In a recent column, I alluded to the political rationale for President Obama to take executive action on immigration. Briefly, it would be delivering on a promise to the base, with the hopes that any angry or overly aggressive reaction among Republicans would damage their prospects with Hispanics ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

But there’s also another factor to consider — that any such executive action will unify Republicans on an issue that’s typically the source of deep division with in the party, and it could make it easier for Republicans to explain to voters why they haven’t passed an immigration bill come 2016.