Obama had already put in so much effort to show that he was tough on illegal immigration, just like all Democratic presidents or presidential candidates have to do because they're perceived by some voters as soft on border security in the same way that in the 1970s they were seen as soft on national security.

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But what about the basic point, Joe, that soft border is a national security issue.

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In July and August, the FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center took the rare step of warning people around the world about the impending threat of the "Code Red" worm -- named after the soft drink favored by the security team that first analyzed it.

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Republicans charge that Democrats are soft on terrorism, crime and border security.

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So they will no longer include what is known as soft facilities management, or contracts for catering, cleaning, security and IT.

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Kenya Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said it was likely resorts close to the border were seen as "soft targets" -- despite the presence of police and security guards -- an attractive proposition given the clampdown on 'traditional' pirate attacks.

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White House strategists see an opportunity to paint Democrats who resist the president as soft on terrorism, much as they did after Democrats objected to some aspects of the new Homeland Security Department in 2002, or to the war in Iraq in 2004.

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