Feeling their Wheaties? Dems pledge to move toward 2010 vote on immigration reform

[babylonsister]

Sounds like they have a lot of confidence; course, that too could change.


Democrats pledge to move toward 2010 vote on immigration reform
By Alexander Bolton - 04/29/10 07:56 PM ET


Senate Democratic leaders said Thursday they are serious about having a vote on immigration this year.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and other Democrats made that pledge as they unveiled their outline of an immigration reform plan, which has been widely viewed as a political exercise to help Reid and other Democrats with Hispanic voters, a growing electoral bloc.

Democratic strategists say the issue is not a clear winner like the Wall Street reform bill; Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the plan’s primary author, acknowledged that dealing with an estimated 10.8 million illegal residents is “morally complex” and “politically explosive.”

Even so, Democrats see it as more divisive for the Republican Party, which is under pressure from “tea party” conservatives to be tough on illegal immigrants but also does not want to lose Hispanic voters.

Schumer insisted a bill could get done this year despite widespread skepticism on and off the Hill that the divisive issue can be tackled.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/95231-democrats-pledge-to-move-toward-a-2010-vote-on-immigration

[The Northerner]

1. So, the Dems will push for it with/without Obama's support?

According to the AP, Obama said it was off the agenda:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8241341

[babylonsister]

2. I imagine he didn't realize Dems have an appetite and want to tackle

this issue. It's got to be done sooner or later, and I imagine Obama would support it if the Dems are interested. The country is, so that says something.

Of course, this could all change tomorrow.

[jenmito]

3. K&R. If congress DOES want to do it, Obama won't stop them. n/t

[SpartanDem]

4. This issue could be a winner

the GOP is stuck between a rock and hard place on this issue. They have a traditionally white, naivest base that isn't just anti illegal immigrant, but anti immigrant altogether. Who have a deport 'em all stance and are opposed to any path to citizenship. Then they have Latino's who've they made some in roads with previous to 2009. You can't please one group without pissing off the other the AZ law is already pitting them against each other.