[KR: Here is a fairly long feature in the New York Times Sunday Magazine that looks at the politics of border control and immigration in Arizona, and what that means to Republican strategies there and in other states. From the tone of the article, it still seems unclear whether this will be a significant issue this November, let alone beyond then. I think this issue will have legs in conservative circles well into the next Presidential season, which pretty much gets started in January.]

Russell Pearce’s single-mindedness has proved to be a force in Arizona, setting the political agenda, helping to make illegal immigration the single most important and contested issue in the state.

[..] In Arizona, it becomes evident, the battle over illegal immigration is, in one of its dimensions, a battle over the future of the Republican Party in the state and, because of McCain’s ambitions, nationally as well.
Story in New York Times Sunday Magazine