"So why in the world did the Republican senator immediately denounce a policy outline he ostensibly agrees with? What makes Rubio think it's a good idea to oppose his own priorities?"

Because he's drunk too much of that Republican stupid tea.

Rubio wants to be President. Presidents are know for accomplishing things, not merely opposing them. He can count. He knows his Hispanic name will only take his so far. He has to be a leader on this issue if he is to win the White House. Rubio wants credit for real reform, he doesn't get it unless he opposes the plan and then claims credit for the whole thing when he suggests some minor changes. Either he is performing kabuki or he is as dumb as a box of rocks. Hell, he could be both.

"Is Rubio interested in passing immigration reform, or does he want credit for being the kind of GOP senator who is interested in immigration reform."

Nah, he wants to change one word out of 100,000 words so he can then claim entire ownership all while making a big stink to please the Useful Idiots who won't really be paying attention to details and when the final thing is done will claim it was all their little silly man's idea all along.

He's setting himself up to be the GOP answer man on immigration, the "Serious Person" who really really wants to do something, but just can't be suckered into jumping on to the first proposal thrown his way. This will insure that he gets lots of interview requests, to get his name out there.

But that is just the jumping off point for him - He can't get pigeonholed into the immigration thing. He can play the Hispanic card, but only so far. Otherwise, he's just another hispanic GOP wannabe who will get used to draw voters then thrown under the bus as soon as the next great white savior comes along.

Little boy Rubio is lying on his back kicking his feet crying and snot bubbling. I wanted to do it, I wanted to do it. My oh my, kids these days. If they do'nt get their way they throw a tantrum.

"What makes Rubio think it's a good idea to oppose his own priorities?"

I'd say it's because of the Chris Christie example. If Rubio ever even once appears to agree with PBO on anything, the moronic repuke base will declare him a RINO, throw him under the proverbial bus, and primary him from the right. I'm not quite sure who would be even farther right than Rubio, but maybe Attila the Hun's still available.

"On the one hand, the senator has accomplished nothing during his brief career"

I seem to remember a senator from the Chicago area that this statement could easily fit also. Didn't he then become President?

Just saying.

Republicans have boxed themselves into a shrinking segment of the population, becoming a regionalized and generally rural party with little appeal to anyone of the moderate persuasion. Most indicative of the Republicans' withering is their refusal to treat the largest minority population in the United States -- Hispanics -- as anything close to legitimate Americans or citizens, and in their outrageous rhetoric on immigration. Their idea that one or two brown faces (see; Rubio, Marco) will soothe the Hispanic masses is ludicrous and another sign of their racial insensitivity. These "illegal" immigrants are as American as any one of us. - progressive

Republicans need to SEEM to support immigration reform. They also need to be against whatever Obama is for. If Obama's proposals are known before Republican ideas are known, Republicans must oppose the Obama ideas - even if Republicans would have supported those same ideas in their own proposal.

It's the same as unified Republican opposition to everything in Obamacare. They HAD to oppose their own ideas once Obama proposed the same ones.

No, it doesn't make sense. But that is at the heart of what is happening here.

There is political wisdom in keeping your mouth shut.
Someone should have told Rubio that.
What ever credibility he had on the immigration issue is now gone and any favor Repubs hoped to curry with Latino voters just went with it.

Most Republicans are "useful idiots" and Obama is using them to advance his long game.

As an example, look how he "allowed" them to change the Affordable Care Act into "ObamaCare".

Long after he has shuffled off his mortal coil, "ObamaCare" will still stand beside FDR's Social Security and LBJ's Medicare.

oops- double post

Republicans are walking a political tightrope. The party establishment knows they need to act, but the base is philosophically opposed to any meaningful action. Democrats have a much stronger hand in that can more easily play up action as a success of their policies and inaction as another example of GOP obstruction. For Republicans, the political path is much narrower: achieving reforms which are substantial enough to matter but not so substantial as to alienate their base while also crafting a public perception that they are the ones overcoming Democratic obstruction and thus deserve at least the lion's share of the credit.

