Reid to capitalize on Arizona law by accelerating immigration push

Graham has backed away from immigration in recent days, torpedoing the expected unveiling of an energy measure, and saying he is unlikely to support comprehensive reform without doing a border security bill first. The negotiations have also run headlong into increasingly heated electoral politics and an inflammatory law in Arizona. Reid is facing a tough reelection fight at home — and his political fate could rest on Hispanic turnout, sure to increase if he is viewed as the key backer of comprehensive immigration reform.

Many see pure politics in Reid’s push on immigration.

“Those negotiations are going well, but they certainly weren’t going on a fast track. And then Arizona happens, and even before this, the Democrats were feeling pressure from the left to move more quickly,” said a business lobbyist involved in the negotiations. “Is Reid really doing it just because he thinks it’s going to help in the election? Or is he doing it to embarrass the Republicans going into 2010 even though a bill won’t pass? I guess he is.”