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Subscribe to RSSImmigration takes center stage… But passage won’t be easy… Obama thanks Hillary Clinton… Rreading the 2016 tea leaves from the interview… Hagel and the outside groups trying to defeat his nomination… Breaking down the Chambliss and Harkin retirements… And McDonnell and Cuccinelli oppose Virginia’s electoral-vote change.
*** Immigration takes center stage: Exactly seven days since President Obama’s inauguration, a series of events this week suggests that immigration has the best shot at being the first big legislative action -- and potential battle -- of 2013 (outside of the budget, of course). Today, a bipartisan group of eight senators (Democrats Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Bob Menendez, and Republicans John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio and Jeff Flake) are laying out four agreed-on principles to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. Also today, at 11:00 am ET, several organizations pushing immigration reform are holding a press conference at the National Press Club to issue a “call to action” on the subject. And tomorrow, Obama heads to Las Vegas to deliver his own remarks on immigration. The bipartisan group of senators, in particular, is a big deal. Indeed, this appears to be the first time that McCain has signed on to a top Obama legislative priority since the presidential first took office. And here are their four principles: 1) create a “tough but fair path to citizenship” for illegal immigrants that’s contingent on border security; 2) reform the system in a way that helps build the economy; 3) establish an effective employment verification program; and 4) reform the system of admitting future workers. Five of the eight senators (Rubio, McCain, Schumer, Durbin, and Menendez) will appear together today in DC at 2:30 pm to officially unveil their agreement; the other three have scheduling conflicts in their home states.
Gary Cameron / Reuters
Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., questions Senator John Kerry (Not Pictured) during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on Kerry's nomination to be secretary of state, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 24, 2013.
*** But its passage won’t be easy: On paper, passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill should be more than doable. After all, it’s now in both parties’ interest to do so -- for Democrats, it’s delivering on a campaign promise; for Republicans, it’s to avoid again losing the Latino vote by a 71%-27% margin. But remember this: Nothing is ever easy in Washington. For one thing, the devil is in the details, even with these bipartisan principles. How do you create this “tough but fair path” to citizenship? What’s the punishment for undocumented immigrants? How long do these immigrants have to wait to become citizens (and potential voters)? The other obstacle to passage is the House of Representatives. Does Speaker John Boehner -- once again -- allow legislation that might not have the backing of a majority of his GOP caucus to reach the floor? That said, it was notable that House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan on “Meet the Press” yesterday embraced Rubio’s work on immigration reform. “I support and agree with the principles that he laid out about earned legalization. Making sure that you're not rewarding people for having cut in line, but making sure that we can fix this problem.” Ryan added, “Look, immigration's a good thing.”
*** And selling it Republicans won’t be easy, either: The big challenge, in the short term, is going to be for McCain, Rubio, and Graham to sell this compromise as “not amnesty.” (And that’s exactly what Rubio has been doing in conservative-media circles in the past few weeks.) When you read the bipartisan agreement, there is a lot of detail and promise on this issue, including: making sure these folks pay back taxes and fines, making sure they are in the back of the line behind those folks playing by the rules now, and an agreement that these 11 million undocumented immigrants DON’T get a shot at citizenship until certain border security “metrics” are met. Of course, define “metrics” -- that’s among the detail devils.
*** Obama thanks Hillary: For those of you, like us, who followed every twist and turn during the 2008 presidential race, last night's joint Obama-Hillary Clinton interview on “60 Minutes” was extraordinary. And we understand that the interview was all Obama’s idea -- and it was more about thanking Clinton for being his secretary of state these past four years (and keeping the party united) than about 2016. Here’s a thought exercise: Imagine what Obama’s presidency would have been like had Clinton stayed in the U.S. Senate. During the tough times (health care, the debt-ceiling debate), everyone would have looked for any kind of daylight between the two politicians, and Hillary potentially launching a primary challenge would have been a constant story, even if she had no plans on such a move. But what’s been extraordinary is how loyal Obama and Clinton have been to each other. And this line from Clinton explaining why she accepted Obama’s offer to be secretary of state struck us: “I thought, ‘You know, if the roles had been reversed. And I had ended up winning. I would have desperately wanted him to be in my cabinet. So if I'm saying I would have wanted him to say yes to me, how am I going to justify saying no to my president?’ And it was a great decision, despite my hesitancy about it.”
