The new issue

Posted at 12:21 PM on January 5, 2006 by Bob Collins

The obvious gubernatorial campaign issues are coming at us fast and furious this week. Earlier this week, Gov. Pawlenty unveiled his proposals to curb illegal immigration, and then his chief rival, Attorney General Mike Hatch trumped him on Wednesday with his call for an end to the selling of driver's license data.

Pawlenty responded quickly to Hatch's news conference by saying, "we agree we can work together and get this done, but to somehow suggest that this is an issue that has popped up in the past week or month is ridiculous."

So today, Gov. Pawlenty is holding a news conference. The subject: identity theft. An issue that has not popped up in the past week or month either.

Pawlenty's focus also appears to counter that of Hatch, who released his proposals in December on identity theft and privacy.

Who'll corner the "anti-identity-theft" vote? It seems to be part of a nationwide strategy given the number of Legislatures going back to work with identity theft the battleground. In Colorado, Republicans are trying to get a little traction with the issue. Legislatures in Hawaii, Arizona, Florida, and Maine are among the states where the issue will occupy the time of lawmakers.

Is it a slam-dunk campaign winner? Congress, and no one monitors the ability of a bill to help you get re-elected more than congressmen, got nowhere with the issue in 2005. But legislatures and statewide candidates are using ahead of Congress, because they're closer to "real" people.

Those people, according to an ABC News poll give a rip in increasing numbers. But as of last year, only 23 percent give a rip about it "a lot."

Best to keep looking.

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories