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Timm Herdt blogs on politics and Ventura County in a presidential election year.
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Steve Yeater / AP Mexican President Felipe Calderon, flanked by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, left, and Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, addresses a joint session of the California State Legislature in Sacramento on Wednesday.

SACRAMENTO — Mexican President Felipe Calderon pulled off Wednesday what few American politicians are able to do: He found common ground on the issue of Mexican immigration in remarks that were praised by both Democrats and Republicans.

In a speech to a joint session of the California Legislature, Calderon said the United States and Mexico must work together on "a comprehensive approach to make migration legal, safe and organized."

He said American capital and Mexican labor can be teamed to the economic benefit of both countries.

"Our nations will never find prosperity by closing their doors," he said. "To grow, Mexico needs investment from California and the rest of the Union, and the United States needs the strength, talent and capacity of Mexican workers to continue prospering."

Calderon, on his first visit to the United States since taking office early last year, cited the bracero program established during World War II that allowed more than 120,000 Mexican workers to legally come here "to keep the American economy strong and able to sustain the war effort."

He suggested a similar program to provide Mexicans with work visas could result in long-term benefits to both countries. Saying the two countries are at a "historic turning point" in confronting migration issues, Calderon said future generations will judge the response. "Did we work together to provide organized and humane migration, or did we continue to allow hundreds to die each year?"

Calderon asserted his administration's goal is to spur economic development in the hope of creating jobs that will allow Mexicans to find opportunity in their own land.

"I want to assure you that Mexico does not encourage its citizens to migrate," he said. "Our country loses a great deal with every woman, with every man who crosses the border in search of better job opportunities. Migration carries off the best among us: our bravest, our youngest and our strongest people."

After his speech, Calderon met briefly with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Officials from both governments signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to work cooperatively on environmental issues, such as the monitoring of air quality in border regions.

Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, said he was moved by Calderon's references to the historic benefits of Mexican immigration to the United States.

"That's my dad," said Nava, who was born in Mexico to a Mexican father and American mother and moved to California as an infant. "My dad was an important part of this state's prosperity. He worked hard."

Nava praised Calderon's call for a comprehensive approach to dealing with U.S.-Mexico immigration issues. "People are right when they say we have to secure our border," he said. "After that, the conversation will shift. Most people want to see a mechanism to allow people to come here and work and then return to their own country."

Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, R-Moorpark, said she was pleased with Calderon's remarks.

"We need to have a legal, safe, organized immigration process," she said. But first, she said, "We have to make progress on the border."

Strickland pointed to Calderon's remarks about economic development efforts in his country that created 800,000 new jobs last year.

"I was very excited to hear his emphasis on his goals to create jobs for Mexican workers," she said.

Calderon noted the inflation rate in Mexico last year, for the first time was lower than that in the United States.

"At the same time," he said, "we had a higher rate of growth last year than the American economy — and with zero deficits in public financing."