprehensions down by a half-million per year – 4 criminal cases against employers – Over 100 years to deport those already here äIllegal Immigration Exploded Under Bush

Hispanic goals for reform same as other voters Insight #6: Hispanics Much Like General Population 67% say illegal immigration is a serious issue Don’t pay taxes/Burden on social services top concern 51% support deportation goal

Winning the three Arguments

Three Arguments to Win 1.Fairness to taxpayers 3.Assignment of blame – for current problem/ failure to solve it 2.Why are they here – Jobs or Benefits?

Argument #1: Fairness to Taxpayers Your Solution: äRequires Illegal Immigrants to Pay Back Taxes äTurns Illegal Immigrants into Taxpayers Going Forward äMakes Businesses Pay Wage Taxes they Routinely Avoid

Argument #1: Fairness to Taxpayers Their Solution: äFails to Effectively Deal with the 12 Million Already Here äCalls for the Impractical and Expensive Mass Deportation of 12 Million People äProvides No Incentives for Illegal Immigrants to Pay Back and Future Taxes

Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits Your Solution: äGoes after Businesses that Hire Illegal Labor äShuts Down the Shadow Economy. äRestores the Rule of Law

Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits Their Solution äDoes not Eliminate the Shadow Economy that Feeds Off of Illegal Immigrant Labor äDestined to Fail Because it Leaves Unscrupulous Businesses Alone äFails to Address the Root Cause of Illegal Immigration - Jobs

Argument #3: Who’s at Fault? Responsibility and Accountability We Are in this Situation because: äA Conspiracy of Failure and Neglect between Bush, GOP Congress, and Unscrupulous Business äEnforcement Sham I – 99% drop in employer sanctions. äEnforcement Sham II – 30% drop in border enforcement

The Message: Tough, Fair and Practical äTough – Tough at the Border äFair – Fair to Taxpayers äPractical – Restores the Rule of Law by Practically Dealing with the Problem