Talk Business reports on a poll out from the anti-immigration group Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). The poll finds that 60 percent of Arkansans oppose the immigration reform bill being pushed by the so-called “Gang of Eight,” a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators. A few caveats: the questions kind of veer into push-poll territory and a good chunk of the respondents weren’t familiar with the legislation, which is in any case continually evolving.
That said, if the bill actually goes anywhere, I suspect the core finding is about right in terms of opposition in the state. Which is one of many reasons that immigration reform may be doomed this year. Sen. Mark Pryor is going to be in the political fight of his life and this seems like a pretty clear opportunity for him to distance himself from Obama and his party. National Review last week noted the political dynamic for Pryor in a roundup of senators that would be key votes if the bill is to pass.
Of course, Pryor might simply look at the issue and try to make the best decision, political consequences be damned. Just kidding.