*** Reading the 2016 tea leaves: Still, the interview did provide some tea leaves to read about 2016. After all, here was the president conducting his first joint media interview with someone other than his wife. It was an affirmation of Clinton’s work, especially after her contentious testimony last week on Capitol Hill. “Well, the main thing is I just wanted to have a chance to publicly say thank you, because I think Hillary will go down as one of the finest secretary of states we've had,” Obama said. It was a reminder that Vice President Joe Biden isn’t the heir apparent, if Clinton decides she wants to run for president four years from now. And lastly, it was evidence that the Democratic Party -- at least right now -- is more united than ever. We were disappointed that so little time was devoted to some of the key foreign policy decisions this tandem made together, including the decision to oust Hosni Mubarak, among other issues.
*** Hagel and the outside groups trying to defeat his nomination: On Thursday at the Senate Armed Services Committee, Chuck Hagel has his confirmation hearing to be Obama’s next defense secretary. And yesterday, the New York Times noted that Hagel’s confirmation battle is the first to be fought in the Super PAC/post-Citizens United era. “The media campaign to scuttle Mr. Hagel’s appointment, unmatched in the annals of modern presidential cabinet appointments, reflects the continuing effects of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision, which loosened campaign finance restrictions and was a major reason for the record spending by outside groups in the 2012 election... While the campaign against Mr. Hagel, a Republican, is not expected to cost more than a few million dollars, it suggests that the operatives running the independent groups and the donors that finance them — many of whom are millionaires and billionaires with ideological drive and business agendas that did not go away after the election — are ready to fight again.”
*** Breaking down the Chambliss and Harkin retirements: In the past 72 hours, two U.S. senators -- Republican Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Democrat Tom Harkin of Iowa -- announced they wouldn’t be seeking re-election in 2014. That means we now have four retirements (John Kerry, Jay Rockefeller, Chambliss, and Harkin), and other ones potentially in the works (Frank Lautenberg, Tim Johnson, maybe Thad Cochran or Mike Enzi). Politically, perhaps the most significant story we’ll be following after these retirements is to see how the GOP primaries in Georgia and Iowa play out (West Virginia, too, for that matter). Do Republicans coalesce around the more electable candidate, or does the most conservative candidate win? One other thing to watch: Chambliss has the ability to be a wild card on legislation -- his retirement statement criticized both Obama and Congress -- and Harkin might be a little more free to vote on contentious legislation (like gun control) than he would have if running for re-election next year.
*** Obama’s day: Besides all of today’s immigration news, President Obama and Vice President Biden are holding a meeting this morning with police chiefs from around the country -- including from Aurora, CO, Oak Creek, WI, and Newtown, CT -- to discuss reducing gun violence. Also today, at 1:40 pm ET, Obama will welcome the Miami Heat to the White House to celebrate their NBA championship from last season.
*** McDonnell, Cuccinelli oppose electoral-vote change: Lastly, both Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli have come out in opposition of the Republican effort in the state to change how Virginia’s electoral votes are awarded. Folks, the effort in Virginia is dead. The question is whether Republicans in other states -- like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- are still thinking about pursuing the change. As Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker told Newsmax, per NBC's Sarah Blackwill: “It's an interesting idea. I haven't committed one way or the other to it. For me, and I think any other state considering this, you should really look at not just the short-term but the long-term implications. Is it better or worse for the electorate?”
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Leave a Comment:
wow,,i see the DDI nuts,,,,(aka libs r us) are out in force today...i wouldnt really worry about immigration at the moment,,,huessien has some splaining to do...his appointments seem to have gotten him in a little trouble..
im gonna send him a copy of presidents for dummies...maybe he can learn just one thing....we gotta try it
Presidnet Obama knew enough to beat your butt twice.
yhea...he did a number on us independants....
Independents went for Obama, AGAIN, Tex.
Great Amnesty, Obama will be handing out Welfare Checks, Section 8 vouchers, Medical Cards and Obama Phones...
Hopefully there is some sort of waiting period before the illegals get entitlements.
yhea...like 10 years would be fine
Let them pay into the system for 5 or 10 years, OR military service...
I love Mexico and have NO problem with them becoming citizens, I just don't want even more Welfare ridden Obama voters...
We need TAXPAYERS
yes we do,,,and jobs,,and a budget,,a new economy....man the list goes on and on
Didn't Ronald Reagan grant over 4 million illegals amnesty? I believe that is exactly what he did.
