California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (shown campaigning with a stuffed burro on Olvera Street in Los Angeles) is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Jerry Brown, who famously recommended the canoe strategy for politicians, i.e. “paddle to the left, paddle to the right.”

Just a month ago the governator repudiated his support for Prop 187, the 1994 initiative passed by 59% of voters which would have ended taxpayer-funded welfare for illegal aliens. Now he is pretending to support borders and immigration enforcement, like his statement of appeasement to Hispanic media never happened.

“We must … strengthen our borders and reform our broken immigration system in a comprehensive way,” Schwarzenegger said to an audience of 650 Republican activists at the state GOP convention.

While noting that America is a nation of immigrants, Schwarzenegger said “we are a nation of laws, and we will continue to insist that the federal government gets its act together, does its job, and secures our borders once and for all.” [ Governor speaks to GOP right; San Francisco Chronicle, August 20, 2006]

“Comprehensive” is a curious word choice (reported by several sources) since its use normally indicates support for the massive amnesty the President and Senate want. It’s odd he would use that term at all in front of a California Republican audience. Was he being arrogant or just having a pre-senior lapse? Your choice.

A Minuteman group in San Diego is holding frequent demonstrations, and someone from the loony left named Diane is out there too, dogging them with her camera: “Minutemen Swarming San Diego Day Labor Sites” . Diane writes, in a note below her photos, “I take my camera to document improprieties–and there are plenty–but I’m not certain that large counter-demonstrations at the labor sites would benefit the workers.”

So it’s fun to glance at the photos and see what — in her extensive documentation — gives Diane the vapors. Someone I know (heh-heh) named Stanley has provided Diane with commentary [scroll down] on this. It’s anyone’s guess whether Stanley’s comments will remain posted at the site, but, in any event, you might enjoy adding your own.

CNN reports:

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) — Democrats agreed to shake up tradition Saturday by wedging Nevada between Iowa’s leadoff caucuses and the New Hampshire primary in the 2008 presidential nominating calendar and adding South Carolina soon afterward.

The addition of Nevada’s caucuses and the South Carolina primary to a presidential calendar long dominated by Iowa and New Hampshire is intended to give a greater voice to Hispanics and blacks — minorities critical to Democrats’ success.

Now what does this have to with immigration?

Well Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina have all experienced exceptionally high rates of increase of their population of illegal immigrants. Specifically Nevada saw that population grow 580% from 1990 to 2004, Iowa 1200% and South Carolina 1000%.

South Carolina in particular is home to a lot of low income blacks of the type polls suggest are exceptionally concerned about the impact of recent immigration on jobs. Nevada is a fast growing state, but a lot of its growth is coming from folks moving from California. Although the intent giving South Carolina and Nevada a bigger voice in the nomination process is to cater to minority interests, I can easily imagine that this change may raise the importance of immigration in the 2008 presidential primaries.

A collective answer to readers’ queries: Bryanna Bevens has just sent me this email:

I had the baby yesterday. Adam Quincy, Aug 18th 7:00 am, 7 lbs 2 ounces, 20 inches….he’s gorgeous. I’ll send a photo when I get settled. Just got home from hospital. Yawn…..

This time, we almost believe her about sending the photo! In the same email, the stakhanovite Bryanna reports that her blog on the illegal alien sob story du jour, church squatter Elvira Arellano, was quoted in the August 18 Chicago Tribune.

Congratulate Bryanna and her husband.