Did Mitt Romney Just Throw Kris Kobach Under The Bus?

Mitt Romney appeared to publicly split on Monday with his “informal” immigration adviser, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, setting up a general election pivot in which Romney potentially turns his back on the far-right anti-immigration sector of the GOP he courted heavily in the primary.

At a press conference with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) Monday, Romney said
Rubio’s nascent DREAM Act proposal, which offers the children of illegal immigrants a way to remain in the country, should pass muster with conservatives like Kobach. Kobach strongly opposes the DREAM Act on the grounds that it would provide amnesty to law-breakers — but Rubio’s proposal differs from Democratic versions of the DREAM Act, which offers a path to citizenship.

Kobach himself has said that Rubio’s proposal falls short of his test. Split between two men whose endorsement he touted, Romney appears to be leaning toward Rubio.

The political calculus of such a move is obvious. Romney faces a deep deficit in the polls with the Latino electorate, and Republicans have said that Rubio’s DREAM Act could help close that gap. But immigration is one of few issues on which Romney has bona fides with the conservative wing of the GOP. During the primaries, Romney used his cred with that faction of the party to attack Texas Gov. Rick Perry for supporting in-state college tuition for the children of illegal immigrants — the so-called “Texas Dream Act.”

Romney has been distancing himself from Kobach as of late, pivoting away from the man he proudly touted “on the team” in January while praising the strict immigration law in Arizona Kobach helped to create.

Other conservatives have echoed Kobach’s concern with Rubio’s plan, saying it doesn’t stand up to their scrutiny.

Rep. Steve King (R-IA), told the New York Times that Rubio’s proposal would play into the hands of the Democrats:

Congress must first “re-establish the rule of law” with illegal immigrants before offering any of them legal status. Mr. Rubio’s proposal would simply do the Democrats’ political bidding, Mr. King said.
Democrats “see people in this country illegally as undocumented Democrats,” Mr. King said Thursday. “Do Republicans engage in that?”
Kobach told the Washington Post Rubio’s plan doesn’t sit right with him.

“If the bill required the illegal alien to return to his country of origin and get in line for the non-immigrant visa, then that would not be amnesty, and that would be conceivable,” Kobach said. “If it’s extended to people who are here illegally, and they don’t have to leave the country, that would be amnesty.”

Rubio’s plan, as it was been revealed so far, contains no such provision. But Romney nonetheless sounded inclined to support Rubio’s proposal on Monday.

“The one that’s been proposed in the Senate creates a new category of citizenship for certain individuals. [Rubio’s] proposal does not create that new category but instead provides visas for those that come into the country that came in as young people with their families,” Romney said. “I’m taking a look at his proposal. It has many features to commend it, but it’s something we’re studying.”


http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/20...er-the-bus.php


This is the Video

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If Romney backs Rubio on this bill then I'm very certain we can get the Republican votes that we need. As for Democratic support, Reid has calmed down on his criticisms and I believe that once this bill is introduced within the next month or so and once he has a chance to study it and realize that we will have a chance to get citizenship one day, he will support it along side with his buddies.

As for Obama, if he doesn't get on board the train, then he'll get run over.

Get the bill out already!!!!!

Mitt Romney's answers doesn't indicate anything new though, romney by his words is indicating that he'll wait to see how the right flank of the party reacts before putting down his views. As is his typical strategy, and so far the right wing hates this bill, as can be seen by Demint's and Kobach's statements to the press so far. Romney is a man who fears confrontations of any kind with his base, this was arguably the worst answer he could have given us, and you certainly can't expect Romney to start cruading for us, it's a bit too late too do that. The dems are still opposed and the tea partiers won't budge. This bill still looks at the moment unpassable and until I see House republican congressmen talking of the joys of this bill I will retain that perspective.

It seems to me that Romney is just looking for more votes. Once he's elected he'll lean back towards Kobach.

Prove me wrong Romney!!! (please)

You've got it, Romney knows this bill won't even be voted on this year so he can pretty much drone on and on on how much of a moderate he is. It's all going to depend on the supreme court's ruling of SB 1070. If the court upholds it by a measure of 5-3(it all depends on Kennedy), then expect a new wave of state laws mirroring it, and thus any republican strategy similar to Rubio's will be dismissed by the bolstered right flank. If it's denied, then expect the GOP to try to find a middle ground and conflict between the tea party and the moderates. I expect the former situation to take place though.

Once Romney is elected there is no Dream Act, no immigration reform of any kind. Just the Sb1070 nationwide.

Truthfully there is a lot of speculation in the air, which is expected. However, I'm still not sold on whether the bill will pass or not, as it is not possible for other politicians to critique it a proper fashion util it is released...likewise I'll hold my comments until then as well.

Sinec it is before elections. It does not really matter what Romney thinks.

Well we can use him trying to appeal to Latino audiences (ie. him convincing HoR and Senate repubs to vote for Rubio's bill to get the votes he so desperately needs). With Santorum out of the race he can basically flip off the fair right because he's the lesser evil for them.