E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSObama expected to embrace Senate deal… The reason Obama is headed to Las Vegas: No state has better epitomized the power of the Latino vote… The Kabuki dance… On Rubio selling reform to the conservative base… On Schumer becoming the Democrats’ dealmaker… And Senate is set to confirm John Kerry as secretary of state.
*** Obama to embrace Senate deal: When President Obama delivers his immigration speech at 2:55 pm ET today in Las Vegas, he will hug the principles that the bipartisan group of senators outlined yesterday. “POTUS will applaud the bipartisan Senate agreement that is very consistent with his long-held view and lay out his vision for immigration reform,” top White House aide Dan Pfeiffer just tweeted. Obama also will call on the Senate to act on the legislation soon. While one publication is reporting that the White House has developed its own immigration-reform plan that’s more liberal than the bipartisan Senate outline, that information is outdated. Had the bipartisan senators NOT acted yesterday, you likely would have seen Obama offer his own plan. But the senators did act, and their plan is the plan. The last thing the White House wants to do is blow up this fragile coalition. As we reported yesterday, the White House floated the idea of doing a more liberal or progressive bill during a meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus last week, as a counter to what was being offered in the Senate, and the CHC shot the idea down. The CHC’s advice to the White House was let the Senate work its will – at least for now. That said, the White House insisted last night to reporters that if the Senate coalition falters and if bill shows signs of dying, the president will step in with his own legislation.
Related: Obama’s vs. Senators’ immigration reform plan: 6 points on what overlaps, what differs
Larry Downing / Reuters
President Barack Obama speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House, Jan. 24, 2013.
*** Vegas, baby: So why is the president giving his speech in Las Vegas? There is no state that better epitomizes the power of the Latino vote in American politics than Nevada. In 2010, Harry Reid won 69% of Latinos in his race against Sharron Angle, according to the exit polls, saving his Senate seat from a GOP that was convinced was theirs for the taking. And two years later, Obama won 71% of that vote -- matching what he received nationwide. The three states that have moved the most dramatically in presidential contests since 2004 have been Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, and it’s due primarily to the Latino vote in all three states. (New Mexico is not even remotely a purple state anymore.) In Nevada, in particular, Latinos make up 27% of the state’s population and 19% of the voters in the 2012 election. Translation: The Latino influence in the state has even more room to grow.
*** Kabuki dance: While Obama will embrace the bipartisan Senate framework today, one Republican senator who’s part of the deal -- Sen. Lindsey Graham -- was criticizing Obama on FOX last night. “In 2008, he promised comprehensive immigration reform in the first year of his presidency, and it took all the oxygen out of the room,” Graham said. More: “In 2007, when we were trying to do immigration reform, he folded like a cheap suit because labor, the AFL-CIO, got mad at the bill to allow temporary workers... So I don't need a lecture from Barack Obama about bipartisanship; he was never very good at it in the Senate.” Moreover, top Marco Rubio staffers last night tweeted that Obama was “to oppose security and enforcement triggers,” even though the article that was cited never explicitly said that; it simply said Obama “does not favor linking legal status to border security.” So what’s going on here? This is all Kabuki theater to show that these Republicans aren’t in bed with the White House. The best way some Republicans privately believe they have to get more folks on board (or at least to convince some groups not to be overly aggressive AGAINST this plan) is to not look like they are “giving” the president a “win.” Politico also makes this point: “Whether he likes it or not, the president’s top legislative priority rests in the hands of McCain, his former 2008 rival, and Rubio, one of the GOP’s leading candidates to take back the White House in 2016.”
*** On Rubio selling reform to the conservative base: That said, this is an important test for Marco Rubio. He has spent the last several days selling comprehensive immigration to conservatives. And today, he speaks with Rush Limbaugh, who has criticized the bipartisan Senate framework. (“This immigration bill that everybody’s touting on TV is essentially the Bush immigration bill that was beat back in 2007,” Limbaugh said yesterday.) One of Ronald Reagan’s great talents was selling compromise to his party -- and declaring victory. Can Rubio pull this off, especially on an issue that base conservatives have opposed in the past two presidential elections? Rubio’s job with Limbaugh isn’t to convince him to sign on; we’re not sure that’s possible. What Rubio’s goal is today is to convince Limbaugh not to aggressively be AGAINST what he’s doing. If he can pull this off, it will be quite the feather in his hat as we get closer and closer to 2016 -- and perhaps show Rubio has some Reagan-like political skills.
