Democratic White House front-runner Hillary Clinton stood up for Gov. Spitzer’s efforts to pull illegal immigrants “out of the shadows” – but stopped short of backing his controversial plan to grant them driver’s licenses.
Clinton told a newspaper in New Hampshire, home to the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, that Spitzer’s got the right idea.
“I know exactly what Gov. Spitzer’s trying to do and it makes a lot of sense, because he’s trying to get people out of the shadows,” Clinton told the editorial board of the Nashua Telegraph. “He’s trying to say, ‘Okay, come forward and we will give you this license.'”
Spitzer has faced strong opposition – even from many fellow Democrats – for proposing to grant licenses to undocumented residents, insisting it will help track criminals and improve road safety.
A recent Siena poll showed an overwhelming 72% of New Yorkers oppose Spitzer’s plan.
Clinton was careful to say immigration – which has become an explosive issue in the 2008 race – must be addressed on a national level.
“I mean, this can’t work state-by-state. It has to be looked at comprehensively,” said the former First Lady, who applauded President Bush for attempting immigration reform.
Team Spitzer, which has faulted federal failures in dealing with immigration, welcomed the positive – if tempered – support from Clinton.
“We are gratified that many state leaders understand the security value of bringing people out of the shadows and into the system,” said spokeswoman Christine Anderson.
