Editor's note: Julian Zelizer is a professor of history and
public affairs at Princeton University. He is the author of
"Jimmy Carter" and of the new book "Governing America." (CNN) --
When President Obama had his back to the wall after a month of
bad economic news, he tried to change the national conversation
by shifting attention toward the issue of immigration. Through a
directive issued by Department of Homeland Security Secretary
Janet Napolitano to stop deporting some young undocumented
immigrants, the administration made one of its boldest moves in
four years in this area of policy. In doing so, President Obama
is clearly hoping to exploit the deep division that has existed
within the GOP for decades on immigration reform. One faction of
the party, with strong support from the business community, has
pushed for Congress to liberalize immigration policy on the
basis that this will bring great economic benefit as well as
positive electoral rewards for the party in states such as
Texas. The other faction,