Posted on 05/20/2010 4:55:10 PM PDT by Steelfish
Democrats Point The Finger At Obama's Chief of Staff For Immigration Reform's Poor Progress
Rahm Emanuel, who in the past referred to the issue as the 'third rail of American politics,' has argued privately that it's a bad time to push an immigration bill.
By Peter Nicholas May 20, 2010
Prospects for an immigration overhaul are fizzling this year and some Democratic lawmakers are focusing blame on the pugnacious Democratic operative who works just down the hall from President Obama.
Rahm Emanuel, White House chief of staff and longtime party strategist, has argued privately that it's a bad time for Democrats to push an immigration bill, a potential land mine in the midst of a crucial midterm election year. Emanuel's stance, coupled with his long-held wariness about the politics of immigration, is emboldening key Democrats to come forward and ask that he step aside from the issue.
"There's always a sense that no matter how hard we work, to get through the White House, we have to get through Rahm," said U.S. Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.). "I would like immigration not to be part of the chief of staff's portfolio. It would make our ability to convince and access decision-makers in the White House a lot easier."
Emanuel has a complicated history with the immigration issue, dating back to the 1990s. As a top aide to former President Bill Clinton, he stressed the message that Clinton was hard-nosed about policing illegal immigration.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Just stealing the jobs Americans used to have.
The Democrats know that if the illegals aren’t casting votes this November, they’re toast.
The ballerina will save amnesty for the ‘12 election when BO will need every Mexican’s vote to be re-elected.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't these same Democrat lawmakers control both houses of Congress? If they really wanted to pass an amnesty bill, they would have done it already.
Haven’t they figured it out yet. The empty suit only has one issue of importance. Partying!
I’d give Rahm Emanuel the “finger” to. Guess which one.
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