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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has not yet unveiled a detailed immigration-reform bill, but he did sit down with the Wall Street Journal the other day to sketch out the blueprint of a plan he intends to unveil. In an interesting twist, the White House is delighted with Rubio's vision.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters yesterday that Rubio's proposals "bode well for a productive, bipartisan debate," and may very well signal "a change in the Republican approach to this issue."
Why would President Obama and his team be encouraged by a right-wing senator who badly bungled his own immigration push last summer? Because as Adam Serwer explained, Rubio is basically copying and pasting from the immigration-reform plan Obama presented nearly two years ago.
[C]onservative pundits have showered Rubio with praise. The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin called Rubio's proposal "bold," and the Daily Caller's Matt Lewis writes that "although there is opportunity here, this is still an act of political courage." Rubio also drew approval from 2012 GOP vice-presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who wrote on Facebook that "I support the principles he's outlined."
Conservatives hailing Rubio may not realize how close to President Barack Obama he has moved on immigration, but opponents of reform, such as the Center for Immigration Studies' Mark Krikorian, certainly noticed. "There's nothing substantive in Rubio's proposal that wouldn't immediately be agreed to by President Obama," Krikorian says. "This is the Rubio-Obama immigration plan."
Krikorian added that Obama's plan is eerily similar to George W. Bush immigration reform proposal that conservatives killed in 2007, but therein lies the point: there's a mainstream consensus on what a sensible immigration policy should look like, and were it not for far-right Republicans, it'd sail through Congress and be signed into law with ease.
Even Marco Rubio now seems to understand this, and in the wake of the 2012 elections, he's moving further from his party's base and closer to the mainstream, where Obama's been waiting.
After all, what does the president have in mind? Among other things, a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers and more visas for highly skilled workers ready to come to the U.S.
And what does Rubio support? The exact same thing. Serwer added:
The centerpiece of Rubio's proposal -- his plan to handle the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants who are already here -- is strikingly similar to the plan Obama described it in 2011. Rubio told the Journal that undocumented immigrants in the US would need clean records, and that they would have to "pay a fine, pay back taxes, maybe even do community service. They would have to prove they've been here for an extended period of time. They understand some English and are assimilated. Then most of them would get legal status and be allowed to stay in this country." Eventually, the Journal says, Rubio's proposal would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for citizenship.
All of Rubio's immigration reform criteria -- fines, back taxes, proof of residence, background checks, and learning English -- are part of Obama's plan.
At a certain level, I care more about the policy than who gets credit for the ideas. If Rubio wants to take the president's plan, put a new name at the top, and convince the right it's a Republican-friendly version, so be it. Indeed, Rubio's contempt for Obama suggests the senator may want to maintain the fiction, at least publicly, that his plan is somehow distinct from the White House's.
But putting the Republican's posturing aside, the obvious overlap between the two similar approaches makes the odds of legislative success that much better.
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If Obama's for it then Rubio will be against it.
And Rubio will have a lot of Republican company. The Prime Directive is: if Obama is for it, we're against it.
It will be hilarious to watch Rubio distance himself from his own bill once he realizes that the President supports it. =)
Rubio won't distance himself from the bill. He is an ambitious young man who wants to seek a higher office, possible in 2016. A Ryan and Rubio ticket would sit very well with the hard right.
He will be against it before he was for it! :)
I disagree Mike. the hard right is against any path to citzenship or even legal recognition for the existing illegal immigrant population. If Rubio doesn't distance himself, he will be a non-starter for VP.
But putting the Republican's posturing aside, the obvious overlap between the two similar approaches makes the odds of legislative success that much better
Yeah, right. As soon as Obama puts his death hug on it, the TPer's will throw a hissy fit, the NRA will issue a call to arms to protect us from the Mexican scourge, and Fox will announce the coming apocalypse. Rubio and his plan will get thrown under the bus faster than you can say "Illegals ate my baby!"
Beat me to it .
It will be like a Jon Stewart double take ..WWWHHHHAAAATTT? Obama likes it????
Pass the popcorn. They won't be able to resist hating on some immigrants ,it's in their DNA
You know there is something that is really sickening when people are talking about the Military. People say we do our job and get the mission done. But what it really is getting the job done of murder and the mission of murder. Are we that so insensitive that we sit there and glamorize butchering, destroying, and killing. What are we as a species when we sit there acting like it is a great and wonder thing what we do in the Military? When the main mission is to murder someone and we have the balls to call murder something to do in the name of peace. Geesh as a species we are majorly screwed up.