That's why they absolutely need any successful legislation to be "The Rubio Plan" and not "The Obama Plan". They need this to be seen as a Republican effort. Otherwise, they look weak. They look like they are capitulating on policy to Democrats. That is exactly what is happening, but they cannot afford an accurate public perception. They are only doing this because political realities are forcing them to, and if they look at the outcome as handing as a political win to Democrats, then they likely won't see it as being worth the internal friction with their base. In light of this reality, giving them something else to oppose may actually be productive towards getting legislation through.

Otherwise, the most likely scenario has Republicans opposing and killing a bill, then pointing fingers at the White House. "It's not our fault! That mean Mister Obama made us vote against it!" Hopefully they realize how transparently flimsy such a political case would be to the American public, and decide against taking that route.

Rubio is the point man on immigration reform, and Paul Ryan is the go-to guy on the budget? The Republicans are in a lot more trouble than I think they realize.

So why in the world did the Republican senator immediately denounce a policy outline he ostensibly agrees with? What makes Rubio think it's a good idea to oppose his own priorities?

Because once Obama agrees to a repuke position, it becomes the worst idea in the world!

Marco Rubio takes his cues from Jim DeMint. He is "for" immigration reform only on talking points, not on action. His "I'm one of you" stance is paper thin and as soon as he actually states policy, he is right wingnut to the core.

Prediction;

Sept 16, 2016 - Immediately after their first debate, Marco Rubio turns to Hillary and politely asks for her autograph. "It's for my daughter," says a blushing Rubio.

< hahaha I don't know where this stuff comes to me from >

Hi Rachael,

I have very high level respect and full faith in the President.

However, kids of Legal non-immigrants - who are still in line since so many years to get a Green Card ... are treated as International Student when they apply for college admission. Because they cannot have a Social Security number....! These kids of Legal non-immigrants have studied here in USA since their Elementary school. Yet, they do not get benefit like other kids who are children of illegal immigrants...! ( Who have yet not paid their past dues...!).

The legal non-immigrants are here on a work visa. And they are paying same tax and social security as an US Citizens. But, their kids need to pay fees as per International student, they can not work part time....they can not get a student loan...!

If we send these kids back to their country of origin, those countries' college treats them as International Student because they are NOT high School Graduate from that Country...! And this is obvious...because Education system can be different among countries.

But the children who studied only US constitution in their school... the children who knowns only national anthem ...which is US National Anthem...The Parents & kids are legally present in USA...Don't you think should get a first chance to get such relief?

Thanks,

is there any place on here where you can just say that ya don't like Rachel???... And let me say first I have lesbian friends so this is nothing to do with that... I just get sick of her smug, pretentious silliness. What makes her think she is any better than any other talking head on TV. Blatant Biased reporting as bad if not worse than the people she rants against... I must admit I DO NOT watch her that often, I try but it's annoying. And so you'll know I am NOT a Republican Conservative. I voted "Gary Johnson" ... That however is even worse to a Liberal Democrat.. Because I want even less Government than those Conservative Republicans... and Lets face it if the Democrat's had there way The government would be even bigger than it is now... TAX everyone and we would all either work for the Government or get a hand out from the government... OOOOOOOps I am ranting sorry ... I assure you this is my last trip to this website... Just had to let someone know that you guys are VERY annoying

If morality were restored to the immigration problem, we would have a serious choice to make between the destinations of heaven or hell.

I think there might be moral case to made for using 11 million plus as pawns, the USA Today leak/ cattle prod, served to remind all that these millions have long been used in as political pawns. The leak back up plan indicated 8 years after all of the other considerable requirements were met, of that be the case, then so be it. But the Senators plan does not even address the illegals at all because 8 years won't be punishment enough.

Passing a Rubio/conservative plan is equal to no plan at all. If plan that is not a plan is passed in a forest is ever to be heard from again?

So where is the Plan?

The Octopus Commission, Snake Eating Tail … not an improvement.

