A new poll from Rasmussen puts support for the Arizona immigration bill just signed into law at 70%.
1* Do you favor or oppose legislation that authorizes local police to stop and verify the immigration status of anyone they suspect of being an illegal immigrant?
70% Favor 23% Oppose 6% Not sure
Moreover:
Eighty-four percent (84%) of Arizona Republicans and 69% of voters not affiliated with either major party in the state favor the new get-tough legislation. Democrats are more closely divided: 51% like the new law, but 43% oppose it.
I support this bill because it assists us in identifying illegal immigrants, which is necessary to take reasonable steps forward. I do have some serious reservations about our broader immigration policy. I do not, not, believe this is a racist bill. No provision mentions how anyone looks. If I thought it was racist I would say send it straight to the fireplace!
Those claiming that this bill is going to inspire a big political backlash similar to the one Proposition 187 may have in California may not be aware of its greater popularity in Arizona, that Arizona is more conservative, and that its Hispanic population is more divided over illegal immigration.