*** On Schumer becoming the Democrats’ dealmaker: For those who closely follow American politics, Chuck Schumer is an easy target to mock. The running joke, for years, has been that the most dangerous place in DC is to be between Schumer and a TV camera. Perhaps lost in this caricature, however, is that Schumer has become the Democrats’ mover and shaker on key legislation -- dare we say the most effective dealmaker on the Democratic side of the aisle right now. On immigration, he’s reaching across the aisle to work with John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Marco Rubio. And on guns, the legislation that has the best chance of passage is Schumer’s (on universal background checks) where he just might MIGHT convince Republican Tom Coburn to come on aboard his bill. What made Ted Kennedy a lion of the Senate was that he had influence with his Democratic colleagues (if he was backing something, they had cover to get on board) but also the ability to reach across the aisle. And so it’s worth asking: Is Chuck Schumer the closest thing to that right now? And we haven’t even touched on how relentless (and effective) Schumer has been the Senate Democrats’ de facto political director. Is there anyone better at candidate recruiting and clearly primary fields right now than Schumer?
*** Senate set to confirm Kerry: In non-immigration news, U.S. Senate today is expected to vote on John Kerry’s nomination to be secretary of state, and he’s a sure bet to win an easy confirmation. As one of us reported yesterday, if Kerry is confirmed and if his letter of resignation is received tomorrow, Massachusetts will set the special general election for June 25 -- with the primaries to take place on April 30. Also, Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is expected to announce his pick of an interim senator to fill the seat until the special election.
Click here to sign up for First Read emails.
Text FIRST to 622639, to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone.
Check us out on Facebook and also on Twitter. Follow us @chucktodd, @mmurraypolitics, @DomenicoNBC, @brookebrower
Leave a Comment:
Thank you Mr. President. It is a start.
Oh, Betty,
Sweetie. The president is not the Senate.
Go back to civics.
Its sick that our politicians are just after the vote. Meet any of them on the street and I bet they will be looking at their watch the whole time. The sad part is that the immigrants wanting to be here so bad will fall for it not knowing any better.
Hard to understand all this non-sense about immigration, if your here illegally, your breaking the law. Simple, the problem is with stupid people that think that breaking the law is an option and that its okay. We don't seem to have a problem prosecuting DUI, robbery, etc... go figure.
Some Just Dont Get it!
The Obama Doctrine makes it okay to pick and choose which laws to enforce or not enforce depending on the votes that can be garnered.
Its the vote that matters, thats it.
Obama's America - where "upward mobility" is a sin and "playing the victim" is a virtue...
Don't Vote for Marco Rubio in 2016
Far left Democrat scum are always screeching about how "radical" the Republicans are, but in reality, they cave a lot on almost everything.
Illegal vermin should be deported, not rewarded for breaking the law. It would be easier to send 10 million people a one way ticket home than it was to keep 200,000 soldiers overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, year round, completely fed and supplied, with tens of billions in equipment flown in or shipped over, and maintained.
If we can supply and maintain 200,000 soldiers five thousand miles away, in sometimes mountainous areas, 24/7, 365 a year, then we can definitely send 10 million people on a one way ticket back to their criminal home country.
Yeah, kick him out! Who needs the votes? If you lose by a little or lose by a lot, it doesn't really matter. You'll just keep on losing.
Only winning on the right positions is worth winning.
And.....any decent politician could have run against illegal immigration 1990-2013 and won in a landslide.
The GOP has too many spineless cowards.
You run on: welcome legal immigrants, stop illegal immigration, and you'd win. The GOP is too stupid or spineless to make this simple argument.
The Demo-Rats of course, are completely useless and worthless and as usual, on the side of criminality.
Clotho, read the bill of rights. If you are born here, you are a citizen, even if your parents are not. I do not agree with it, but it is the law. What is your point?
Perhaps that is the part of the law that needs to change. Either that or send the entire family back to Mexico and when that child is 18 they can return here on there own. If the family wants to give the child up for adoption then the child can stay. But under no circumstance should "anchor" babies keep entire families here illegally.
Read up on U.S. v Wong Kim Ark. It establishes the "criteria" for those born in the U.S. to illegal parents. Its just not a free ride to citizenship just because you were born here from illegal parents. Big part of it is the parents must have established a permanent domicile/Domain. Now how can the parents have a domicile/domain if you are here illegally in the first place hence no domicile/domain in the U.S.
Illegal is illegal period. What part don't people understand.
We cannot even take care of our citizens and country. Now we want to add 11 Million to the mix. Wait until the in state tuition effects our own LEGAL college students.
Please note that not everyone in America is lazy, drugged, or wanting to live off the system. People want to work.
We do not need anymore people in this country until we take care of what we have.
When is Obama going to stop killing jobs in this country? First it was healthcare, and now immigration. Do we have 11 Million jobs that are opened right now.
When President Obama took office, we were losing 700,000 jobs a month. Now at least we are adding jobs. You've been watching too much of Dumb Fux news.
Unemployment was 7.8% when Obama took office in 2009.
Unemployment is 7.8% in 2013..and that does not even consider the hundreds of thousands who have quit looking and ARE STILL UNEMPLOYED!!
No more mexicans-muslims-or obamas! When is enough enough, how much longer will the common sense
American tolerate the ruination of this country? Don't give up your God or your guns to the HMIC!
