President Obama and his political aides privately acknowledge that the government's decision to sue Arizona over its new immigration law is helping to fuel an anti-immigration fervor that could benefit some Republicans in elections this fall. But don't tell anybody.
But White House officials have concluded that, over the long term, the Republicans' get-tough message is a major political miscalculation. They predict it will ultimately alienate millions of Latinos, the fastest-growing minority group in the nation.
Are they confusing the legals with the illegals? Do they vote as one block?
West Wing strategists argue that the president's call for legislation that acknowledges the role of immigrants and goes beyond punishing undocumented workers will help cement a permanent political relationship between Democrats and Hispanics - much as civil rights and voting rights legislation did for the party and African Americans in the 1960s.
Recognize the role? Of my forefathers, too? What else will there be in 2,000 pages?
As a result, although the president is unlikely to press for comprehensive immigration reform this year, he has urged his allies to keep up the pressure on Republican lawmakers.
My numbers are already in the tank. You guys take a shot at it.
"Look: The Republicans, if you do the math, cannot be successful as a national party if they continue to alienate Latinos," said one Democratic strategist familiar with White House thinking on the issue.
That's a pretty large if.
Another top Democrat who has advised the administration on immigration added: "If the Republicans continue on the same course