“Marco, you got to be there. I want you there because of your position in the party.”
Durbin and Schumer, who was in New York, told Obama they had decided to announce their proposals on Monday and were optimistic they could turn them into legislation by March.
“I don’t care that you go first; it doesn’t bother me,” Obama told the senators, as Durbin recalled the conversation. “I’m going to come out with my principles. And I’m also going to put the heat on you to do something. I don’t want this to drag on. I want you to do something.”
Obama told the senators he had a bill ready to send to Congress, but he assured them he would stand down. But if they didn’t act, he promised, he would send his bill to Congress.
Good, the senators agreed; political pressure would help.
On Tuesday evening, after Obama gave his speech at a high school in Las Vegas, the senators met again, arrayed on couches and overstuffed chairs in McCain’s office suite.
McCain came in, in a cheerful mood.
“Well, that wasn’t so bad,” the Arizona senator said.
Rubio also had upbeat news. He had been on Rush Limbaugh’s show, and the influential conservative host had told him what he was doing was “admirable and noteworthy.”
Blowback
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Dick Durbin, master puppeteer.
Marco Rubio, master puppet.
steebo77 on February 3, 2013 at 2:03 PM
Oh, let’s all jump on Rubio because RINO and squishy and devils and SHAMNESTY!!11!1!
John the Libertarian on February 3, 2013 at 2:04 PM
Didn’t take Rubio long to become a beltway crony. I see he has pandering down with the best of ‘em.
Panther on February 3, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Has Obama ever had a bill ready? A memo with ten bullet points is not a bill.
Dusty on February 3, 2013 at 2:10 PM
It’s no so much that Rubio’s pushing for amnesty. It’s that he’s doing it for so little.
Meaningless. Border security will stay substantially the same, regardless of the empty rhetoric out of DC. And even if it is improved, it would do nothing to stop the ~40% of illegal immigrants who simply overstay visas.
And going to the back of the line for legal permanent residency? If you’re allowed to reside in the country while waiting in said line, aren’t you already a de facto permanent resident?
steebo77 on February 3, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Shouldn’t you petition hotair management to change your handle? When you’re taking Marco Rubio’s side over Mike Lee, that does make you RINO and squishy, definitely not libertarian.
sauldalinsky on February 3, 2013 at 2:14 PM
John the Libertarian on February 3, 2013 at 2:04 PM
Nevermind, I think you’re using Libertarian ironically the way I do Alinsky.
sauldalinsky on February 3, 2013 at 2:15 PM
Our new currency Artwork courtesy of Bmore.
And Rush sets the record straight.
TxAnn56 on February 3, 2013 at 2:18 PM
I have an idea, why don’t you in the senate, that means you dingy ding dong harry, pass a budget and stop all this other distraction, crisis krap?
L
letget on February 3, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Rubio said he’d drop out if they didn’t secure
the boarder first . Schumer said that was nonsense
the other day .
Didn’t hear Rubio has walked yet .
Oh , and Big Sis will determine when the boarder is
secured .
Marco , Marco , come out wherever you are .
Tap …..tap….tap….still waiting .
Lucano on February 3, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Bite me. I am an individual with individual thoughts. And my individual brain tells me you cannot get people on the record without offering incentives. True libertarians would just open the border. So bite me.
John the Libertarian on February 3, 2013 at 2:25 PM
So in other words there is good reason to jump on Rubio but lets all stick our heads in the sand and allow people like him to destroy the country we love instead? No thanks.
FloatingRock on February 3, 2013 at 2:52 PM
I thought so, you didn’t sound like a libertarian. Carry on.
sauldalinsky on February 3, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Deflection suits you.
xblade on February 3, 2013 at 3:24 PM
They havent introduced a bill or plan yet?
If Rubio does drop out, he comes away looking really good.
Flapjackmaka on February 3, 2013 at 3:26 PM
Make no mistake, he’s all for open borders.
xblade on February 3, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Lucano on February 3, 2013 at 2:24 PM
They havent introduced a bill or plan yet?
If Rubio does drop out, he comes away looking really good.
Flapjackmaka on February 3, 2013 at 3:26 PM
Yup , I agree however he’s in the shadows 2 days after
Schumers remarks on NOT securing the boarder being
a priority . Oh , and Big Sis being the determining factor .
He’s my senator … I gave him $’s and voted for him .
He’s a very good orator ….. I’m waiting .
Lucano on February 3, 2013 at 4:07 PM