Hillary Clinton seems to favor the idea of giving drivers’ licenses to illegal immigrants, an idea popular with part of her political base. But she doesn’t want to be on record about that, since a vast majority of Americans in polls disagree.

So she tried to have it both ways in a recent presidential debate. Asked why she supported New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s policy of giving out such licenses, she replied that what the governor “is trying to do is fill the vacuum left by the failure of this [Bush] administration to bring about comprehensive immigration reform.”

Then, when fellow Democrat Chris Dodd flatly disagreed with Spitzer’s policy, she added, “I did not say that it should be done, but I certainly recognize why Governor Spitzer is trying to do it.”

Huh?

After the debate, her aides complained that the male candidates were ganging up on her because she is a woman. Then her husband, former President Bill Clinton, complained that asking her the question was akin to tactics used by the “Swift Boat” opponents of Sen. John Kerry.

What nonsense! This is an important public-policy matter about executive decisions being made in New York, the state Ms. Clinton represents in the Senate. It is completely fair to raise such questions in a debate format, and discuss them thoroughly throughout the campaign.

While Mr. Spitzer argues that society can keep better track of illegal aliens and prevent other crimes by giving them drivers’ licenses, most Americans are against the practice for good reason.

The country has laws against open borders. Those who enter the United States illegally are not supposed to be given all the privileges of life in America, including benefits from the government, jobs, housing and drivers’ licenses — which can be used to cloak illegal (and possibly terrorist) activities and to undermine our democracy by voting illegally.

Senator Clinton, in her oath of office, swore to uphold the law.

If the immigration laws are not being enforced effectively, they should be changed. But in the meantime, as we see it, elected officials should not be encouraging criminal behavior and rewarding those who break existing laws.

If Senator Clinton has strong arguments to make for the Spitzer approach, though, she should make them forthrightly, instead of hiding behind evasions.