Obama Has A License Issue Too

Posted at 11:48 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2007, in Uncategorized, and tagged 2008.

At the last debate, it was Hillary Clinton that tripped-up over the driver-licenses-for-illegals-thing (which I feel would be a good thing, and at least one city gets it), thanks in part to Barack Obama, and tonight — you guessed it — the junior senator from Illinois…

MR. BLITZER: All right. I want to just press you on this point because it’s a logical follow-up, and then I want to go and ask everyone. On the issue that apparently tripped up Senator Clinton earlier, the issue of driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, I take it, Senator Obama, you support giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. Is that right?

SEN. OBAMA: When I was a state senator in Illinois, I voted to require that illegal aliens get trained, get a license, get insurance to protect public safety. (Scattered applause.) That was my intention. And — but I have to make sure that people understand the problem we have here is not drivers licenses. Undocumented workers don’t come here to drive. (Laughter.) They don’t go — they’re not coming here to go to the In-N-Out Burger. That’s not the reason they’re here. They’re here to work. And so instead of being distracted by what has now become a wedge issue, let’s focus on actually solving the problem that –

MR. BLITZER: All right.

SEN. OBAMA: — this administration, the Bush administration, has done nothing about.

MR. BLITZER: Well, let’s go through everybody because I want to be precise. I want to make sure the viewers and those of us who are here fully understand all of your positions on this.

Barring, avoiding, assuming there isn’t going to be comprehensive immigration reform, do you support or oppose drivers licenses for illegal immigrants?

SEN. OBAMA: I am not proposing that that’s what we do. What I’m saying is that we can’t — (interrupted by laughter). No, no, no, no, look, I have already said I support the notion that we have to deal with public safety and that drivers licenses at the state level can make that happen. But what I also –

MR. BLITZER: All right.

SEN. OBAMA: But what I also know, Wolf, is that if we keep on getting distracted by this problem, then we are not solving it.

MR. BLITZER: But — because this is the kind of question that is sort of available for a yes or no answer. (Laughter, cheers, applause.) Either you support it or you oppose it.

A straight answer, Mr. Senator?

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