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| Obama faces political challenge on Arizona case |
| 2010-07-08 |
| The White House has said the decision to challenge Arizona's immigration law was out of its hands, left completely up to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and the lawyers at the Justice Department. But the implications of the suit filed Tuesday are potentially huge for President Obama and the Democratic Party as the election season begins in earnest later this summer. The federal lawsuit all but ensures a politically charged immigration debate will be in the spotlight in many crucial House and Senate contests. Obama will be called upon frequently in the next several months to make the government's case that the Arizona measure unlawfully preempts federal law. As he campaigns for Democrats at town hall meetings around the country, it will be Obama -- not Holder -- who will be at the center of the intense discussion. A senior Democratic strategist said Obama will probably seek to avoid directly defending the government's suit, or attacking the Arizona law, which remains popular in most polls. Americans largely see the law as an effort to do something about illegal immigration in the wake of federal inaction. Instead, Obama will try to argue broadly about the need for comprehensive immigration reform and will say that the Arizona law does not represent the kind of action that he thinks is needed. "There is probably some short term pain politically given how popular the law is," said the Democratic strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the government lawsuit had not been filed at the time. "But considering the demographic changes the country is undergoing, long term, there is a lot of upside in advocating for Latinos and comprehensive immigration reform." The immigration issue is complex and regional, playing out differently in different parts of the country. In border states, anti-immigrant sentiment can run high, but it also often countered by the feelings of large numbers of Hispanic voters. It's an issue that can create political wildfires that are not easily controlled. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) found that out the hard way as he started his campaign for president in 2007 by making much the same argument on behalf of comprehensive immigration reform that Obama now advocates. At one town hall meeting after another, anti-immigration activists bombarded McCain with angry comments, even in places -- such as Iowa and New Hampshire -- where his handlers had not expected huge concern about the issue. McCain abandoned his support of an immigration overhaul in the face of the red-hot anger within his party. Since then, the anger has spread more broadly, helping to spark the tea party movement and push immigration to the forefront in several state election races. Now facing a tough primary challenge in his reelection bid, McCain has endorsed his state's law and wants to send thousands of National Guard soldiers to the border. In a statement issued Tuesday in advance of the Justice Department's official announcement, McCain condemned the decision to challenge the law. "The American people must wonder whether the Obama Administration is really committed to securing the border when it sues a state that is simply trying to protect its people by enforcing immigration law," McCain said in the statement issued in conjunction with Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 If the Dems were on the side of the American people, they'd find a way to make AZ's law work. Instead, they seem to be devoting their time to trying to shove their opinion down the majority's throats by using the institution of government as a tool to accomplish their goal. Makes no sense unless you look at it from a perspective involving payback/corruption/bribery. |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-07-08 22:32 |
| #6 Obama faces political challenge on Arizona case No shit, you just now noticed? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2010-07-08 12:56 |
| #5 Its about Washington above all, no matter the issue. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2010-07-08 12:28 |
| #4 It's an issue that can create political wildfires that are not easily controlled. President Obama could care less about a “misguided” state law. Moreover, he has no intention of pushing congress to pass immigration reform. (Comprehensive or otherwise) Let’s be clear. Immigration continues to be this administrations favorite diversion. First, immigration is a wedge issue and a guaranteed distraction for all sides. Plus it gives the chattering class something other then more reports of a bungled economy to blather about on the evening news. Promises of the most transparent WH may be coming to fruition – just not the way they meant. |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2010-07-08 12:25 |
| #3 As we grumble and the law suit drags on Zero is waiting. He will lose the law suit, and he knows it. By the end of 2011 he will announce his plan of amnesty for the millions. Blame the right for being bigots and say he is only trying to help the minorities from the haters on the right. He will do this just in time for the elections. We are not yet inside his decision cycles yet. If he plays the timing right he will be reelected. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2010-07-08 11:53 |
| #2 I heard this the other day. Since Obamaa says fences and armed guards won't work, why doesn't he tear down the White House fence and fire HIS guards? |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2010-07-08 11:18 |
| #1 "But considering the demographic changes the country is undergoing, long term, there is a lot of upside in advocating for Latinos and comprehensive immigration reform." Decadence defined: buying office by deliberately trashing state budgets, schools and hospitals/ERs. Latin America North, that's us. Oligarchy is here. |
| Posted by: lex 2010-07-08 10:24 |