Now we know why some in the GOP were nervous about how Governor Jan Brewer would do when the spotlight was shining on her. After she stumbled in what can only be called an embarrassing performance in last night's debate with AG Terry Goddard, she made the mistake of talking to reporters.

Here's the clip where she refuses to back down from the ridiculous claim that Arizona's illegal immigrants are engaged in desert beheadings (not making that up). After that is the clip from the debate where she shows her ability to handle a little pressure.

Good that the GOP nominee for the Senate in California is taking a centrist position, but it's annoying to hear about being opposed to amnesty. So is just about everyone who favors comprehensive immigration reform. The question is not whether you're against legalizing people and not punishing their behavior. None of the versions of immigration reform introduced in the last five years do that. All contain varying degrees of punishment - paying fines, going to the back of the line behind current green card applicants, paying back taxes, passing English exams, doing community service, etc. etc. Is Fiorina against any path to people legalizing their status and does she believe a lifetime in exile is the only appropriate response? If that's the case she's against far more than an amnesty and that's what we need to know.

Yay! Hat tip to reader AV for getting this news to us.

Pew confirms what we've already assumed is happening. The number of illegally present immigrants has dropped 8% since 2007. The number is now about 11 million, down from peaking at 12 million. The annual migration of illegally present immigrants has dropped from about 850,000 a year a few years ago to just 300,000 a year today. Why? Probably a combination of a lousy economy and much more vigorous enforcement, particularly at the border.

Here is the report for your viewing pleasure: