TALK TOUGH OR BE REALISTIC? MAYBE A LITTLE OF BOTH?

Republican candidates for the 13th Congressional District seat being vacated by incumbant Katherine Harris are feeling the divisions within the GOP over the issue of immigration, according to Sarasota Herald Tribune political beat writer Jeremy Wallace. So they're doing their best to satisify both sides.

He notes that while Vern Buchanan's campaign advertising boldly announces "We Must Secure Our Borders", and while Tramm Hudson begins conversations about more border patrol agents and equipment to better secure the border, they both talk against coming down too hard on those aliens already here doing jobs that many employers --- especially in service and agricultrual industries --- have difficulty filling.

As a matter of fact, all seven candidates --- four Republicans, three Democrats --- talk about the need for better security on the border, but they generally realize that picking up all the illegal immigrants already here and sending them home would be 1) political suicide, with the growing Latino population and it's increasing influence, and 2) potentially devestating for the economy in many areas, especially in Florida.