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developed its own immigration-reform plan that’s more liberal than the bipartisan Senate outline, that information is outdated.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:
MC CAIN are you trying to get elected.You and SCHUMER jewmer -GO TO HE-LL MCCain Fellow comrade you trator .I hope you lose the white vote you sell out dog
At least their trying with something that makes a little sense.
How ironic that the POS obama would be for immigration reform.
Does he want to be legal before he is fired?
Someday he is hoping his daddy will immigrate here and be a Demosocialist too.
Obama 2 RWNJs 0
You just can't stand it. Loving every minute of your whining.
Bob
Take a Midol. Your menstrual cramps are making you irritable.
His daddy is dead.
Good thing. His dad wanted nothing to do with him....
Every person that has come here legally, has just been slapped in the face. No wonder people don't follow laws. The liberals will forgive them.
===============
You haven't passed a budget in 4 years. Why start now?
The Butcher of Benghazi has to keep the drug routes open. He has to make up the inflation on his money printing Regime ! He is following lesson 1 of the Mexican Government Instruction Manual. Go with maximum profit for yourself ! F$#% the citizen's Let Them Eat Cake ! LMFAO
I'll tell you all one GD thing, if this President or his liberal cohorts in congress somehow give 11 million illegals a path to citizenship without putting the national guard or a fence or some kind of real measurable seal on the border, that will be the end of the United States and what a truly sad day in history it will be.
We need a conservative immigration reform plan, not a liberal one. The liberals have already done enough damage to healthcare and the constitution.
There is a conservative plan. It consists of yelling "NO" as loud as you can. How'd that work out for you in the last election?
That's a lie. republicans members of congress have tried to put forth immigration bills and leadership from niether side would give it the time of day.
Does anyone know the eligibility rules for welfare?
Will these 11 million be eligible to apply for welfare once they are granted legal residency? Or will they need to wait until they are citizens to apply for welfare?
Cal_Chi: Will these 11 million be eligible to apply for welfare once they are granted legal residency? RFLOL they already have welfare, section 8 Housing, Food Stamps, SSI payments and Medicare and Medicaid. What do you not get.
I did not read this article because it is not that important. My thought is why are people concerned with immigration at this time? Why isn't the discussion about the debt limit, budget, and other financial issues?
Because a very few republicans still have enough brains to see that continuing to be the party of hatred isn't going to win them elections.
All of those issues are also on the table. It is the start of a new Congress so most of the major legislation Congress will address over the next 2 years are being laid out. It is just how the legislative system works.
Because when trying to debate liberals about financial matters, all they say is "it was Bush's fault".
Because a very few republicans still have enough brains to see that continuing to be the party of hatred isn't going to win them elections.
That's one of the Lefturd's problems. They will suck anyone's ass to win an election. Grow a backbone & stand up for yourselves. Kissing everyones ass to win an election is demeaning, but the left has no problems with it. PANDER your life away.
markinbecker, my point is that congress and this president have addressed these same matters for years already, they don't need anymore sideshows to distract from the prevailing issue. After passing a 3 month extension to keep the government going, the discussion is turned to immigration. people not seeing a problem with this is scary.
America wont be able to keep all the Mexicans in prison..Nice statistic.How much does it cost to keep feed the swelling latino prison population.OH MORE THA YOU PAY TO COMBAT VETRANS WHO HAVE SERVED THIER COUNTRY> WE are in the tank.. this is a false economey, spurred on buy 7 trillion in deficit spending---NOW FUX THE MEXICANS AND BALANCE THE BUDGET_--
Not only the illegals but our prisons are packed with drug dealers and drug addicts and why are we supporting them. Deport the illegals and let the rest out - get a job. We are spending billions every month to imprison these people. On this issue I agree with the Libertarians.
Obama's America - where "upward mobility" is considered a sin and "playing the victim" is now a virtue...
I don't understand how any citizen in our country would or could agree with Obama's plan on immigration "reform". Essentially it isn't "reforming" anything, it's a free pass to anyone illegally in the United States and it welcomes millions more to "come on in". What I really think this is about is diluting the sovereignty of America with the expectation that if we allow enough foreigners into our country, we can dilute the traditions and historical significance of this once great nation. After all, liberals hate who we "were", who we "are" and long for what they want us to become.
Better talk to those 4 republican senators who go along with this plan. I say vote them all out! Run some really wacko guys who will talk about rape. Go for it!
Funny.
luke
You, of course, are a Native American with no relatives who came from any foreign countries.
BBB that is exactly what they will do. LOL
Mexico has stricter immigration laws than we do, in fact most third world countries are at least smart enough to know that protecting their borders and their citizens is important. I can't wait when the government starts taking 50% of your paycheck to pay for 11 million "new" citizens entitlements.
Yes, I am a native American.
I was born right here n the USA of Irish/English parents. That makes me as native as the Early Siberian Immigrants, aka Indians.
NC
You are the son of immigrants. They were fortunate to come here when the country was accepting of foreign people coming here. That was when the immigrants were mostly white Caucasians.
