Salem political insiders had warned for months the measure was doomed to a landslide defeat—because the measure's ballot title said it would give drivers cards "without requiring proof of legal presence." Those words were widely considered toxic to voters.



A left-wing activist group called the Institute for Research & Education of Human Rights has another explanation for Measure 88's failure. It says the rebellion against Measure 88 is the latest example of "Tea Party nativism."



In a Nov. 13 report, Devin Burghart argues that national extremist groups targeted Oregon as a test case that could tip national opinion against immigrant rights.



"The Oregon campaign was not only part of a strategy to block all pro-immigrant legislation at the state and local level, it was part of a well-worn strategy of using state victories to change the national conversation in a more nativist direction," Burghart writes. "Given the history of anti-immigrant ballot measures tilting the national conversation, the nativist victory in Oregon does not augur well for immigration reform in the near term."



WW took a closer look last month at Cynthia Kendoll, who leads Oregonians for Immigration Reform and spearheaded the fight against Measure 88.



This week's analysis by IREHR takes a close look at the right-wing money that supported the campaign against Measure 88, and the long history many of its opponents have of fighting against immigration.