...where did that come from.
Another Obama kills with drones and didn't get out of the Middle East his second day in office posts by one of those who cheer lead GWB into Iraq posts.
Well think about it, we go and do certain things like war and when you get down to it, it is so crazy. Sure, we feel for the people that have to fight in these wars and all the carnage that occurs, but in the end, we put them there by our own stupidity as a species. Now how crazy or insane is that? It is like all we are doing is running around aimlessly like a bunch of apes. Especially, when we could of long time ago already been doing things in better ways.
No we did not 1 party of war mongering fools did that all by themselves. They were the ones who created terrorists then were surprised by the reaction they got once the terrorists found themselves without a USSR to blame for their woes. Really you need to look into the history of the Middle East and the ties with the GOP/oil barons.
I understand whomitmay and agree with you, but these people are still of our species and the really stupid part of our species too. Because they are the same type of worthless rich bastards throughout our history constantly causing trouble. But why do we keep sitting still as these idiots keep doing this crap, when we really should be rejecting them and kick their worthless butts out the door. And than never let those deadbeats around to influence and cause trouble anymore. And on top of it there is far better things we could be doing in the middle east than what we have been doing there.
"Among other things, a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers and more visas for highly skilled workers ready to come to the U.S."
So just like with our justice system and our healthcare system, we will have a two-tier immigration system -- one system for those financially well-off and one for everyone else?
The reason we have so many immigrants come to this country illegally is that there is no LEGAL way for most of the people who want to escape their hopeless economic system to come here. If we don't create more opportunities for those people to come here legally, instead of reserving the opportunities for the already-affluent, the number of people coming here illegally will not change.
I guess the Repub formula is if you can't find the new Ronald Reagan, create one out of a mix of George Jetson and Ricky Ricardo for your millennium conservative. Then send him out with a stolen idea.
I agree, and hope a purposeful bill makes its way to law.
"...called Rubio's proposal "bold," and the Daily Caller's Matt Lewis writes that "although there is opportunity here, this is still an act of political courage."
Frankly, I'm disgusted hearing of "bold, political courage" being applied by the corporate owned lame-stream media whenever a GOTP politician puts forward a "plan" on any issue! Reforming our immigration system must happen for the good of the nation. As a child of immigrants Marco Rubio is a perfect example of "the American Dream" - and yet until this plan was put forward he's been such a disappointment specifically because he was so far too the right on immigration.
Of course once the GOTP really understand what's in this plan, they'll denounce it and him as RINO or quietly slip it under the rug. Hopefully this "plan" will really take the GOTP over the edge and they'll implode, with those republicans that still have common sense, sanity and logic going on to forge a new party that's not insane/homophobic/xenophobic/reality based/terrified of ALL they see.
Much like health care reform , education reform , wall st reform etc , when it comes time to vote on it , rubio and the gop will fight tooth and nail to kill it , as they have done repeatedly over the last 30 years , not only that , they will fight to destroy it after it passes , at this point I do not even listen to these poseurs on these issues , you either have enough dems to pass sane legislation , or you do not
It would be nice to see the msm call rubio and the gop out on such propaganda when they start yapping on it , but that is not going to happen either , the romney free press has been solidified
"...called Rubio's proposal "bold," and the Daily Caller's Matt Lewis writes that "although there is opportunity here, this is still an act of political courage."
Frankly, I'm disgusted hearing of "bold, political courage" being applied by the corporate owned lame-stream media whenever a GOTP politician puts forward a "plan" on any issue! Reforming our immigration system must happen for the good of the nation. As a child of immigrants Marco Rubio is a perfect example of "the American Dream" - and yet until this plan was put forward he's been such a disappointment specifically because he was so far too the right on immigration.
Of course once the GOTP really understand what's in this plan, they'll denounce it and him as RINO or quietly slip it under the rug. Hopefully this "plan" will really take the GOTP over the edge and they'll implode, with those republicans that still have common sense, sanity and logic going on to forge a new party that's not insane/homophobic/xenophobic/reality based/terrified of ALL they see.
"Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offence. …"
As 2013 opens, guns are in the news again, with the tragic mass murders by a lone gunman inside a Newtown, CT elementary school. Ordinary Americans are numbed by the senselessness. At the same time, immigration and attempts to reform it are also in the news. Are the two issues seen as fairly related?
Read more at
http://lifeamongtheordinary.blogspot.com/2013/01/lenses-filters-and-walls.html
Self promotion on comment boards is quite low...
This issue is another illustration that conservative Tea Party folk and the like really don't care about policy despite all their rhetoric about "principled positions." They care about being "respected" as true, brave, loyal and real Americans. It feels very disrespectful to them if liberal, minority, or progressive ideas and leaders earn public approval. It threatens their identity as the natural and supreme source of wisdom and leadership. So, source of policy is far more important to them than substance of policy (which is almost irrelevant).
Greetings! Rachel
Of a truth the republican party is on their way out of contention for any electoral success.
Rubio used the RNC credit card for haircuts and a tune up, and is attached to David Rivera. People who consider him a "star" will be in for a big letdown. And this "proposal" is not on paper, lets see what happens when Rubio starts getting pressure from Heritage and AFP...
Excuse me while I don't hold my breath.
Two words: Obam-ney Care
It's Rubio's "contempt" for Obama that stokes Latinos' contempt for Rubio. His manner with the President does not sit well with Latinos who see it as a sell out to the attitude of superiority they are well familiar with from the 'White' skinned brethren.
interesting.......
To reduce immigration what say we deport the second generation, just be sure they enter legally?
NIH -- Not Invented Here. That is one Teathuglicant mantra that they use consistently. It would be hilarious if it weren't so pathetic: the black guy proposes a law. In one Congressional session, he is vilified by the Teathugs for even mentioning it and the Democrats, lacking a consistently functioning spine, cower. The "good" Hispanic (read old money Cuban crime family immigrants) proposes the same thing and he is the second coming. UNTIL someone points out that it is the same as the Obama adaptation of GWB immigration bill, THEN the good Hispanic throws his own legislation under the bus, just like Robme did with Romneycare. FINALLY, some Democrats with some with fully functioning spines, brains, and leverage introduce it and it passes. About 14 years too late, just like healthcare insurance, but there you go.
Ya know, I've GIVEN UP on trying to wrap my head around the Right Wing way of thinking. Think about it, they can't even think AS INDIVDUALS anymore. They're like THE BORG !! They think COLLECTIVELY !!! Only difference is THEY NEED A TANK in order to think. Their brains can't function without it.
As the above relates to this issue, Sen. Rubio will suddenly come down with a case of MARCONESIA & TOTALLY FORGET he EVER supported this when it comes time for the rubber to hit the road. That's the way Repubs deal with ALL cases of what they once called the Kerry Syndrome these days
This is another person on the right that has TOKEN written all over him.
My family came here from Cuba in the early 1960s and I have listened to family stories and researched a lot on my own as well.
And what makes me doubly angry with Rubio and Ted Cruz is that they are Cubans who are being self righteous about the fact that they, and their families came here *legally*. And they learned *English*. Ladi-freaking-da.
Every single Cuban who sets foot on American soil is a legal immigrant. Castro tried to call the bluff by releasing criminals and sending them here. And yes, they were legal as well. This still applies to this day.
Also, during the massive immigration from Cuba in the 1960s, the Catholic Church, as well as the Cold War obsessed government gave massive assistance to the Cuban immigrants. Massive. My mother came here at the age of 10 and went to private Catholic schools until she graduated at no cost to my grandparents. They were given food, free housing, jobs, night school English classes - again, at no cost to them. And many Americans accepted and embraced them because they were "rescued from communism" during the height of the cold war.
And now they want to speak out and say that their families where immigrants just like any others and that they came here penniless and made on their own because of the "American Dream"? Really?! Interesting revisionist history there, guys.
Ask the average Mexican immigrant how much of this kind of assistance and acceptance they receive.
Rubio, Cruz and their ilk are despicable. And by the way, it was JFK - a *gasp* LIBERAL Democrat president who made this all possible for them.
@#$%^ these jokers.
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE..?
