Quote:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently declared that Democrats would take up immigration reform "this year," defying the conventional wisdom that the issue is too perilous for the party to push during an election year. But maybe it's Republicans who should be nervous—because a high-octane immigration fight could drive a wedge between the Republican Party and the Tea Party right.
"It becomes a very explosive argument when you talk about legitimizing immigrants," says retired GOP representative Tom Davis, the former chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee. "From a Republican point of view, there is a dilemma.
"Republicans ought to be embracing them instead of chasing them away," says Davis, referring to immigrants. "It hasn't. It’s gone from bad to worse in some ways."
But Davis, the former NRCC chair, offers some strategic advice. If he were a Democrat, immigration reform "would have been been one of my first orders of business. If you were to pass it...it would bring eight to 10 million new voters" to the Democratic Party, Davis says. "Game, set, match. I'm surprised they've waited this long."
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http://motherjones.com/politics/2010...splinter-right
On a different note
Quote:
We're not giving up on immigration reform," vowed Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) as he addressed an event hosted by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.
Schumer was a surprise speaker at the packed immigration meeting which was held at the community services center in Sunnyside Thursday night.
He outlined the challenges facing the Senate bill which he has co-authored with South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham.
Schumer pulled no punches when he said the effort needed another Republican backer in the Senate.
"But," he said, "that's why we need your help."
"We're about ready to go...We're not there yet but we're getting there."
Schumer said there was one solid reason for backing immigration reform, "Immigrants make America better."
And he said, "the more Irish there are in America, the better America is!"
He emphasized that the effort was truly bipartisan and also enjoyed broad support from Labor, big business and religious groups.
About 350 people attended the meeting which was addressed by Bruce Morrison and Ciaran Staunton from the ILIR and representatives from leading Irish organizations including the AOH, GAA and United Irish Counties.
Schumer reminded the crowd that one of the requirements for the new bill would be the ability to speak English.
"That shouldn't be a problem for the Irish," he quipped
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http://www.irishcentral.com/story/ne...-91002874.html
How long is he going to keep saying that? Do they really need another republican co-sponsor to introduce the damn bill?