Thomas - Are you putting St. Reagan in league with President Obama? Sure sounds like it.
Regan's amnesty program proved amnesty doesn't work, the illegals will continue to come in and abuse our country...time to lock down the borders...
1. It's REAGAN, not Regan.
2. That plan "locked down" the border too.
Try another crazy right wing approach, yours has been tried.
Jim Gilchrist had the right idea with the Minuteman Project. Maybe that needs to be restarted.
Well if this all goes threw then I want all my money back from my wives papers I spent $7,500 on and her full citizenship also.
If they give all 11 million Mexicans this they can give it to all that came here the legal way.
If not then all that have paid to come here the right way need to stand up and ask fro the same and all there money back. If not then we file a joint law suet to take back our money and get the same rights for our loved ones that want to be citizens also that paid and did it the right way.
Obama if you are really any kind of president you will make sure that this included all immigrants legal or not. IF you pass this bill you need to make sure all are included and not just the few illegals.
Oh and BTW Liberals, I could care less about Mexicans and Central Americans becoming citizens, I just don't agree with importing even more poverty for the Democrat Voter Farms...
There aren't enough White Folks to pay taxes anymore...
The KKK speaks.
Thomas,
Yes...because poor white people don't exist. You are so stupid.
Thomas - Your hate message isn't very well received here. Perhaps you should stick to hate radio in the afternoons.
What 'hate radio' would that be? Ed Schultz perhaps??
Neil,
I'm a liberal and I see Ed Shultz in the same light as the Hannities and Limbaughs of today. Talking heads feeding their niche audience crap to sling about.
What became of Keith Olbermann and his venomous rants?
Once again, no discussion, just name calling and one "upsmanship" on negative comments. I say lock everyone into a single room and then turn on the gas!! All that hot air could clear away the distractions and then maybe some hope and change!
There is nothing to argue about, most Republicans have NO problems with good decent Mexican and or Central Americans coming here to become citizens...
We DON"T want more Welare Mooches... If they come, there must be a waiting period for entitlements.
That is only fair
Since when does "fair" have anything to do with the republican message Thomas?
Slowly but surely Republicans always end up having to mostly agree with Democratic party positions. They used to want to deport 13 million illegal immigrants...now that they realize how stupid and impossible that position is they are starting to adopt the Democratic party position. They once protected the rich with all of their might and refused to allow any of their taxes to go up....once they realized how stupid and greedy and ridiculous that sounded to the overwhelming public they eased up on that stance.
Soon to come....gay rights. Maybe even the assault weapons ban. The war on drugs???
Trust me, most of us Southerners would prefer Mexicans to Obama's people ANY day of the week......
Give them a clear path, with a waiting time for Entitlements.
its not about whats ritht no more, its what will get you reelected, thats the bottom line.
I normally dont call people names but you are an idiot. DO you think only people on the right are rich?? There are as many or more people on the left that are rich. Bill Gates, Oprah ring a bell???? How about Hollywood??? Nah, its only those dang right wingers who are rich.
Gary,
Of course there are rich Democrats....but they aren't fighting tax increases because they realize that the country is in debt and that a part of reducing the debt responsibly includes spending reductions AND allowing their historically low tax rates to go up. That's the difference.
Gary - You missed his point entirely. The republican party as a whole has resisted closing tax loop holes for the rich for decades. The republican party insists on lower tax burdens on rich people. They have more talking points than supportive data. The entire republican party has suported the Bush tax cuts which heavily favor the rich in this country. They continue to support such policy to this day, including corporate welfare. Wake up dude. You are way off.
anyone can voluntarily send in additional tax if they want to...
Why not see how much revenue the government can voluntarily raise from rich people before forcibly taking money from them?
We could do this simply by adding to the IRS Form 1040 the following series of checkoffs:
( ) Check here if you would like to make a donation to the government equal to 10% of your taxable income
( ) Check here if you would like to make a donation to the government of an amount equal to 5% of your taxable income
( ) Check here if you would like to make a donation to the government of an amount equal to __— % (insert percentage of your choice) of your taxable income
( ) Check here if you do not want to make a donation to the government
We know there are some very rich people who are in favor of an across-the-board tax increase on the rich for the common good, but are these self-anointed do-gooders willing to put their money where their mouths are and donate some of their money to the government?