1) Border Security - Very similar to the wars Americans love to get into and have fought, except in this case they won’t be able to declare victory and they can't go home.

The poison pill is obvious it's like the local NRA supporting Sheriff saying there are no guns that don't need to be out matched by better guns, no border will ever be enough of a border, and there is no security that will ever be good enough. The fence is on the wrong side of the border, the US is yielding territory.

:: Since this criteria cannot be satisfied, this plan and no other plan can go forward based in the "southern border states commission".

[Border Security will be needed long after 11 million are made whole, but the blame is on the laxity for which generations of Americans must share the consequences. We have been led by Congress for generations to purposefully allow huge immigration. There are, a whole number of economic policies that produced the habit, of large immigration. The history shows that this was the intention, now as we reach economic crisis, we have had nearly hysterical reaction lasting years, from the most ignorant of the masses, claiming that what took 100 years to achieve, can be resolved in an instant, when at the same time as time has all but escaped us. We cannot claim past years '07, '08, '09, '10, '11, '12, and '13 as a starting point.]

2) Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S. - Senators could recommend civics lessons to Senators as well as US Citizens.

Poison Pill #2 When is a solution not a solution? So if we slow legal immigrants then we speed up illegal immigrants? "… after every legal immigrant receives their green card AND speaks English AND registers AND pays penalties AND pays back taxes AND undergoes background check; only them will an undocumented illegal immigrant be eligible… ". The USA Today leak hinted at 8 years plus these restrictions

Senator Rubio: "In negotiations, he may have pushed the group to accept the stricter border enforcement policies in exchange for agreement on this point." Negotiations generally mean that you take something and you give something, but in clever man's case, you take something and you take something more.

So if 1) cannot be satisfied and 2) cannot be satisfied the Senator's proposal in reality says No twice.

3) Dreamers and Agricultural Workers - Then there is the proof needed that "no American was available for the job". This easily countered by finding one, just one who will, thus this becomes a green card trap.

Coming to the US is thought of as way of self-improvement so what makes you think they would remain agricultural workers for long? A true dream would be to work on automated robotic equipment to plant, cultivate and to harvest crops. Who's going to finance this education (farm corporations, I jest?), why would want to provide so many college graduates with no job, as is currently done (again I digress)? And why are business so dependent government munificence, laws regulations (while complaining so)? Military service for young people is too expensive (for lots of reasons, Eh?); why not just send young people to the farms and fields for agricultural service (never mind the Chinese)?

4) New Immigrants - It's not exactly the best idea to import the best and the brightest from the rest of the world. It deprives the rest of the world from the talent they need (then they may need tour of the US to learn its failures first hand).

It does not address the problem of 'not addressing' the 'talent crisis', for American citizens, who for undiscovered reasons don't succeed in education or employment to become technologists, scientists, engineers or mathematicians (STEM). No one knows why most educators are unaware of this STEM for non-Americans only phenomena, they have to fess up. (They are all English majors?)

Since these proposed changes are, in part designed to increase or speedup or reduce backlogs, by the reason implied in the statement 2) above, "… after every legal immigrant receives their green card will an undocumented immigrant be eligible… ", it means that no illegal immigrant can ever be more that a green card holding agriculture workers, waiting in line.

Then the EB-5 program i.e., "Different: President Obama pitched an idea called “Start-Up Visa.” Foreign entrepreneurs build new businesses in the U.S. with backing by American investors. If they flop, they pack up and head home. If the company succeeds, they’ll win a ticket to remain permanently." This essentially says foreign owned business first, Americans second, this says a lot, if can listen?

Senators who have led the charge to get government out of government and business WANT to measure the ebb and flow of the economy and have the POWER to cap visas. The same 'Senate' group that only uses new unemployment claims, does not want to measure unemployment, under employment and employments that makes no sense; so that we don’t know what might cause trouble for Senators running for office? It cannot be left unsaid that Senators really do want power, they really like power, but they have to acknowledge that fact AND with that power Senators want to control business, control the economy, control their campaign donors, control their lobbyist. (A historian might well see the comparison between Roman Senators who had their own spy networks and commanded their own armies.) (A Constitutionalist would have to trace the power of the Senate to the unique ability granted to make its own rules, written or unwritten and processes that would not see the light of day.)

