Sen. Cornyn’s immigration maneuver
posted at 5:13 pm on April 11, 2009 by Karl
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Allahpundit seems baffled by Sen. John Cornyn’s offer to work with Pres. Obama on “comprehensive immigration reform” this year:
The public’s appetite for amnesty while the economy’s still comatose will almost surely be weaker than it’ll be during an economic recovery next year or the year after. Is that what Cornyn’s thinking? Or is he ready to make a play for Hispanic voters by going the full McCain route here?
I would suggest that the answer is mostly neither of the above.
The recent press coverage of this issue was really a coded message to the open borders lobby that Obama does not intend to do anything publicly on the issue this year. Obama has already stacked far too much on his plate, and he knows that amnesty for illegal immigrants is not only wildly unpopular, but divisive within the Democratic Party.
Sen. Cornyn also knows all of this, which would be a good explanation for his attempt to drag Obama into that particular mudpit. Further overloading Obama’s agenda with an unpopular issue that will divide the Democrats, while energizing the Right? Cornyn would probably love that.
Of course, Cornyn knows that Obama is going to avoid his bipartisan offer like the plague. But he probably had a good laugh composing it.
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Yet another unforced error from The Most Astute Political Mind Of Our Time. This is not unlike Rampage Jackson turning a sloppy triangle choke attempt into a concussive power bomb. Minimum risk, maximum upside. Now he just needs to follow this up in the proper venues, and ultimately, let the Blue Dogs kill this amnesty.
Kid from Brooklyn on April 12, 2009 at 7:41 AM
Good, Cornyn put Obama’s partisanship on the record.
maverick muse on April 13, 2009 at 11:53 AM
With American citizens losing jobs everyday, this would be political suicide for the Dems this year. I can’t believe anyone in the Michigan congressional seats would even want to discuss amnesty this year.
ladyingray on April 13, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Cornyn spammed my inbox with his essay this morning printed in Defence News.
Point is he had a sidebar poll on “issues you want to see adressed”. I voted only for immigration/border issues, and it turned out to be the number one rank in results, so I wasn’t alone.
Surely he’s not so dense as to misunderstand the sentiments of most of his constituents on this issue?
TexasDan on April 13, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Cornyn co-authored a different immigration bill with Kyl that got the Arlen Specter brush off in committee. Cornyn then offered an amendment to the bill that in essence would have gutted the Z-visa and that amendment was voted down by a slim margin. Cornyn has been vocal and on record as being against amnesty for illegals, as has Hutchison. I doubt very seriously he has changed his position and I really hope that Obama takes him up on his offer. If he does, those against amnesty should assist Cornyn in bringing his plan to the public discourse rather than attempt to shout him down.
Texas Gal on April 13, 2009 at 10:17 PM