Now that the biggest influx of immigrants are coming from Spanish-speaking countries, the dumb rednecks want to close the doors to them.
Can't speak for Luke, but MY relatives were all people who came here and FOLLOWED THE RULES AND LAWS TO BECOME CITIZENS!
John Penn-2341008 As most TEA partiers do they twist the constitution and current issues completely around to meet their current needs. If your a TEA partier that explains a lot?
You cannot convince a paranoid person that assault weapons and high capacity magazines should be in the hands of law enforcers and the military. Paranoia is a form of mental illness and the nra is the primer for this disease.
John, do you have a big sign on your lawn proclaiming your home a GUN FREE ZONE?
If not, why not?
Did you libs ever once stop and think about why all these shootings are happening in gun free zones (schools, churches, movie theaters) and not at gun clubs, police stations and NRA conventions?
Think.
John-Not exactly sure what you are trying to say but if paranoia is a disease then it has inflicted millions of liberals who think anything larger than a 16 ounce soda will result in instant death, that more taxes are "good for the country" and that a law abiding citizen with a gun is somehow dangerous.
Luckily, paranoia is a losing political philosophy.
Nobody is asking for a gun free zone. Just a cop killer buller, high capacity magazine, and assault weapon free zone. Kind of like having machine gun free zones.
Oh, and I own three pistols and two shotguns.
What is an assault weapon? If any of your shotguns or pistols is semi automatic, you own one, according to the leftist fear mongers.
Machine guns can be legally owned in the US.
BigBob-We already have "gun free zones" like the theather in Aurora, Virginia Tech and the school in Newtown. Just goes to show how stupid you people are. Why not put a sign in your front yard saying "gun free zone"? That should keep the bad guys out!
On the AR-15, I've owned one for 2 years and it's a blast to shoot. My 10 year old took his first deer with that rifle this year. It doesn't kick, shoots a .22 caliber bullet and isn't as "scary" as you liberals make it out to be. If you really want to do some damage, then a handgun is the weapon of choice in 99% of gun murders in this country. Don't even pretend you know one thing about a weapon. You might also want to go read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights again, you seem to have forgotten why the 2nd amendment was written. If the British had AR-15's and the Colonials had 10 round handguns, we would still be part of the United Kingdom.
It amazes me! What part of illegal is it that people don't understand. Why have laws at all if they are not enforced? Oh, I know!---- I think it has to do with voting and staying in power no matter the consequences the rest of us have to suffer.
Like when Reagan gave amnesty to 3 million illegals?
Yep, exactly. It should not have been done. It should not be done now, either.
Just remember, Reagan gave amnesty with a promise that the border would be secure. That part never happened, and yes, he was wrong also.
Obama cares...
...but his mommy and daddy didn't.
dumped him on grandma faster than you can say "socialism".
VV why are you hating on Obama's parents, they have nothing to do with anything.
And Jesus in the Bible has compassion for a person like that.
Perhaps not Christians in the real world.
Right wing Christians anyway
How would you know what Christians would do?
markin, you call it hating. I call it the truth.
Deny it all you want, but Obama's "caring" parents dumped him on grandma. And fast.
daddy only bothered to see him once.
P.S. I'm agnostic.
Nobody knows what Christians would do.
Just what Jesus would do.
If Obama's parents didn't care about him, VikVega, that is all the more reason to admire the man for what he has accomplished in his life.
Just what has he accomplished other than dividing a Nation and running it so far in debt our great grandchildren will still be paying for it. Oh, I forgot--- Liberals are for instant gratification.
Well Ayn, Barack Obama rose from a poor fatherless upbringing to become a lawyer and eventually the President of the United States of America. Now, I would call that an accomplished life. Perhaps your standards are a little higher than that.
...you left out "with aide provided to him as a foreign student..."
therein lies the reason he hides his college records.
He's going to propose his own deal. His senate has ask him not to. This is what we have to deal with!
Either way obama will try to take credit and blame everyone else as usual.
I must be on the wrong forum, I thought this was about immigration and all I read is about "assault weapons". Since I know I'm on a forum about immigration I'll keep my comments pertinent to that subject and comment on "assault weapons" on a different forum.
I have absolutely no problem with legal immigration. That is the people who immigrate according to the laws and rules of the United States of America.
I have a large problem with illegal immigration. Those criminals who enter the U.S. without going through the channels (other than the Rio Grande's channel) that legal immigrants go through. These are the people who need to be sent home to whatever country spawned them. I have a problem with illegal immigrants coming to this country to give birth so the child is an American citizen. That particular "benefit" needs to be done away with. I have a problem with the current liberal/socialist/communist party and their views on all these voters that aren't eligilble to vote but do anyway.
You seemd at least reasonable until the last line. Then you showed your self to be a RWNJ and a Dumb Fux viewer.
Have liberals ever wondered why the only Hispanic group that vote Republican are first generation Cubans?
our country is now worth @!$%# laws dont mean anything unless it is to get the real crooks elected into office
But Mitt lost!
Good. It's about time Obama showed some real cajones...