For the common good, of course.
Instead of donating to private charity or the arts are these folks willing to check one of the first 3 boxes shown above and redirect their largess to the place they obviously believe it will do the most good: The federal bureaucracy?
Taxpayers can donate now:
Incidentally, there are many ways individual citizens can now pay additional taxes to the government.
They could simply fail to claim tax deductions to which they are entitled or declare more income on their tax return than they actually had earned. Each of these actions would increase the amount of taxes paid.
It’s very telling that nobody now pays more taxes than he is legally required to pay. And this is true in spite of the fact that there are (we are told) myriad rich people who think they pay too little in taxes and who want the government to force those who think they pay too much taxes to pay more.
why would I donate more money to a government that I think is wasting more on things that dont need to be spent on? One thing I can say is I dont cheat on them, but would never give them more because to me, I can find a way to waste it on things I want, not that I am against.
Dont you think we should get a good budget in place before releasing millions of more welfare receipents onto the economy?
Fun hear the liberals cry about the electoral college. Years ago you wanted to do away with it and make it the popular vote, so your boy Gore would have won. Wouldnt that have been great to have had that POS as president?
He probably wouldn't have tortured people and started a mulit-trilion war that he didn't pay for.
...when compared to the full blown horror show of the GW Bush years... YEAH!
Obviously, it’s impossible to know what would have happened if Gore had been president on 9/11. But here’s guessing that, one way or another, America would have gotten the invasion of Iraq that it had been itching for since 1991
Those seasoned Democrats are reluctant to end the Fillibuster rules they created. They, the Democrats, were instrumental in creating the fillibuster rules that are what they are today. When the Republicans were trying to cram their agenda down our throats and without even including one Democrat in the meetings etc., the Democrats had to have a tool to fight back with. Now it is being used against them but they see the possiblility of the Republicans at it again and so are reluctant to change the fillibuster rules.
How long will it be before my paycheck goes directly to illegals and lazy bums?
I wish I could print money with nothing to back it up just like the government!
God help us all!
Will foreign nationals still be allowed to game the Constitution and come here to have their babies?
Even Kenyans. LMAO
In 1954 Dwight D, Eisenhower instigated Operation Wetback, had over 1,000 border agents round up over 80,000 in California and Arizona and in the end and an estimated 700,000 fled back across the border. So, why not do the same today?
Gary,
80,000....Well considering that we have well over 13 MILLION immigrants I hardly think 1954 compares.
Why don't you and your ilk start the Wetback Brigade and do it yourself? Please be sure to let everyone know you're republican. Please!
Why not?
BBB What's the matter, chicken?
Greg,
Do we have 162,500 border agents? Just do the math....
That's what it would take to round up these immigrants. How many holding cells do we have? How many buses and planes can we dedicate to such a task? Do you understand the billions of dollars we'll have to spend to do this?
Vipp- I'll make it easy, bring the National Guard back from the Middle East (I assume you are for ending the wars) and they can round "em up. Hey and all of those unused FEMA trailers from Katrina would make great temporary housing until we toss 'em back across the border.
Greg: Because we don't have a man in office like Dwight Eisenhower. Not in any office.
Dude - The national guard isn't in the middle east. You just proved how ridiculously unprepared you are to argue support of your own ideas. Foolish and impractical talk, nothing more.
upset- Unable to grasp a concept? That's Ok and I won't get my feelings hurt by your sophomoric insults either.
upset, National Guard units have regularly been rotated into both Iraq & Afghanistan during the height of that war. Currently, only regular military are in theater as we are drawing down and preparing to leave.
This is a slap in the face for legal immigrants. They must be thinking now 'why did I go through all the hassle when i could've just come here, get everything for free and be honored by the president?' I know I would.
Get off hate radio and try to stick with reality please. Nobody is getting everything for free. Nobody.
Hey, Barry is inviting Lebron and Co. to the White House! At least we know he's got his priorities in order....
Pup,
Yes...I'm sure Bush didn't invite anyone to the White House during the rough times of the Iraq war.
Thank you Pup1 for your contribution that made it all possible.
wow libs must be programed...
just like clock work..you say obama they say bush
hahahahahahahahahaahah
Don't
I wish I didn't have to throw around the Bush administration as much as I have to but clearly you Republicans quickly forget history.
vipp, You are missing the point, the allegation is that you and others are resorting to:
"but Timmy did it too, why can't I"
An ADULT would understand that stealing something is WRONG, regardless what someone else did or got away with. For example.
