He just doesn't care.
He seems to think of himself as belonging to a certain elite class of politicians-part of a political dynasty-that is immune to public dissatisfaction.
That's why whenever some numbskull mentions that prospect of his big brother Jeb being given the White House my veins start to bulge and I have to restrain myself from making a comment that I'll later regret.
Whereas I disagree on this point. That's how you view him because he's opposed to something you favor. There is no indication to suggest he sees himself in that manner at all.
When his intractable stances lead, to an example, in refusing to withdraw from Iraq from political pressure that's considered a good thing.
It isn't a strain of elitism, it's simply a hardline aspect of his personality that comes into play on what he believes that I really wouldn't trade. Even if on THIS issue, it infuriates because he's on the wrong side. I'd rather politicians be honest about their beliefs and fight for them, then cater to damn polls and lie through their teeth. There is NO question in my mind that is what he is doing. And he's entitled to stick to his conscience, one he alerted voters to.
Just as you, and I, and everyone else has the right to stick to their conscience and oppose it strongly and even base their votes in the fall on this issue if they choose. The people I despise are in the Congress. No principle, no set beliefs. Only political calculations drive them. In this case, imo, they've made the wrong calculation but I don't believe they are urging amnesty because in their core they believe it's "humanitarian". As I think is what is really driving the President here. No, they are doing it because they fear being labeled bigots, fear loss of business contributions, or are pandering for votes.