If I had a snare drum, I'd do a rim shot
The big news is President Obama’s announcement that his administration will stop deporting "Dreamers" - undocumented immigrants who were brought here as children - and will grant them work permits.
From Politico: "[T]he policy shift is Obama’s latest and perhaps most controversial flexing of administration power to bend a reality that Congress wouldn’t change. Comprehensive immigration reform remains untouched, the DREAM Act — which would create a path to citizenship for some young illegal immigrants — is all but dead on Capitol Hill.
But Friday, the president went as far under federal policy as he could without Congress. There’s no path to citizenship, but hundreds of thousands of young people born abroad and brought into the country illegally no longer have to worry that they’ll be deported as soon as they finish high school. ..."
As you can imagine, this has really stirred up the Hispanic community - the biggest name in US Spanish media, Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, said this is the best news for immigrants in this country since 1986.
Hmmm .. that would be Saint Reagan's amnesty.
This is a great trap for Republicans .. the policy will be welcomed by the Hispanic community, and boost the president's standing with them. If Team Romney objects, it will further alienate the Hispanics.
On the other hand, if they fail to object, they'll tick off their radical rightie base .. who will react in ways that will turn some voters off.
Like fer example - Iowa Rep. Steve King - a gift that keeps on giving - who regularly trashes immigrants, is now vowing to sue to stop Obama’s new policy. I'd bet good money that this will trigger a rash of ugly rhetoric that will only remind Hispanics why they’ve shied away from the GOP in the first place .. not to mention scaring moderate swing voters.
So, no matter all of the Super PAC money .. the radical right talking heads who trash and do stunts will keep this in the news and only help Obama’s re-election chances.
All of a sudden, after repeatedly vowing to veto the DREAM Act, Romney suggests he has no problem with Obama's new policy.
I have to say that I'm usually against folks arriving here illegally and staying here - though what would happen to our agriculture economy without them - I always thought allowing military service was a good way to earn citizenship. But if these kids meet the mentioned criteria, pay taxes, stay out of trouble and be productive citizens, I have no problem with them being here .. after all, they came here as babies, this is the only home they've ever known. Their hearts are American. Sometimes being principled means also being practical.
Team Obama, with all the gaffs and lukewarm polls, just keeps on chugging along -- bringing up specific issues each month for the news media to focus on ... and for the GOP to holler about.
Jan - pass the payroll tax cut.
Feb - contraception coverage for all women, "war on women."
March - Buffett Rule.
April - student loan interests.
May - gay marriage (unintended, maybe) /Bain capital.
June - temp work visas for young undocumented immigrants
Maybe next will be the Cayman islands/tax fairness .. and then we have education and infrastructure.
Cue more cartoon elephants with exploding heads ...