5) Employment Verification - This system is implemented using the social security number. For the purposes of discussion, this is or is not a national identity system. It might well benefit to be upgraded for theft and fraud. However (just complaint really) if an employee works for more than one employer and W-2 withholdings overlap, then the worker might pay too much Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid (not that bad). The employer discovering this; might not understand that their employee has a second job (needs one), might not like this fact and you can see that the employee might not want it known. Well know W-2 laws concerning workers classifications are much more damaging to the economy than we are led to believe. So at the very least employees must give permission and also should be notified when their employment information is being used. The twenty something year old human resources professional own the keys to your wealth and happiness.

The Senators claim to want criminal penalties, to sound tough, but lawyer see profit in civil proceedings.

The land rush proposal, does not exactly encourage 100% participation; think about using certain punishment to encourage confessions?

6) Same-Sex Families - Can we get the Senate out of our families? Apparently not, it is reasonable assumption to consider a couple, but impossible to assume away a marriage of convenience.

As you should be able to see by fully implementing this proposal, nothing much would change. If it passed it would fail to work, and because the President endorses it; it be can become cover for the dysfunctional Senate to protect the dysfunctional Senate under the guise of "well we couldn't get the votes' from the dysfunctional Senate. And while we are at it the irate irrational public might not forget that it was passed in the first place.

I can only suggest that the multiple of players get together, media and advocates and write a more coherent bill, where the facets of immigration are clarified and the relationship to the larger economic concern are treated in complementary fashion.

1 - Immigration …
2 - Jobs …
3 - Education …
4 - English …
5 - Agriculture …
6 - Ventures …
7 - Families …
8 - Fortitude …

The Octopus is a very, very clever animal, and quite the noteworthy escape artist!

Fix the Filibuster, or ship it to a foreign country.

Could have written 6 plans by now.

Resonating with conservatives makes no sense if they continue to be forever uncompromising. Republicans, Independents and even some Democrats may resonate with planetary alignments, but in the end will not agree with their own positions. This implies that bargaining with them will waste time, and that is exactly what their objective has been, delay. Conservatives cannot resolve the immigration issue because of their need for political posturing; they need this issue for their campaigns, funding and reelection. Imagine a conservative candidate after several elections, agreeing to the points below, and then seeing the light, try to convert the 75% against him, but using these points.

(I will pretend to be naive enough to think that reasoning has any effect on 'resonating', content with the indictment by way of illustrating the reasoned of ignored arguments.)

'Comprehensive Immigration' is the name on the placard over the interment of permanent immigration policy.

75% Latinos, 70% of Americans, majority of Republicans, favor, immigration reform that includes a pathway to earned citizenship (for unlawful or undocumented persons or 'illegal' aliens).

What about the other 25%? With 10% of those Latinos support a deportation-based solution to immigration.

Resummary:

1) Rep. Labrador is not in favor of a deportation-and-enforcement-only solution to immigration.

2) Raul Labrador advocates for a path to legalized status.

3) Raul Labrador advocates for a path to expanded guest worker programs.

4) Raul Labrador he has drawn the line in the sand when it comes to a path to citizenship.

5) Raul Labrador holds that undocumented immigrants have knowingly broken the law by coming here illegally. His law and order stance is one that is shared by fellow Republican Governor Susana Martinez, and until recently Senator Marco Rubio. Cesar Chavez 1960's viewed undocumented Latinos as direct economic, political, and cultural threat, advocating for tighter border control.

6) Raul Labrador does not see himself as being anti-Latino, but rather pro-law-and-order and pro-U.S. Latino resonates among conservative Republicans, Independents and even some Democrats.

7) Raul Labrador is a figure that will be at the forefront of the immigration debate. His position is more complicated and nuanced reflecting the Republican-dominated House of Representatives.

