The Left’s reaction to Arizona’s new immigration law, SB 1070, was as predictable as it is hysterical. Liberals, lying in wait to portray conservatives as racist and mean-spirited rather than debate them on the issues, recognize 1070 as a perfect take-off point to accuse Republicans of racism and xenophobia. Take, for instance, Linda Greenhouse’s column, Breathing While Undocumented, in today’s New York Times’ online opinion page. Greenhouse proposes Arizonans wear “I Could Be Illegal” buttons, referencing King Christian X of Denmark who, according to legend at least, thwarted a Nazi order that Danish Jews identify themselves with star-emblazoned armbands by wearing an armband himself and encouraging non-Jewish Danes to do so. The analogy between residents of Arizona who might be asked to prove their legal status in order to remain in the state and Danish citizens in imminent danger of being hauled off to concentration camps is absurd. While flawed, 1070 does not, as East Coast liberals would have you believe, turn Arizona into a police state.
That said, the national discussion about Arizona’s new law, dominating the media for five days now and showing no sign of abating, could harm the Republican brand. Republicans have the wind behind their backs and need to keep the public, especially independent voters, focused on their primary objectives – - replacing Democrats and putting a stop to this administration’s unprecedented expansion of government and out-of-control spending. While polls show 70 percent of Arizonans support 1070, and the Brewer vs. Obama dynamic undoubtedly boosts Governor Brewer’s ratings, the nation as a whole isn’t focused on the legitimate and pressing concerns of Arizonans.
Amy H Laff is a StateBrief.com partner. A graduate of Univ of Penn and Stanford Law School, Amy practiced law and mediation on the east coast before relocating to the Valley, where she founded and chairs the AZ chapter of the Republican Jewish Coalition. Amy makes frequent media appearances, including AZ Law Channel and Tony Katz Radio Spectacular. Additionally, she works with companies and candidates on branding and communication. 
SB 1070′s authors are as hysterical as they are predictable. And you really ought to update your stats: Since the bill has become law, support has dropped from 70% to 60% in the same Rasmussen poll.
If illegal immigration is so important, why did Republicans in Congress vote down GW Bush’s attempts to rein it in? Why did they wait until illegal immigration was down 20% due to the economy and increased enforcement? Why didn’t Brewer order national guard troops to the border like Napolitano did?
The only reason this has been brought forward this year is to energize the lunatic right and keep the Tea Party in the Republican Party. The rest of Arizona’s voters see that punishing carpenters and maids instead of stopping armed criminals will have no effect on securing the border, stopping Mexican drug gangs and coyotes, and improving America’s economy.