NY Governor Eliot Spitzer Abandons Plan to Issue Driver’s Licenses to Illegal Immigrants

The Governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer, appears to have abandoned his plan to give driver licenses to illegal aliens. However, his controversial plan may have already done its damage to Democrats. Illegal immigration is the new third rail of politics. If politicians do not think that their position of illegal immigration does not matter, they better rethink that notion.

Eliot Spitzer was just elected governor with about 70% of the vote. Now his favorability rating to an all-time low of 41% and  25% of voters planning to re-elect him. For Hillary Clinton and her disastrous last debate discussing the drivers license issue, maybe that can explain the tightening polls in Iowa.

The governor’s office signaled to New York lawmakers Tuesday that Spitzer will say at the meeting that he is shelving the plan and that immigration is a federal issue to be handled by Washington, according to congressional aides who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement had been made.

Last month, Spitzer sought to salvage the license effort by striking a deal with the Department of Homeland Security to create three distinct types of state driver’s licenses: one “enhanced” that will be as secure as a passport; a second-tier license good for boarding airplanes; and a third marked not valid for federal purposes that would be available to illegal immigrants and others.

Clinton has been criticized by her Democratic and Republican rivals for her noncommittal answers on the subject. She has said she sympathizes with governors like Spitzer who are forced to confront the issue of immigration because the federal government has not enacted immigration reform. She has not taken a position on the actual plan offered by Spitzer. (Yahoo News)

The flap over driver licenses to illegals has also spilled over in to the Hillary Clinton campaign, where she has still yet to take a position on the matter. As Blue Crab Boulevard states regarding Spitzer, His antics may well have damaged the Democrats as well … especially Hillary. Others discussing Eliot Spitzer’s colassal blunder:

• Michelle Malkin: Spitzercolossal cuts and runs from his illegal alien license plan
• Rhymes with Right: Spitzer Backs Off Licenses For Illegals
• Hot Air: Political genius: Spitzer’s re-elect number drops to 25%
• PoliPundit: Spitzer Shelving DL For Illegals

UPDATE I: Clinton says no to licenses for illegals

Hillary Clinton takes yet another stance on drivers licenses for illegals. Which way is the wind blowing today Hillary? Did Hillary call heads or tails? Is this what anyone really wants as President?

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday came out against granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, after weeks of pressure in the presidential race to take a position on a now-failed ID plan from her home state governor.

Clinton has faced criticism from candidates in both parties for her noncommittal answers on New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s attempt to allow illegal immigrants in his state to receive driver’s licenses. Spitzer abandoned the effort Wednesday.