Briefing 03.06.08
From the Desk of Steve Elliott

Illegal Alien Crisis Crippling Border Counties

A study by an organization representing border counties is estimating that the unreimbursed cost to border counties of incarcerating illegal aliens totals $200 million per year. See the press release. Lou Dobbs' show reported that counties receive less than 5 cents on the dollar of such costs. By the way, Dobbs just launched a new daily talk radio show.

McCain not attracting evangelicals
Exit polling from Tuesday's primaries reveals that John McCain is still not attracting evangelicals. In fact, evangelicals were the only group that did not go for McCain. In Texas, McCain lost to Huck 49-42 among evangelicals. In Ohio, McCain lost 48-45. This shows that McCain still has quite a bit of work to do to get the base behind him. One pro-family leader warns that values voters "are not mobilized right now." And isn't it interesting that ithe evangelicals --who received the most criticism from Rush et. al. during the primaries -- are the last group to hold out against McCain. (By the way, the best resource I've found for primary and exit polling results is at MSNBC. Just click on a state.)

Don't forget the Senate
NR's John Miller offers an excellent breakdown of the key Senate races with a warning that the GOP could easily lose five seats in the Senate this year and drop from 49 to 44.

Given the prospects of an Obama or Clinton White House, losing those five votes could prove more pivotal than losing the White House. That means Dems would only need to find four liberal Republicans to have a filibuster-proof majority. One state to watch: Virginia where a popular ex-governor Mark Warner seeks to take the seat from retiring John Warner (no relation). Mark is popular enough to help move VA from red to blue in the presidential race.

Michelle Obama continues to attack America
After recent comments indicating she was "for the first time" proud to be an American (the quote: "for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country."), Michelle Obama was quoted this week in New Yorker magazine saying America is "just downright mean" and "guided by fear," and warned "don't get sick in America." Meanwhile, on Tuesday night her husband shouted "Si Se Puede!" (the Latino rally cry "Yes We Can") and called out America's "bullying" foreign policy (video). Of course, we're supposed to give Barack a free pass and Michelle a free pass for their comments. But these comments will translate into bad presidential leadership -- "Blame America First" foreign policy. Case in point, see Grassfire's analysis of Obama's Global Poverty Act which is based on the preposterous presupposition that WE are to blame for global terror.

Also on the WEb:

Obama's Messianic Politics (National Review)
Novak: Why Hillary isn't dead
CA appeals court ruling puts homeschoolers at risk
DHS says norther border at risk
Not so fast on global cooling report