The South vs the West

The real Republican split on immigration is a geographical one, Ryan Sager argues. Money quote:

Back in December of 2005, Survey USA tracked views on immigration in all 50 states. In West Virginia, 60 percent of respondents agreed that "immigrants take jobs away from Americans." The picture was the same throughout most of the South: In Alabama, 56 percent agreed, Arkansas 53 percent, Mississippi 53 percent, South Carolina 53 percent.

Meanwhile, only 33 percent in New Mexico agreed that immigrants take away American jobs. In Arizona it was 42 percent, Colorado 44 percent, Nevada 44 percent and California 30 percent.

The South is a very difficult base to manage. Like a cuckoo, it tends to kick other allies out of the nest, be it a Democratic nest in the past or the Republican nest now.