Popcorn: Far Left’s Call to Abolish ICE Is Making Some Democratic Pollsters Nervous

This is not a drill; abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the new rallying cry for the far left. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) called for it, as has New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who challenged and recently beat top Democrat Joe Crowley in a major upset last week has also called for it. Debra Haaland, who is the Democratic candidate for the 1stcongressional district in New Mexico, also supports abolishing the federal law enforcement agency. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) has introduced a bill abolishing ICE—and you bet Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is behind this policy push as well. Yet, while dissolving ICE may be turning into the progressive left’s latest crack cocaine addiction, Democratic pollsters are nervous that a) the position is too extreme (it is); and b) it plays right into the Republican Party’s hands (which it does) (via AXIOS):

Celinda Lake, longtime Democratic pollster, told Axios: “I worry that abolishing ICE tips the issues from humane treatment to security. The Republicans are already trying to move the issue in that direction.”

Lake added: “Voters believe we need some enforcement of border security — not just for immigration, but for security. I wish we were pushing this to: ‘We need comprehensive immigration reform.'”

Republicans are rejoicing at the notion of a new litmus test for Democrats, especially ones who have presidential ambitions in 2020.

Alex Castellanos, longtime adviser to top Republicans, said Dems are making the mistake his own party made after losing to Barack Obama: “[W]e became so weak, marginalizing ourselves to such an extreme, that an outsider business guy who had never run for office before, extinguished us all.”

(Read more from “Popcorn: Far Left’s Call to Abolish Ice Is Making Some Democratic Pollsters Nervous” HERE)

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