Red-state Senate Democrats lying low on immigration debate so far

Complicating matters: Landrieu, Baucus and Pryor all are up for reelection in 2014.

“I want to see the legislation; there is no legislation yet,” Baucus said earlier this week.

But McCaskill said she may be able to support a bill — when there is finally one to read — because of the group’s emphasis on border security, workplace enforcement and financial penalties for those who illegally immigrated before they can gain citizenship.

“I still stand for the proposition that there has to be a penalty for breaking the law,” she said. “How that is drafted and what status they are given, and when, and how they go to the back of the line — the practical impact of that is something I’m going to look at before I say yea or nay.”…

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), who is up for reelection in 2014, said his initial impressions were positive. But, like the rest of his colleagues running for office, his concerns were local.