CHARITON, Iowa — Barack Obama had just ended his stump speech before a friendly audience in this tiny southern Iowa town when Stephen Scott’s hand shot up with a question. Would Mr. Obama, as president, have signed last summer’s failed “amnesty bill” for illegal immigrants, Mr. Scott, a local landscape painter, asked testily.

Mr. Obama cautiously walked through a long answer that ended with a plan to give legal status to long-established illegal immigrants. “There. Another question,” he said, shutting down discussion.

The debate over how to deal with illegal immigrants split the Republican Party two years ago, infuriating its social-conservative base and driving away Hispanic voters. It could be even more perilous for Democrats.

Full story…