Spitzer Pulls The Plug on Drivers Licenses For Illegals

November 14, 2007 · Filed Under Immigration, U.S. News

With his poll numbers collapsing, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer pulled the plug on his incredibly controversial plan that would have given drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.

The embattled governor made the announcement after he met with the state’s heavily Democratic congressional delegation, which had grown increasingly critical of the plan.

Spitzer aides said the decision was made because the firestorm over the issue was so fierce it was blocking the governor’s overall agenda, and there were serious concerns that various lawsuits, as well as threatened legislative action, would block the plan anyway.

Forcing the issue on the public has given the Governor his lowest approval ratings ever, with only 25% of New Yorker’s saying they would vote to re-elect him if the vote were held today.

There was also anxiety about the negative impact the issue was having on Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.