Obama Still In Search Of Big Second Term Accomplishment Amid Immigration Uncertainty

dtrt09 · 07-13-2013, 02:00 PM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3587173.html

Quote:

WASHINGTON -- A dramatic tax-raising deal last New Year's looked like it might be a breakthrough, signaling improved second-term relations between newly re-elected President Barack Obama and a divided Congress. At least that's what the White House hoped.

But six months later, growing uncertainty over a sweeping immigration overhaul measure has dimmed expectations for a big summertime achievement and left Obama still in search of a marquee legislative accomplishment to mark his second four years.
His advisers now concede that their best shot at changing the immigration system might come in the fall, after lawmakers return from their August recess. But that could be a long shot during a period already crowded with other issues.

During the autumn months, Obama's administration will be dealing with one of the most challenging aspects of the historic health care overhaul – signing up millions of Americans for insurance coverage. And if that's not enough, Obama also will be locked in an unexpected battle over domestic food aid – while working through budget disputes with Congress as the new fiscal year looms in October and the government approaches its borrowing limit. Then there's overseas turmoil in Egypt and Syria.

Already shadowing the president are two major letdowns earlier this year – a gun control measure that Republicans blocked in the Democratic-controlled Senate and the failure to avoid automatic spending cuts that further trimmed the government's budget...
White House aides had argued that a solid bipartisan vote on immigration in the Senate would give the legislation momentum through the House. Two weeks ago, at a news conference in South Africa, Obama called on the House to act before the August recess. "Now is the time," he declared.

House Republicans ignored him, saying they would not take up the Senate bill and would instead tackle immigration in a piecemeal way. "I'm much more concerned about doing it right than I am in meeting some deadline," House Speaker John Boehner said.
That decision put a sizable question mark over one of Obama's biggest second-term priorities.

"This is going to be a tougher fight than people had anticipated," said Simon Rosenberg, president of NDN, a Democratic-leaning Washington think tank and a longtime advocate of overhauling immigration laws. "It could go on for six months; it could go on for the next couple of years."

Some Obama allies fear that failure to win on immigration – an issue many believed was ripe for change after last year's elections – will simply embolden his opponents. Cleaver, a Missouri Democrat, said it "could conceivably wound the president in a way that would make the next three years move very, very slowly and painfully."

Others are still upbeat.

"It's an important moment that could help him if something gets done, if not in his timeline, in the near future," said Patrick Griffin, who handled legislative relations for former President Bill Clinton.

The White House and Dems have absolutely no f****** urgency in passing CIR. To start, Obama refused to give the Dems a "deadline" to pass legislation in the Senate - as if time didnn't matter, when in fact, it is the MOST important aspect of passing CIR- secondly, I love how his advisers and fund-raisers only talk about what will benefit HIM. 11 million lives on the line, and yet they are only thinking of themselves.

You guys hear the silence from the non-profit 'immigration advocay' DC bed-hoppers, NCLR, America's Voice, etc, etc?? Yeah, that's right, this time they truly have NOTHING to say. They are useless as are the Dems.

Malign0n · 07-15-2013, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtrt09

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3587173.html

The White House and Dems have absolutely no f****** urgency in passing CIR. To start, Obama refused to give the Dems a "deadline" to pass legislation in the Senate - They are useless as are the Dems.

Excuse Me? The White House? the Democrats? Obviously you haven't seen what has happened with DACA, you haven't seen with the Bipartisan Senate Immigration Bill, you haven't seen what Speaker Boehner said about not introducing the CIR passed by the Senate.

All of these theatrics coming from the Lower Chamber will die down, the Democrats and Republicans are going to have to work together to pass a bill in the House. But don't blame the Democrats. They are the ones standing there to ensure that an immigration bill coming from the House has 1)A Pathway to Citizenship for all 11 Million 2)Isn't an arduous, arbitrary path that includes idiotic GOP talking points.

dtrt09 · 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malign0n

Excuse Me? The White House? the Democrats? Obviously you haven't seen what has happened with DACA, you haven't seen with the Bipartisan Senate Immigration Bill, you haven't seen what Speaker Boehner said about not introducing the CIR passed by the Senate.

All of these theatrics coming from the Lower Chamber will die down, the Democrats and Republicans are going to have to work together to pass a bill in the House. But don't blame the Democrats. They are the ones standing there to ensure that an immigration bill coming from the House has 1)A Pathway to Citizenship for all 11 Million 2)Isn't an arduous, arbitrary path that includes idiotic GOP talking points.

Bullshit. 1)DACA is purely a result of desperate election tactics; 2)The Democrats have the Senate with 20 seats on the line in 2014 and want to use us for political gain; 3)The Republicans, unlike Democrats, do have a spine and don't tumble the moment a Dem farts their way; 4)Your talking points sound right out a political campaign playbook, which means I will ask you a few q's: do you have DSCA? Do you work/volunteer in any polotical office/campaign? And how old are you?

dtrt09 · 10:09 AM

An ineffective politician on "our" side, will do for us as much as a Republican; nothing. Also, obviously you missed the arbitrary, ardous path to citizenship the Dems included thw Senate bill. It's s***, and there are over 10 million that don't benefit from DACA, including those who should have gotten it in the first place. Any adult with life experience and responsibilities can see the Democratic playbook right off the bat, including the other side. If you can prove the Dems are effective, smart negotiators, I have a bridge to sell you.

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Obama Still In Search Of Big Second Term Accomplishment Amid Immigration Uncertainty