Governors Split on Border Plan

The four border state governors had a split reaction to President Bush's plan to deploy National Guard troops to the border:

Among the most important voices will be those of the governors of the four states abutting the southern border: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California. It falls to them to make the plan for deploying the guard work.

Administration officials said governors would have to ask for the Guard troops, and are free to decline them. And, officials said governors would often have to ask for National Guard troops from fellow governors in nonborder states, who could also say no.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, a Republican, called the plan a "Band-Aid solution" in a statement Monday night and complained that he had not been fully consulted.

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a Democrat, said the plan fell short. "The president is putting the onus on border governors to work out the details and resolve the problems with this plan," Mr. Richardson said in a statement.

Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, a Democrat, was generally supportive the plan. . Gov. Rick Perry of Texas also voiced support.

Arnold's facing a tough relection in a state with a population that's increasingly hispanic, so I don't expect too much in the way of aggressive border control from him. I'm guessing he'll just do his best to blame the Feds for the lack of direct support, and will basically leave things as they are.

I'm not sure the president hit the themes he really needed to hit to reassure people that he's serious about illegal immigration. Many have described it an attempt to run right down the middle, which is pretty much assured to satisfy no one.

If the president thinks this speech will put out the immigration fire, I'm afraid he'll be very disappointed.