Tony Heyl's Blog

Blue Steel

Don’t sanitize in the 6th

A recent story here on pa2010.com reported that 6th District Democratic candidate Manan Trivedi was making “a play on immigration.”

But that’s a bit misleading.

Making a play, to me, involves being on the offensive and forging fertile ground for votes. Certainly, having a stance on immigration helps define the candidate to the electorate, but despite what any politicos may want to say, Trivedi’s statement on the issue is as inoffensive as could be. Let’s breakdown his comments regarding allegations that Forcine Concrete & Construction has been employing undocumented workers.

“If the allegations about this company are true, then a great disservice has been done to our community,” Trivedi begins.

While I’m sure many people would want him to attack the company, he starts by giving them some benefit of doubt. Regardless, the statement is true anyway. If the allegations are true and Forcine did help workers skirt immigration law, then it is unfair to the region. That’s neither a conservative or liberal position, despite our constant need to put labels on things.

He continues: “Companies that employ undocumented workers and guide them on how to operate outside the law are only encouraging more immigrants to pursue jobs in our country illegally. And with so many in our community already looking for job opportunities just like these, it is outrageous that any company would skirt the law by hiring undocumented workers.”

Again, there’s nothing even remotely controversial here. If a company guides workers on how to operate outside the law, it will encourage others to find work while operating outside the law. Few on the left or right would disagree that with people out of work, it is improper at best for a company to skirt immigration law.

Trivedi is not attacking immigrants. But when a company helps undocumented workers avoid the law, they can, in theory or in practice, depress wages and create an uneven playing field for labor in an area. This is likely the main reason why the supposedly union workers in the video were upset about these allegations.

Finally, Trivedi adds: “In any instance where there are questions regarding a company’s hiring practices it’s imperative that the company be investigated thoroughly by the proper authorities.”

How is this controversial? The final statement is all encompassing. If there are allegations that a company is breaking the law, they should be investigated. Who would disagree with that? If a company is breaking the law, it puts them on an uneven playing field, which is not only bad for other businesses in their industry, but for people looking for decent jobs as well.

There is one person who could attack Trivedi for these statements, and that man is Congressman Jim Gerlach, or, more accurately, his longtime campaign operative Mark Campbell. Immediately after this completely inoffensive statement on a hot-button issue came out, Campbell slammed Trivedi for having a “far-left position on the amnesty issue.”

Trivedi’s comments on immigration is far from fringe. The fact is that Campbell will attack Trivedi for having a “far-left position” no matter what he says, especially on an emotional issue like immigration. Some may call Campbell disingenuous, but the fact remains that Gerlach’s spokesman is doing his job, and with multiple victories in close races, apparently doing it quite well.

Some Democratic strategists may wish that Trivedi hadn’t said anything at all about immigration, or at least toned down his language, even though it was already pretty vanilla.

Those Democrats are wrong.

For eight years, Democrats have tried to win this competitive seat and oust Gerlach, but to no avail (Disclosure: I worked for Lois Murphy when she ran against Gerlach). Despite the fact that this year will likely be favorable to Republicans, this is probably the Democrats’ best chance to win in the district for the next decade because of next year’s redistricting. To win, they need to make a clear differentiation between the candidates, and on issues that matter to the voters. Toning down the language just makes the candidate bland and provides no rationale for voting against the incumbent.

If Democrats want to win in the 6th this year, they should make a play on immigration, and on other tough issues as well. They should go on the offensive and not just play it safe and hope for the best by not offending a single person. Mark Campbell will call Trivedi far-left no matter what, so don’t be afraid of him. Be afraid that you’ll be plain or boring.

This is your best and maybe only chance to win this race for 10 years Democrats. So don’t try to sanitize your candidate. Let him be himself and stand up for his own beliefs and highlight the differences. It may be the only chance you have.