Jose Diaz-Balart Insists Immigration Reform Is ‘Toxic’ Among GOP Voters

DIAZ-BALART: “And the debate over how to fix the nation’s broken immigration system, it’s not going away. As we have been telling you all morning, a federal judge has temporarily blocked President Obama’s executive action on immigration that was set to start taking affect tomorrow. That not only sets up a showdown between the White House and the 26 states suing the administration, but also reignites the debate within the GOP. One Republican in particular, Jeb Bush, has come under fire from some members of his own party for his support of immigration reform. Joining me, David Catanese of U.S. News & World Report. Dave, what a pleasure to see you.”
CATANESE: “Good to see you too, Jose.”
DIAZ-BALART: “So on the issue of immigration, among Republicans who are probably running for president, is it really kind of Bush and everybody else?…
The problem is that it’s so toxic in the primary atmosphere to be for any kind of comprehensive immigration reform, or how about just immigration reform, period ...
And Robert I want to start with you. How can Jeb survive a Republican primary with him being supportive of immigration reform? Is it possible?”
TRAYNHAM: “Well, no it’s not impossible, Jose. And good morning. First of all, let me say I take a little issue with the question, and that is to assume that Republican primary voters are not for immigration reform.”
DIAZ-BALART: “Well, but look at the polls. Look at the polls. I mean, the polls show that in Iowa, New Hampshire, the majority of voters that are Republicans think that immigration reform is toxic.”