Schwarzenegger Warns GOP Hopefuls

As the presidential primaries move into super Tuesday on February 5, will immigration remain a central issue, especially in California? Can candidate positions on immigration influence California voters in a particular direction? Governor Scharzenegger thinks GOP candidates should be careful about attempting to exploit the issue.

Ruben Navarrette Jr. writes in the San Jose Mercury News:

Republicans love to talk about immigrants.

Rudy Giuliani has promised to end illegal immigration in three years. Mike Huckabee has a plan that calls for 12 million illegal immigrants to leave the country in 120 days. And Mitt Romney says things that please restrictionists, and yet many can’t figure out if he believes what he says.

Now for real insight, let’s turn to a Republican who is also an immigrant. With the California primary approaching on Feb. 5, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has advice for Republican presidential hopefuls who intend to come to the Golden State and exploit the immigration issue: Don’t.

“In a way, I understand why they’re doing it,” he said, “because when it comes to close elections, it’s all about winning. It’s not about sending a good message.”

Schwarzenegger understands immigration better than just about any elected official in the country, from a policy perspective and a personal one. And he has a lot to say. Click here for the full story.

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