McCaskill's "No Amnesty" Pledge

Sen. Jim Talent attacked Claire McCaskill repeatedly for supporting "amnesty for illegal immigrants," during the 2006 campaign.

McCaskill repeatedly fired back that she would never support amnesty. She ran an ad saying, "Let me tell you what I believe in . . . No amnesty for illegal immigrants."

Now as McCaskill heads to the U.S. Senate, she may face piercing pressure and a difficult choice on the touchy topic of immigration policy.

The Los Angeles Times reports:

"Democrats presented a largely united front on immigration this year, providing crucial support for a measure that would have allowed illegal immigrants to gain citizenship -- a bill critics attacked as "amnesty." But as the party prepares to take power on Capitol Hill in January, tensions are surfacing over this provision and other aspects of the complex debate."

"Although Democratic leaders insist that rewriting immigration law is a priority, they acknowledge that building consensus on how to do that will be tricky. They must deal with competing camps within the party and address concerns raised by core constituencies -- hurdles that could block passage of a final bill. "

"McCaskill and a slew of incoming House Democrats took stands that, in the shorthand of campaign rhetoric, seemed more conservative on immigration issues than the positions staked out by the party's congressional stalwarts."

If an immigration bill comes to the floor, it will surely be an early test for McCaskill, on whether she decides to compromise with Democratic leaders and what she defines as amnesty.