winning the immigration issue. methodology the benenson strategy group conducted 1,236 telephone...
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Winning the Immigration IssueWinning the Immigration Issue
MethodologyMethodology
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
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
Winning the Immigration Debate
I. Six Key Insights
II. Three Arguments to Win
III. The Message
Insight #1: Don’t Confuse Support with PopularityInsight #1: Don’t Confuse Support with Popularity
83% to 15% support Senate bill with explicit path to citizenship
60% say “good goal to deport all illegal immigrants” (51% Hispanics)
Insight #2: Fairness to Taxpayers Trumps Justice and Compassion
Insight #2: Fairness to Taxpayers Trumps Justice and Compassion
57% to 37% say “mostly good people”
67% to 30% say illegal immigrants “are a burden”
Don’t pay fair share in taxes is 2nd highest concern
“Fair to taxpayers” is top voter goal
Insight #3: Party Labels MatterInsight #3: Party Labels Matter
Dem Baggage: Pro Illegal-Immigrant, Good for America, Deserves Rights and Benefits
Dem Asset: Practical Solutions
Repub Baggage: Mean-spirited
Repub Assets: Tough on Border, Defender of Taxpayer
Insight #4: You Can Align Voter Goals with Progressive Messaging
Insight #4: You Can Align Voter Goals with Progressive Messaging
Tough on Border: 87% all 74% Hispanics
Fair to Taxpayers: 90% all 89% Hispanics
Practical Solution: 89% all 88% Hispanics
– Rule of Law: 91% all 88%
Hispanics
Insight #5: Highlight Washington/Bush Failures
Insight #5: Highlight Washington/Bush Failures
Enforcement down 30+%
Employer sanctions rare
– Border apprehensions down by a half-million per year
– 4 criminal cases against employers
– Over 100 years to deport those already here
Illegal Immigration Exploded Under Bush
Hispanic goals for reform same as other votersHispanic goals for reform same as other voters
Insight #6: Hispanics Much Like General Population
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
Winning the three Arguments
Three Arguments to WinThree Arguments to Win
1. Fairness to taxpayers1. Fairness to taxpayers
3. Assignment of blame – for current problem/failure to solve it
3. Assignment of blame – for current problem/failure to solve it
2. Why are they here – Jobs or Benefits?2. Why are they here – Jobs or Benefits?
Argument #1: Fairness to TaxpayersArgument #1: Fairness to Taxpayers
Your Solution:
Requires Illegal Immigrants to Pay Back Taxes
Turns Illegal Immigrants into Taxpayers Going Forward
Makes Businesses Pay Wage Taxes they Routinely Avoid
Argument #1: Fairness to TaxpayersArgument #1: Fairness to Taxpayers
Their Solution:
Fails to Effectively Deal with the 12 Million Already Here
Calls for the Impractical and Expensive Mass Deportation of 12 Million People
Provides No Incentives for Illegal Immigrants to Pay Back and Future Taxes
Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits
Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits
Your Solution:
Goes after Businesses that Hire Illegal Labor
Shuts Down the Shadow Economy.
Restores the Rule of Law
Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits
Argument #2: Why are they here? Jobs vs. Benefits
Their Solution
Does not Eliminate the Shadow Economy that Feeds Off of Illegal Immigrant Labor
Destined to Fail Because it Leaves Unscrupulous Businesses Alone
Fails to Address the Root Cause of Illegal Immigration - Jobs
Argument #3: Who’s at Fault? Responsibility and Accountability
Argument #3: Who’s at Fault? Responsibility and Accountability
We Are in this Situation because:
A Conspiracy of Failure and Neglect between Bush, GOP Congress, and Unscrupulous Business
Enforcement Sham I – 99% drop in employer sanctions.
Enforcement Sham II – 30% drop in border enforcement
The Message: Tough, Fair and PracticalThe Message: Tough, Fair and Practical
Tough – Tough at the Border
Fair – Fair to Taxpayers
Practical – Restores the Rule of Law by Practically Dealing with the Problem