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Acknowledge Trump Was Right on the Border

Acknowledge Trump Was Right on the Border

Neera Tanden should have noticed that it was conservatives who have been trying to draw the distinction between legal and illegal immigration, while liberals have refused to consider them separate issues ('How Democrats Can Win on Immigration,' op-ed, July 28). She cites a poll figure that 79% of Americans believe that immigration strengthens the country, but it fails to distinguish between legal and illegal immigration.
Let's solve both the legal and illegal immigration problems, and if the Democrats want to win on immigration, they can start by recognizing that these are two separate issues.
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Republicans make gains in New Mexico voter registration, including in Santa Fe County
Republicans make gains in New Mexico voter registration, including in Santa Fe County

Yahoo

time2 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Republicans make gains in New Mexico voter registration, including in Santa Fe County

While New Mexico remains solidly blue territory, Republicans continue to make gains in the state's voter registration rolls. The GOP even added more voters in Santa Fe County, one of the most liberal and Democratic-performing areas in the state. Granted, the 5.8% year-over-year increase in registered Republicans in Santa Fe County equates to only about 1,000 voters, but it reflects a statewide trend. The number of registered Republicans across New Mexico grew from 421,653 in July 2024 to 436,647 last month, an increase of nearly 15,000 voters, according to the latest voter registration data. At the same time, Democrats lost just over 11,000 voters. Despite Republicans' gains, the proportion of voters in each major political party remains relatively flat in the state, with Democrats accounting for about 43% of the electorate and Republicans 32% — although, the GOP added a percentage point and Democrats lost one. The increase in Republican voters may reflect a Democratic Party struggling to find its message, Brian Sanderoff, an Albuquerque political analyst and respected pollster, said Monday. "I think the Democratic Party is trying to find its way, especially at the national level, and that can impact voter registration statistics," he added. The Republican Party of New Mexico started the year with the ambitious goal of registering 25,000 new voters, and Sanderoff said it has been doing a good job registering voters at the "grassroots level." The party's executive director, Leticia Muñoz, said everything the party does revolves around voter outreach. "RPNM takes great pride in the work being done by grassroots volunteers to register voters around the state over the last 5 years," she said in a statement. Muñoz also credits the commander in chief. "President [Donald] Trumps' policies continue to benefit New Mexicans greatly, which is another reason we're seeing many voters registering Republican," she said. A spokesperson for the Democratic Party of New Mexico downplayed the increase in registered Republicans. "There is a significantly smaller number of Republicans in New Mexico anyway, so any percentage change will look more dramatic than the reality of the total numbers," Daniel Garcia said in a statement. "I suppose the New Mexico GOP has to spin something to look like good news," he added. "They're obviously in a tough place trying to explain why voters should support quid pro quo immunity deals for child predator Ghislaine Maxwell and the GOP's signature accomplishment — their unpopular 'Big Beautiful Bill' that will close hospitals, eliminate health care coverage, and take away food assistance right here in New Mexico. Not to mention they'll have to explain to voters why they think tariffs, inflation, and privatizing Social Security will make us 'great again.' ' Voter registration data shows a slight increase in independent or "decline-to-state" voters, a number that grew from 315,772 to 320,988. The percentage of unaffiliated voters has been rising over the past decade and a half, a trend that will likely continue after New Mexico adopted a "semi-open primary" system, which allows voters who don't state a party affiliation to cast a ballot in a Democratic or Republican primary without changing their registration. In the state's most populous counties — Bernalillo, Doña Ana and Santa Fe, which are crucial in a statewide race — Democrats have a comfortable edge over Republicans. In those three counties combined, there are 324,152 registered Democrats and 177,070 registered Republicans. Independents are closing in on Republicans, though. The data show 168,351 "decline-to-state" voters in those three counties. Muñoz said Republicans are intent on gaining even more ground. "RPNM will continue our goal to flip New Mexico," she said, adding it's taken six to eight years to flip other blue states red. Asked whether Republicans' gains would affect the governor's race next year, Sanderoff said changes in voter registration are used to measure the direction of the state, but he noted Democrats maintain an advantage. "If you're consistently seeing Republicans make voter registration gains and Democrats stagnating on voter registration statistics, that is a barometer that one looks at to measure the political mood," he said. "It can be a predictor, but it's all relative, and you still have the lopsided voter registration edge that the Democrats have in terms of the actual numbers."

Texas governor says Dems can't do ‘anything about' GOP plans
Texas governor says Dems can't do ‘anything about' GOP plans

The Hill

time33 minutes ago

  • The Hill

Texas governor says Dems can't do ‘anything about' GOP plans

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Texas Gov. Abbott orders arrest of Democrats who fled over redistricting
Texas Gov. Abbott orders arrest of Democrats who fled over redistricting

UPI

time34 minutes ago

  • UPI

Texas Gov. Abbott orders arrest of Democrats who fled over redistricting

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the 2024 Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 17, 2024. On Monday, Abbott ordered the arrest of state Democrats who fled Texas before a vote could be taken on redistricting maps that could favor the GOP in next year's midterm elections. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the arrest Monday of House Democrats after they fled the state before a vote could be taken on proposed redistricting maps. The Democratic lawmakers fled to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts to prevent a quorum Monday afternoon and the advancement of voter maps that would benefit Republicans in next year's midterm elections. "Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans," Abbott, a Republican, said in a statement. "By fleeing the state, Texas House Democrats are holding hostage critical legislation to aid flood victims and advance property tax relief. There are consequences for dereliction of duty." "I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to locate, arrest and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans," Abbott continued. "This order will remain in effect until all missing Democrat House members are accounted for and brought to the Texas Capitol." On Monday, Texas House Republicans voted 85-to-6, authorizing the House sergeant-at-arms to arrest Democrats who fled the state in protest and prevented a quorum. According to the Texas Constitution, two-thirds of the state House must be present to conduct legislative business. The proposed congressional redistricting map, released last month, could add five new GOP congressional seats. The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas claims the maps were "designed to dilute the voting power of communities of color." In addition to facing arrest, the missing House members also face $500 daily fines for breaking quorum. Abbott said he will investigate any Democrat who solicits funds to support their effort. "Reports indicate that many absentee Texas House Democrats have solicited or received funds to evade conducting legislative business and casting votes. Under the Texas Penal Code, any of those Democrats who solicit, accept or agree to accept such funds to assist in the violation of legislative duties or for purposes of skipping a vote may have violated bribery laws," Abbott said. "Also, it could be a bribery violation for any other person who offers, provides or agrees to provide such funds to fleeing Democrat House members." The Texas House Democratic Caucus issued their response Monday to Abbott's threat, saying, "Come and take it." Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu told reporters in Illinois that it was within their moral responsibility to leave the state. "We're not here to have fun. We're not here because it is easy, and we did not make the decision to come here today lightly," Wu said. "But we come here today with absolute moral clarity that this is absolutely the right thing to do to protect the people of the state of Texas." The Texas House is scheduled to reconvene Tuesday at 1 p.m., local time. The current special session is scheduled to end on Aug. 19. Texas state Rep. John Bucy said Democrats are "not running away" but instead "running into the fight." "Look, I didn't run for office to walk out of the Capitol, but I also didn't run for office to stand by while democracy is stolen in broad daylight," Bucy said from Illinois. "Texas Democrats broke quorum because sometimes, the only way to uphold your oath is to refuse to play along with a rigged game."

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