On CNN tonight, RNC Chairman Michael Steele addressed Arizona’s controversial new immigration law — seeming to come out both for and against it.
The law makes it a state crime to be in the U.S. illegally, and requires local law enforcement to ask for papers from anyone they reasonably suspect is in the country illegally.
First off, Steele said “the governor of Arizona acted in the best interests of the people of Arizona.” Other governors, he continued, might act differently in their own states, and “that’s why the federal action at this time is so important.”
But Steele also said he shares the concerns of Republican strategists who, as CNN’s Wolf Blitzer put it, “are worried this is going to alienate Hispanic voters.”
“I think Karl Rove is exactly right about that,” Steele said. “We need as a party to be mindful that our prior actions in this area and certainly our rhetoric in this area has not been the most welcoming and the most supportive of helping those who want to assimilate into the way of life of America.”
So what should be done?
We can create a pathway that assimilates individuals who respect and follow the rule of law, come in through the right doors, fill out the right forms, have a little pie, sing a few bars of the Star Spangled Banner and get to work.
Steele also addressed Gov. Charlie Crist’s (R-FL) reported decision to run as an independent in his state’s Senate race, saying that it’s “a real possibility” that Crist could win as an independent and that “it’s a dynamic that’s unfortunate in my view.”
And what about Steele? Is he sticking around as RNC chair?
“I enjoy my job very much,” Steele said.
