Could Jeb Bush convince conservatives on immigration?

That stance on immigration by Bush, at odds with most other GOP contenders, is one reason the former Florida governor has argued that a nominee should “lose the primary to win the general” — that is, avoid moving to the right during the primaries in ways that undercut his or her appeal with the broader electorate.

“For conservatives, if you can show the economic need for immigration, I think they can be convinced that there are steps that need to be taken,” Schlapp told USA TODAY’s weekly video newsmaker series. “Nobody’s endorsing the way it works now, but give a real economic reason for the need to pass something. They’ll be open to listening to that.”

The argument would have to protect the interests of American workers who have seen wages stagnate for a decade, he notes. And he cautions that hearing from “trade associations or CEOs” that big business needs changes in the immigration law wouldn’t be persuasive.