He could only borrow them if he took Moochelle to Vegas ! LMFAO
You're going to have to learn more Spanish than that after this goes through!
why vote any more they will get all they need from the illegals
Robert Menendez is whispering in McCains ear. When do we go to Tijuana and meet those underage girls ? RINO alert ! What a disgrace to this country ? LMFAO
Yeah you can tell they are RINO because they like girls.
Mr. President: It would be better if you remained silent for now---as soon as you voice support for any bill, the right-wing of the Republican party runs away from it because they have a knee-jerk reaction to hate whatever you support. Remain neutral for now to keep the far right-wing Republicans in line. Show support at the last minute before the vote to leave them little time to react.
Good idea. Opposing Obama's ideas is the best course.
Too late.
Sure helped in the last election.
Sonia when you get WISER, you will find it is BOTH sides that are out to destroy America. Dems are no better than the Reps. on that. Both sides are in it for the MONEY. Neither side really cares about how we the people are living as long as they get there EXPENSIVE WINES, Get to eat at the EXPENSIVE EATERIES, They are the problems WE THE PEOPLE have in this country.
Both SIDES voted for the failures that curse the rest of US.
Hopefully one of these days, the people of AMERICA will see that those in Washing DC are the PROBLEM. They do NOT do a budget, they do NOT want to shrink government, I am talking about BOTH sides on this, it is NOT a Dem or Rep thing it is a, we the people need to rid Washington DC of the CORRUPTION on both sides by cleaning out the LIFER POLITITIONS.
When GE can spend over 36 million dollars on lobbying the representatives that are supposed to be representing WE THE PEOPLE. Sure GE saved BILLION by spending that 36 million, it is US taxpayers that have to make up the shortfall, because GE got there tax breaks and credits, Time to cut out the LOOPHOLES and limit the deductions those companies get to use to reduce there tax bill. TIME FOR GE TO PAY ITS FAIR SHARE. The rich have to, so the MIGHTY CORPS. can also.
This is wonderful Obama has sold out the Blacks unless he passes a law that says you can only hire Blacks instead of whites . Look for the welfare numbers to go up and the Black unemployment to go up also.Glad I am at the age to retire and enjoy the rest of my life.
That took some real conspiracy theory stretching but it's amazing how racism in America always comes back around to Black people.
Immigration reform has nothing to do with Black people but you're more than willing to use us as a pawn in the discussion.
Yeah, bear, I'm sure making all the illegals "legal" will do nothing but HELP black unemployment, which is hovering near 20%...
Nothing to do with it? How narrow minded of you....
The unemployment problem already exists. These illegals are already in this country working. How is allowing them to become legal going to make any difference?
I don't know maybe, they will start looking for better jobs NOW that they are legel residents with a green card. Would you stay at the LOW paying job that you took because that is the only job you could get. DO NOT WORRY there will be more ILLEGALS to fill those job spots that pay the lower wages that only ILLEGALS will work for.
Does that shed any light on it for you that can NOT think for themselves.
I wonder if McCain and Rubio know that they just destroyed their on party yesterday by signing this bill. If it passes, that is more votes for democrats and if the GOP say know , then they will piss off the hispanic vote and more votes for democrats. Either way its a lose lose situation for the GOP. Rubio might ruined his chances for running in 2016 because the core of the GOP will never forgive for working with Obama. Look how they talk about Christie now since he was respectful to the President
Christie was just kissing Obama butt for the pub.
Since the $$ has not been showing up, he is annoyed with the Community Organizer in Chief because he is all talk and no action. Hope and Change. You remember, don't you?
More right wing lies. Chris Christie in his own words about Sandy relief:
-"There is only one group to blame for the continued suffering of these innocent victims: the House majority and their speaker, John Boehner,"
-"Last night the House of Representatives failed that most basic test of public service, and they did so with callous indifference to the suffering of the people of my state," said Christie. "Sixty-six days and counting -- shame on you. Shame on Congress. Despite my anger and disappointment, my hope is that the good people in Congress -- and there are good people in Congress -- will prevail upon their colleagues to finally, finally put aside the politics and help our people now."
-Last night, politics was placed before oaths to serve our citizens. For me, it was disappointing and disgusting to watch."
-"There is no reason for me to believe anything they tell me," he said, referring to the House GOP.
So he blames Obama for the GOPs stall of the bill or does he blame those in his own party that voted against the bill
Charles, he can't answer that because he knows the truth.
Ive seen ugly babies and ugly couples --wew you two are ugly
Chuck Schumer invented the Pat-Me-On-The-Back back device- can now be purchased upon arriving in the house at DC- comes w/a I can waste more than you guarantee and backed up by scientific proof- no one can waste more or have grander schemes than the Upchuck himself- never met a camera he didn't like- time to give those 1 percent types another tax hike- free college for illegals along with viles of pills for whatever ails you welcome to the Land of everything is Free including a pass on your illegal status crime- send your relatives in for the next wave so we can do the same 10 years down the road- I'm sure the Dems are only too glad to help pay for another 12 million citizens- time to split this nation in 2-Dems on the left side of the country and the rest on the right- Calif. has 30 percent of the nation's welfare already so they can stay put