The White House had planned to wait until 2011 to spring the amnesty of illegals to bolster his own candidacy for 2012 by making himself look good to Hispanics. The problem with that strategy is the House and Senate midterms need it now. In a move that many on the right were waiting for, Obama has held a closed door session with Senators Graham and Schumer to introduce legislation before the 2010 election to clear a path for the 10 million illegal aliens who are about to hold a rally in Washington DC on March 21.
The Democrats need a wedge issue to make Republicans look bad to blunt the anticipated losses that are on the immediate horizon.
According to the LA Times – “Nick Shapiro, a White House spokesman, said the president's support for an immigration bill, which would also include improved border security, was "unwavering."
Participants in the White House gathering also pointed to an immigration rally set for March 21 in Washington as a way to spotlight the issue and build needed momentum.
Though proponents of an immigration overhaul were pleased that the White House wasn't abandoning the effort, they also wanted Obama to take on a more assertive role, rather than leave it to Congress to work out a compromise.
Immigration is a delicate issue for the White House. After promising to revamp in his first year of office what many see as a fractured system, Obama risks angering a growing, politically potent Latino constituency if he defers the goal until 2011.”
The White house says that the “support for an immigration bill will also include improved border security that is unwavering” yet his proposed 2011 budget reduces funding for the “border security” apparatus.
According to the Examiner – “This is only the beginning," said political strategist Mike Baker. "There will be more cuts made to Immigration and Customs Enforcement since President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others have been critical of agents going after illegal workers. This budget is going to be all smoke and mirrors."
The other win-win for Obama and the sudden push for amnesty is his promise that his healthcare bill would not include coverage for illegal immigrants. This way he can keep a promise and is desperate to keep at least one. The topic, at a time when the White House should be working on jobs, is a powder keg of division. When you mix the two subjects (amnesty & Healthcare bill) you end up with situations like the one that happened at a Texas town hall meeting in August 2009 when a La Raza member who was protesting the anti-Obama healthcare crowd while wrapped in a Mexican flag became violent and assaulted another protestor. It was captured on You Tube video, but has been removed from the site. You can read about here.
You know when the Democrats are agitated on the upcoming elections when their own, Howard Dean is complaining that the Health Care bill is “hanging out Democrat incumbents to dry”!
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