Clinton Comes Out Against Driver's Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

WASHINGTON – Hillary Clinton on Wednesday came out against granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, after weeks of pressure in the presidential race to take a position on a now-failed ID plan from her home state governor.

But her position, the latest in a string of evolving and shifting stances on the issue, prompted an immediate response from the campaigns of her Democratic rivals.

"When it takes two weeks and six different positions to answer one question on immigration, it’s easier to understand why the Clinton campaign would rather plant their questions than answer them," said Barack Obama spokesman Bill Burton, referring to claims that Clinton's campaign has planted favorable questions for audience members to ask her.

Colleen Flanagan, a spokesman for candidate Chris Dodd, called Clinton's position "flip-flopping cubed. She was for it before she was against it, before she was for it, before she was against it."

Clinton has faced criticism from candidates in both parties for her noncommittal answers on New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's attempt to allow illegal immigrants in his state to receive driver's licenses. Spitzer abandoned the effort Wednesday.

After giving a confusing answer at a debate two weeks ago, Clinton's campaign later clarified that she supported what governors like Spitzer are trying to do. Clinton later said the need for such programs depends on the state.

And on Wednesday, Clinton said in a statement that she simply does not support giving licenses to illegal immigrants.

"I support Governor Spitzer's decision today to withdraw his proposal," Clinton said in the statement. "As president, I will not support driver's licenses for undocumented people and will press for comprehensive immigration reform that deals with all of the issues around illegal immigration including border security and fixing our broken system."

Clinton's new position came the day before another debate where opponents are expected to raise the issue again.

Spitzer met with New York lawmakers in Washington on Wednesday, and conceded that there was too much public opposition to his plan. Clinton did not attend the meeting.

"It does not take a stethoscope to hear the pulse of New Yorkers on this topic," he said.

The Democratic governor introduced the plan two months ago with the goal of increased security, safer roads and an opportunity to bring immigrants "out of the shadows." Opponents charged the scheme would make it easier for would-be terrorists to get identification, and make the country less safe.

FOX News' Carl Cameron and The Associated Press contributed to this report.