LMAO. Try winning an election.
Obama 2 RWNJs 0
As many GOP were elected in 2012 as Dems. More state governors (30) and most state legislatures are GOP (27).
The entire House was up for election and the GOP won it back easily. Uh oh, what happened, Bob? Why did the Dems not take it back? Hmm.
The nation is still center-right.
Chesty,
I see you are foaming at the mouth again,,'
And, he appointed two devout Muslims to Homeland security. That a good thing?
BTW the word "illegal" has been replaced by "undocumented" or didn't some of you read the memo?
God guns,
The last stance of a desperate loser.
Bullet is a hollow point.
Bullet,
Those two items won us a nation.
JOE LEGAL vs. JOSE ILLEGAL
You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California .
Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.
Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".
Ready? Now pay attention...
Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has
$31,231.00.
Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has
$31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now
has $24,031.00.
Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per
year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00.
Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for non-medical insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.
Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.
Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.
Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get
a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.
Do you get it now?
If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens,
you are part of the problem!
It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans !
The republicans plan actually did a little bit to help with illegal immigration. The democrats is just a free pass.
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.
This whole deal is unjust and is in no way fair to those that have entered in a legal manner.
I call for a class action law suet if they pass this, on behalf of all that have been going the legal way about this and now are pushed a side.
And in no way are they able to obtain any free medical or other things as they have been giving to the Latinos.
Your assumption is flawed. You assume this means they won't have to pay for citizenship application process.
It's a shame that so many people have knee jerk hatred of anything Obama supports instead of understanding where it came from, what it is or how it will be enacted.
They should have to pay a LOT MORE than those who came legally.
Include some jail time with that payment.
Fiesty, the pres must have taken a late dump this am you were the 2nd post and not the 1st.
Lol. Jr knows all about turds. He votes for them every time.
He must have voted for Barry then....
What a surprise.....Obama is going to Las Vegas; well, it has been a couple of months since he has been there....I am sure he is just exhausted from his 60 Minutes interview.....there are PLENTY of places he could have gone to discuss immigration (Arizona, Texas, Florida, etc.)
But he ALWAYS seems to find his way to Vegas.....what a loser we elected. I'll be ol' Uncle Joe Biden is just LOVIN" the POTUS right about now, Obama did everything but nominate Hillary on Sunday night.
But we did learn (for about the 50th time) that "The world is a dangerous place"....too funny
Now I understand what POTUS stands for. Pot us in the ground. The unemployment is unbelievable and now we have 12 million "illegals" to compete with for jobs? Yep pot us "American Citizens" in the ground, not to mention the millions of anchor babies that are filling our schools. I was getting gasoline the other day and all that was being spoken at the cashier counter was Spanish. Hope these traitors are enjoying their power and wow just think now all the "actual" votes (not from dead people) will be counted. We are being hoodwinked to the max.
That's right it is dead people voting that's causing your side to lose. Just keep on drinking that Dumb Fux news kool aid. You'll never win another national election.
Well, dead people, pets and illegals all made Obama's "win" possible.
It's a fact that all states with voter ID, Romney won. In Fla. a precinct with 12 registered voters, miraculously 100 votes were counted? George Soros rigged this election to the max!
Annex Mexico. Problem solved.
Right, 32 Blue States.
They don't have anything we need, or want! Well, maybe the tequila!
Whenever I hear low level troll,speak about God and Guns,it makes me want to pull out my M16,so I am able to protect myself from a Waco.
In the military,I dealt with these types,,,lmao
You were never in the military.
Okay, now I understand. Obama can't change half of the country so he's going to replace the half that disagrees with him with Mexicans that do agree with him. I got it. VIVA OBAMA! VIVA LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS de NUEVO, NUEVO MEXICO!
Kill Ill Eagles
Kill ill Eagles
Why not open all borders and say the hell with it?
No way! Then people like Rupert Murdoch will get in.
Or you, Bob.
In other words, we have a President who is willing to compromise and recognize a good deal no matter where it comes from... unlike our Tea-Republicans who's mantra is our-way-or-no-way.
He said he would introduce his own legislation. He does not know that he does not legislate; Congress does.
Seems you are ignorant on this point, as well.
No. He actually said he would not introduce his immigration plan due to the bi-partisan Senate agreement on a plan.
And BTW, a President can propose legislation to the Congress, who would then introduce it.
Wow, talk about ignorant. Go back and learn about Gov from something other than Faux News.
the know nothing never had a plan. he is always looking for the easy way out. making it look like he knows. everybody knows the scammer at work that don't know anything just has a big mouth. i am waiting for the big mouth to come up with something for fixing the economy and creating jobs. hell with immigration . and while he is thinking about that he can come up with a plan to balance the budget.
You can try to get a clue because you sound like a complete Fox News following moron.
Your post made him seem like genius.
Just open the door and let them all in. A lawless country will soon be done away with so enjoy the give away while we can!!!!