Did the WPRI poll Hispanics for its illegal immigrant benefit survey?

The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, the state's leading right wing "thank tank," published a survey claiming that vast majorities of Wisconsinites opposed illegal immigrants getting drivers licenses and receiving in-state tuition at UW. Folks were narrowly split on the question of whether illegal immigrant children should be allowed to attend public schools. For what it's worth, 62% of Republicans oppose this idea.

The survey, clearly designed to create wedge issues for a desperate GOP as it heads into a dark 2008, can be seen here.

The Brawler's big question, after looking at the survey, was: Did the WPRI interview any Hispanics? Because while the survey breaks out how whites, blacks, men, women, Republicans, Democrats. liberals and conservatives in a variety of cities responded, the survey findings elide the reaction of one significant group: Hispanics.

Which raises two possibilities in the Brawler's mind:

1. WPRI saw fit not to interview Hispanics. This would, of course, invalidate the entire survey. The Brawler would not put this past the WPRI.
2. WPRI did not disclose how Hispanics responded because they did not like how Hispanics responded. The Brawler suspects that Hispanics might -- stress "might" -- have less of a problem with illegal immigrants getting drivers licenses, receiving in-state tuition at UW or educating their kids at public schools.

Why would WPRI want to hold that info close? Four reasons, none ruling out the other, off the top of the Brawler's head:

1. The data could be used as a motivator for pro-immigrant groups.
2. The data could inform politicians that an increasingly influential group of voters, i.e. Hispanics, are more liberal on immigration issues than the majority. This might encourage politicians with an eye to the future. or  politicians in districts with growing Hispanic populations, to to moderate their views. Not good for the GOP!
3. If the data shows that Hispanics split from the majority on this issue, Republicans can't realistically oppose bennies in the name of speaking for the majority and at the same time reach out to Hispanics. Who already are bailing on the party as it kowtows to its nativist wing.
4. The right wing jabberers could pick up the Hispanic reaction and use it as an excuse to tee off on Hispanics, regardless of origin or place of birth. Can't you just hear Texas Hold Em Blogger complain about "chihuahuas" who want to jam their culture and language down or throat while they're sucking up our bennies? Actions like this make Republicans look bad -- and WPRI realizes this.

Or it could be something else. The Brawler confesses he's not omniscient.

That's why the WPRI needs to fess up as to whether it interviewed Hispanics for this survey. Because there's absolutely zero evidence that it did.

Comments

[Freefall]

Good catch, good analysis of probably survey design flaws -- and, as usual from you, fun to read, too. If only the powers-that-be would read the Brawler. . . .