A "Brilliant" Romney Adviser Favors The Senate Immigration Compromise

We know there's debate between the Republicans about immigration -- OK, between Tom Tancredo and John McCain, really, because we know precisely where they stand.

But there's also some debate within at least one campaign. One of Mitt Romney's principal economic advisers, prof. Greg Mankiw, supports the Senate immigration bill. Romney, of course, does not.

Mankiw, writing with other conservatives in the Dallas Morning News today, calls the bill "the most far-reaching and thoughtful reform of our immigration system in four decades and one that will significantly enhance American competitiveness."

Is it amnesty? "We don’t think so. And surely it is in America’s interest to know these workers’ real names, vet their backgrounds and get them paying their full freight in taxes. Eventually, once the current backlog of legal applicants is cleared, these newly registered workers will have an opportunity to earn citizenship. But this will take at least 13 years and another $4,000 fine. Heads of households will have to return to their home countries to apply.”

Romney disagrees, calling the bill's proposed Z visa program the "A visa" program -- with A standing for "amnesty, because that's what it is." Romney hasn't said what he'd do with or to the 12M illegals already here. When asked, he lists three priorities: securing the borders, instituting a workable and enforcable employee verification program and not giving illegals any leg up towards citizenship.

When Mankiw was announced as one of Romney's key econ advisers, the candidate called him "brilliant." Even the brightest lights, Romney might say, are turned off occasionally.