W.H. targets reluctant Republicans on immigration reform

Feenmi · 05-04-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

The White House is set to step up pressure on some key Republicans in hopes of winning support for comprehensive immigration reform.

But it’s shaping up to be a struggle, based on interviews with the senators President Barack Obama has approached on the issue.

The administration is starting with a pool of 11 Republicans who voted for immigration reform in 2006. Subtract a few who are dead-ends — such as John McCain, who faces a tough primary in Arizona — and that leaves the White House zeroing in on several others, including Dick Lugar, Judd Gregg and Lisa Murkowski and a couple of newcomers: Scott Brown and George LeMieux.

Each got a call from President Barack Obama from Air Force One two weeks ago. And last Wednesday, Obama stressed that without Republican support immigration reform is a nonstarter.

Next up, White House staff will reach out to the senators’ staffs to test out an outline of a Democratic proposal on immigration. Senate Democrats also have approached the White House about hosting an immigration summit to elevate the issue, an idea that came up during a meeting with immigration groups last Thursday, a person familiar with the meeting said.

Six other Republican senators voted for immigration reform four years ago — Bob Bennett, Sam Brownback, Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, Olympia Snowe and George Voinovich — but here are the Top 5 the White House is focused on now:

George LeMieux of FloridaOpen to talking, wants to see Obama out front

He’s seen as open to supporting reform because he’s a seat warmer who will be out of the Senate next year, after taking the seat that opened up when Mel Martinez retired.

LeMieux is considered a possible challenger to Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, but voting for immigration reform isn’t seen as harmful to that effort because Florida’s Latino voters are a powerful voting bloc.

When asked whether he would consider supporting an immigration bill, LeMieux said he has not seen the Democrats’ proposal but is more than willing to meet with them to review it. But, he said, reform is going to require a hands-on approach from Obama.

“Immigration is obviously a big issue for Florida. It’s a big issue for this country,” LeMieux said. “It’s going to take a lot of leadership from the president — we’re going to need to see the president get out behind a proposal.”

Dick Lugar of Indiana Friendship with Obama doesn’t extend to backing reform

Lugar voted for immigration reform in 2006 and is one of Obama’s closest friends in the Senate.

But he said the White House is wasting its time on him and “can cross me off” the shortlist of potential Republican supporters.

“I’m not planning to support an immigration bill or co-sponsor one this year,” Lugar said. “I reserve the right to vote for or against one if one occurs. It appears to me, given the schedule of the Senate, it’s not going to happen.”

Scott Brown of Massachusetts41st Republican wants a focus on jobs instead

Brown is an obvious target for Democrats on immigration reform. He’s new, represents a liberal state and has promised to work across the aisle, which he has in voting with Democrats on a jobs bill and unemployment benefits. He also replaced the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, a Democrat who, along with McCain, co-sponsored the 2006 immigration bill.

Brown didn’t want to talk immigration reform, though. When asked what it would take to win him over, he said, “I’d have to see what they’re proposing.”

“We’re working on financial reform. The president called me, but that’s it,” he added. “I think we should be focusing on jobs instead of all this other stuff.” He said he doesn’t think immigration reform is related to jobs concerns.

Judd Gregg of New Hampshire Wants to strengthen border security first

He’s been one of the Obama administration’s toughest critics on budget and deficit issues, but Gregg voted for immigration reform in 2006 and has preconditions for supporting it again.

Before he’ll even discuss a comprehensive immigration bill, he said, his precondition is that the administration must take immediate and separate action on securing the border. Even legislation that secures the border first, as Democrats propose, is not enough.

“Right now, the administration is in hiding on the issue of enforcing security at the border. They’ve got the resources, they’ve got the authorization, and they just need to do it,” said Gregg, suggesting the National Guard be posted along the border within months. “The American people are not going to agree to immigration reform until they see the border secured.”

Lisa Murkowski of Alaska Reform prospects not “favorable”

Murkowski voted for immigration reform in 2006. As vice chairwoman of the Senate Republican Conference, she said her office has been meeting with Latino leaders to discuss immigration.

But she told Obama in their phone call that “the likelihood of something happening this year is pretty slim until the situation down on the border in Arizona is resolved.”

When asked if she would rule out taking up reform this year, Murkowski said: “I do not believe that the prospects are favorable at all, and I’m certainly not working to help accelerate it.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36786.html

DREAMactASAP · 05-04-2010, 09:43 PM

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Originally Posted by Feenmi

“I’m not planning to support an immigration bill or co-sponsor one this year,” Lugar said. “I reserve the right to vote for or against one if one occurs. It appears to me, given the schedule of the Senate, it’s not going to happen.”

But she told Obama in their phone call that “the likelihood of something happening this year is pretty slim until the situation down on the border in Arizona is resolved.”

When asked if she would rule out taking up reform this year, Murkowski said: “I do not believe that the prospects are favorable at all, and I’m certainly not working to help accelerate it.”

These senators make me absolutely sick! I hate how they say, "I wish it could happen, but the chances are slim." THOSE CHANCES ARE SLIM BECAUSE YOU IDIOTS WON'T VOTE YES! It's THE ONLY THING STOPPING THIS!!

It's not like we're looking into a weather forecast and getting results nobody has any control over. They can make it happen! But then they choose not to make it happen!!! and then they say, there's really not much chance of immigration, it doesn't look good. UGH!!!!! THATS BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT VOTE FOR IT!!!

Aggravated. Irritated. Pissed.

Please forgive me.

gebodupa · 05-04-2010, 09:48 PM

For republicans, the introduction of the bill is the worst thing possible because there is no way they can appease the conservatives while still scoring several points with the pro-immigration Latino base. They will do anything to not get it on the floor but once that happens a lot of views will change, because this is not like HCR. There is a lot more at stake, and they can't just say that the Dems were pushing something they did not agree on, if the proposal resembles something that was recently drafted by the Dems.

Mona Lisa · 05-04-2010, 10:25 PM

I see what your saying gebodupa

Now lets get that damn bill on the floor so that it can see its destiny.

dado123 · 05-04-2010, 10:55 PM

Was there much appetite for Health Care Reform? As I recall it was dead in the Senate on its arrival, Obama needs to step it up and broker a deal. !!

lilbawler2001 · 05-04-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

“Right now, the administration is in hiding on the issue of enforcing security at the border. They’ve got the resources, they’ve got the authorization, and they just need to do it,” said Gregg, suggesting the National Guard be posted along the border within months. “The American people are not going to agree to immigration reform until they see the border secured.”

I have no idea why Obama is dragging his feet concerning sending the national guard to the border. If that is what is going to take to get some republicans on board,then so be it.

VicTheWick · 05-05-2010, 01:05 AM

Is there any explanation why Obama will not send National Guard to the border? I don't see any obstructions. After recent near-border incidents, there should be more personal to keep law and order. Also, I'm skeptical that situation on the border is THAT bad. There were always cases of drug smugglers trying to cross. And how come the situation went out of control even with doubling border agents and newer tech they have over there? Something doesn't add up. I think that Arizona, California and other states are tired of Latino population, legal and illegal, taking over whole cities. Therefore they bring up border security issue to front burner all the time. One thing they don't understand is that there is nothing can be done with amount of Latinos in USA. Just deal with it and pass CIR to make everybody life easier and safer.

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W.H. targets reluctant Republicans on immigration reform