8) Raul Labrador apparent contrarian position will come to play a critical role. He will come to play as, if not more, important a role in the overhaul of our immigration reform than the usual suspects—Senator Rubio, the president, and even Representative Luis Gutierrez. Keep your eye on the Mormon Latino from rural Idaho.

Response:

1] As an immigration attorney Raul Labrador, can sight law, and enforcement, but is unable to sight 'moral law', set by 'unalienable rights', regards the long number of years the 'legal' laws were not enforced, the weight of 11 million with 5.8 million dependents has no bearing on the law or the court or the vast country of citizens who long ago delegated this chore to government. [[We should demonstrate for a year the deportation-based solution to dramatize the carnage to document the cost, practicality and to harden us against human abuse, for 10% of 1.6 million?]]

2] This definition must be excluded from 'illegal immigration', because it is covered by item 5), and must be reduced to existing immigration and naturalization or 'legal status'. There is little need to suggest path 'legal status' for illegals, if they are covered by item 5). Since for conservative purposes anyone who was illegal, must never have 'legal status', be part of 'guest worker program', or ever become citizen. (more below).

3] Here the conservative have divided 'guest worker' into two groups; those with H1-B visas who they support (and E-5 purchased path to citizenship), and those who are 'guest worker' to come to perform labor. This is seen by some thinking people as place were managed or second class citizenship can improve corporate profits. Except for border control, green card status, employer verification this is secondary labor force that has approval. However a truly conservative person would see as an escape clause to bypass past history, where a person has already violated the law and become 'illegal'. If this were later found out, then the employer could engage in blackmail, abuse or unfair labor practices. Imagine if a person went through all this and became a naturalized citizen, only to be identified as having been in the country illegally, that person would be subject to blackmail. I have to interpret reservation 5) as providing secondary citizenship, because proving you were not here illegally would be the natural conservative response to any 'legal status' or naturalized citizen. (more below).

4] This of course is the central issue path to citizenship for 'illegals' vs the existing system for visa, green cards, and immigration naturalization or in short 'legal' see 3] above. If cannot accept 'illegals' for citizenship then this not just a line in the sand but am impenetrable wall or obstruction.

5] As for political posturing this is the key to obstruction because it works as rallying cry against solution, and offers organized crime a clear enough path to profit.

6] This is the horrid politics of the Senate made all too frequently visible, and the largely hidden machinations of the House. These are secret societies where deals and made for and against issue having nothing to do with immigration, but having much to do with campaign donations. When millions are concerned, they take second place to the power of money to buy politics.

7] From his posturing on no 'illegals' at all, ever, he will sure rise in status, but it will not be a solution, since no compromise on 'illegals' is identical to the current situation. His skill will be tested as he lengthens, drags out and delays any significant and important changes, and remain a favorites the press. In this we see the future as it will be.

8] Raul Labrador will be added to the talk show, sock-puppet, and bobble headed politicians that rotate in the political merry go round.

By keeping the existing path to citizenship as is, AND blocking all 'illegals' everywhere and always, the existing population of 16.8 million will become a permanent underclass, combined with the green card holders, and 'did you ever enter the country illegally' questionable, as well as other who many have other legal issues we have a large criminal and near criminal class. With some 20 million in that labor pool we will have ample supply of drug smugglers for drug cartels, humans for trafficking and the employment of many second class citizens and the typical neglect of unredeemable so called 'illegals'. Again many will profit at the loss of millions with no moral law to the contrary.

Now do you see a path for Latinos to migrate to vote for Republicans, or how conservatives will offer to bring 'illegals' into the fold, without actually addressing the problems with millions of 'illegals'? Republicans would have to ask for pity and offer forgiveness at the same time - not going to happen.

I leave all with the reminded a moral note pinned to your chest, how can you let so many suffer so long in a trap you have set for them?

NO AMNESTY and No Pathway to US Citizenship for illegal aliens. We need our Federal Government to enforce the laws we have. Deport all illegal aliens, secure the border and fine anyone who hires an illegal alien. Why can't the Federal Government just do their job?