You're giving them everything else, free room and board, free medical, free schooling, Why don't you just give them the keys to the city? and we'll all move to Mexico...
Adios amigo.
no one is sneaking into Mexico...
The economy should be center stage. This regime is covering up and lying about economic recovery. There is none and if something isn't put in place now we will face dire consequences come April or May of this year. Imigration is the least of our worries for now!
spudson,
Please provide your proof that the "regime" is covering up and lying about the economic recovery. Thanks.
Of course it is not really neccessary to provide any kind of proof for what is just one's opinion, but it is always better to label it as such.
I would also remind people that it is the job of any administration to do MANY things, not just worry about one. Even during the civil war, many other things were going on for the country.
Spud: It may be the least of our worries buy it is the fast way to fix this economy. Just deport the criminals taking our work and watch Americans go back to work.
I think a compromise from Republicans on immigration is a good start....Are they finally starting to see it is better to change and represent many?? I hope so
A path to citizenship for many that are already here is probably the right thing to do....in my opinion
Yeah Ed, that's the easy way and you won't have to get your hands dirty.
What has any of this talk, about what our representitves have to do with my working and dirty hands??
Ed- If you are blind I will understand but, you do realize that allowing illegals to stay here protects Obama's fan base and avoids a civil war don't you?
I am not asking for your understanding or approval..Nor am I interested in being baited into a slanted debate..I am just stating my opinions, as of course you are also
WE can keep the illegals from coming here. Starting with the ones that rent to them, and those that hire them. Take their businesses and their property, plus get rid of all the Politicians, because none of them have any backbone. Or just drop-em as they are crossing.
First off, I'm all for the control of immigrations, regardless of which country they are coming from. There needs to be controlled and documented entry.
However RGV Utica- there is a problem with your "and those that hire them" comment.
I live in an agricultural community and know first hand that white Americans will simply not pick fruit. Apples and grapes are left on farmers limbs and vines because there are not enough immigrants to keep up with demand.
Solution?
JWP- How many of the 12 million are pickers? Most of the garbage in my market comes from Mexico so, it wouldn't seem there is a shortage of jobs there. Solution? You got it, farm subsidies.
Ed: Compromise? Lets see how we compromise on this. Illegal aliens fall into two categories. One, they have never paid taxes or, two, they paid taxes and then got four times as much back in refunds claiming fictitious children. Either way they owe more taxes than they could ever pay. You want to compromise on that? Ifso then you are by yourself. All these years I paid taxes and never got the government protection from illegal employers that I thought I should have gotten, no, I'm not forgiving any illegals who took my work and paid no taxes.
That is an opinion I hear, but i do not share it, nor do a lot of others, so I am NOT alone...sorry....
So you do agree on tax amnasty for illegal aliens? It is just for my information.
America is becoming a cesspool and not a melting pot. Glad I'm from Sweden!
You're welcome to go back to Sweden anytime the American experiment becomes too much for you to handle.
Sweden is going to hell, being overrun by Muslims...
see vwho is at center stage at election time
"Today, a bipartisan group of eight senators (Democrats Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Bob Menendez, and Republicans John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio and Jeff Flake)".
Does anyone else only see seven names in this sentence or is it just me?
Wow......the only thing required to be a Liberal is ignorance and stupidity. Matched with a penchant for being on ones' knees paying homage to that prick in the WH....right Fisty??? Lol.
There was absolutely nothing "moderate" in that idiotic statement.
Finally it looks like immigration reform is on the horizon, but watch out for Marco Rubio- he is a traitor to his own people- a wolf in sheep's clothing- and hopefully will be booted out of office come election time. He proposes all of these hard-line items such as going back to the country and waiting for 10 years or more to even start the process- an item the latino community will not tolerate. Didn't the stupid Republicans get it when the moron Romney was solidly defeated in the election?? McCain has also served his usefullness and should be booted out. Many of these people pay into the tax system and contribute to society already.. The old adage about them taking away jobs from Americans is pure BS.. Go by any field where crops are being picked and there is not a white face in the crowd- a fact which many growers say they can't get any whites to do the work or only last one day. Enough said on that question!!!