When , the host asked: “Isn’t it reasonable for these conservatives to assume that you’ve been duped here?”
“No, it isn’t,” Rubio responded, “because the fact of the matter is that this bill reflects principles that I issued back in January on immigration reform that were different from the principles the president had laid out. In essence, they’ve come to our position. We haven’t gone to theirs.”
One of the main concerns of radio talk show hosts, Tea Party activists and conservative bloggers is that Rubio and other Republicans are giving away too much on an issue they believe mostly helps Democrats. …
Rubio’s office has dismissed fears that immigration reform will create a bonanza of new Democrats. Not all of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants will become citizens, they say, and an even smaller percentage will vote. And many Republicans say the right candidate with a history of doing well with Hispanics — like Rubio or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, for example — could do a lot to turn it around.
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