It’s yet another form of corruption where illegal immigration has become a standard of big business “Ruling the Roost”. After the 1986 promise never to submit a bill for another Comprehensive Immigration Reform or some type of Amnesty, Obama and his mob of Inquisitors who don’t respect the Constitution are pushing for another Path to Citizenship for 20 million plus foreign nationals who spit on our laws. Another policy as before will just attract millions more people in poverty adding to our own. The quota system years back worked very well, but it was not good enough for the special interests, organized religion, unions and other inept organizations. Certain nationalities gained a working visa to enter the United States and it was a FAIR AND EQUITY way for individuals to immigrate. All we have to do is enforce the laws we have now, including passing most prominent laws that sit dormant ready to be voted on? These are Legal Workforce Act and the Birthright Citizenship bill. In the long run these laws could save taxpayers Trillions of dollars in education, health treatments for every illegal family, homes for low income and a load of benefits for the children of illegal aliens smuggled calculatingly into America. Using E-Verify and its growing innovations to electronically locate and deport illegal workers in jobs, which should belong to the 24 millions of Americans and the less fortunate existing on the streets. Our population is growing every year from legal and illegal immigration, with a proportion managing to gain entrance through CHAIN MIGRATION of immediate family members and there is a rising need to reduce it, otherwise we will have shortages of portable water, energy supplies and chaos on the crumbling road systems and retirement for people who never paid a cent into the system. Learn more from around the country with the lies and propaganda from the Liberal Progressives from the true believer in the Rule of Law at the “AMERICAN PATROL site.
Then again, until the special interest money is taken away from Congress, the general public hardly has any say in the policies of any administration? The rot inside the beltway is so intense, the little guy, the small politicians with expectations becomes malleable to their own parties. Ron Paul is correct that the Federal Reserve is as corrupt as any lawmaker. The 41 million plus TEA PARTY states that if you grew up in the in the 1950s and 1960s, you remember a time when the average husband could easily support his family – without putting his wife to work. You remember a banking system that was a good, honest steward of your money. And you remember when a dollar was a dollar… and every dime and quarter was made of 90% silver. Today, millions of two-income families are struggling to make ends meet. The same $1 that once bought you three gallons of gas will only buy you one-third of a gallon. And the price of everything else, from health care to food to electricity and even college tuition continues to soar. Make no mistake; this dollar crisis is destroying the American middle class. And one organization has been its chief architect: The Federal Reserve. Did you know…Thanks to the actions of the Fed, the basic necessities of life have become so expensive, according to a recent National Retirement Confidence Survey, 70% of American workers plan to work for pay after they retire. It’s true.
And I’m sure you’ve noticed how much harder it is to plan for the future and confidently invest in the stock market. Everything we’ve worked for is at risk of being taken away. All the wars Americans have died for to claim our freedom from dictatorship, is slowly fading as those in power are accumulating votes by pampering not only illegal aliens but the freeloaders, who have no intention of working for a living. All those people who voted for King Obama and his Imperial court must be mystified by more and more dollars being extracted by his administration and not just from wealthy amongst us. And a growing number of Americans are saying, “Enough is enough. This madness has to stop!” Here at The Project to Restore America – we fully support Ron Paul’s push to Audit the Fed. And we’re encouraged to see a new bill has been introduced by Congressman Paul Broun this year. But a major showdown waits in Washington DC, where powerful forces are plotting to crush any attempt to bring transparency to the Federal Reserve. My question to you is – will you let them to continue to gut the value of the dollar… or… choose to fight back? I’m not asking for your money. Nor am I asking you to attend a political rally. But we need to let our Congressmen hear this message loud and clear: It’s time to Audit the Fed! We’ve created a special one-click petition that will ensure your Congressman knows where you stand in the weeks ahead. If you are with me and share in Ron Paul’s sentiments on this issue go to “The Project to Restore America”. As individuals we may be helpless to challenge the powers that be. But together we are strong enough to flood Washington with support for this historic bill…and return fiscal sanity to our country.
Okay, so during the potato famine, all of the Irish immigrants came off the boats 100% legal? Italians? Jewish folks? Cubans?
What about the Europeans who came here in the 1600s? These poor fools couldn't take care of themselves at all, damned weak freeloaders they where!
The natives helped them get on their feet (welfare!). In return, the illegal European immigrants spit in the face of native laws and had no respect for their way of life at all!
Yes, please. Let's deport all illegal immigrants. ALL OF THEM.