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Subscribe to RSSPotential vice presidential contender Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told the annual convention of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials that “both my head and my heart tell me that today perhaps we are as close as we’ve ever been to a critical turning point in the debate about immigration.”
He called for a balanced approach to reforming the process of legally immigrating to the United States to reduce the waiting time for those who have followed the established process for becoming legal permanent residents.
Edward Linsmier / Getty Images
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., addresses the audience at the 29th annual NALEO conference June 22, 2012 in Orlando, Florida.
But the Florida Republican said since joining the Senate in 2011 “I’ve come to realize … how truly complicated this issue has become.”
He said that there were those on both the Democratic and GOP sides who want the immigration issue to not get solved because then they can keep exploiting it for electoral gain.
“As long as this issue of immigration is a political ping-pong that each side uses to win elections and influence votes, I’m telling you it won’t get solved,” he said. Too many people “want it to stay unresolved; it’s easier to influence elections … .”
Rubio complained that when he first floated the idea of providing a way for younger illegal immigrants who’d been brought to United States by their parents to remain, “the reaction of many on the left was an immediate dismissal. I saw people on the left saying that I was proposing a new three-fifths compromise, harkening back of the days when a slave was only three-fifths of a person. I was accused of supporting apartheid.”
Related: Rubio: Obama immigration move hurts effort to pass long-term solution
But then he said when President Barack Obama ordered a very similar policy last week, suddenly Rubio’s critics say “it’s the greatest idea in the world.”
He added, “I don’t care who gets the credit … but it exposes the fact that this issue is all about politics for some people.”
He also got in a slam at Obama by saying, “I was tempted to come here and tell you 'Hey, he hasn’t been here (to the NALEO annual conference) in three years, what a coincidence: it's an election year … but that's not the direction I want to go with my speech. Because if I did, if that’s what I came here to talk to you about, then I would be doing the exact same thing that I just criticized.”
Explaining why simply allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the United States would create a problem of equity, Rubio said there were probably 50 million – many in Latin America – who are waiting to immigrate to the United States legally.
His Florida constituents often come to his Senate office and tell him “My mom has been waiting; my sister has been waiting for 15 years. They paid the fees they’ve waited their turn.”
Rubio asked, “What’s our message to them? ‘Come illegally; it is cheaper and quicker’? That’s not an answer either.”
He also criticized those who he said seem to think there is a right to immigrate illegally to the United States.
“The truth is: there is no right to illegally immigrate to the United States. And when we talk about illegal immigration, it’s not about demanding rights; it’s about appealing to the compassion of the most compassionate nation in the history of the world.”
But he won some applause from his audience when he sounded empathetic for the illegal immigrants who come to the United States in search of a more prosperous life.
“These are people that are doing what virtually any of us would do if our children were hungry, if their countries were dangerous, if they had no hope for their future,” he said. “Who among us would not do whatever it took to feed our children and to provide for them a better future?”
NBC's Andrew Rafferty contributed to this story.
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Rubio is one of the more reasonable Republicans I've heard in awhile. But he won't be Romney's VP. For one thing there is to much excitement over him and the Republicans do not want him overshadowing the actual candidate. Secondly, he has no more experience than Obama did when he ran in 2008 and the Republicans attacked him over his lack of experience.
Romney is going to go with someone who is bland and old school Washington. He will not risk something new and exciting. He will stay with what is a known quantity.
lol... Just couldn't help yourself, could you, Marco. Are you still mad that the President didn't consult with you before addressing immigration again?
Have you had your "San Francisco nutritionally-mandated Happy Meal " today ?
What you fail to see Pedestrian, is that what Obama just did by waving his magic wand over 800,000 illegal immigrants and saying he would not enforce existing immigration law ...... is exactly what he told Latinos he COULD NOT DO ... back in September, 2011. Sorry, but the quotes are out there.
Latinos do not trust a man whose "word" is not good. Latinos can see through Obama's flip-flop on this issue. They are smarter than you think !
He has no other choice but to take the safest person. Rubio don't know enough yet. If he was so good he would have brought his immigration plan to the table instead of waiting. And if his plan is so good and Obama's is just a bandaid that he should put it out there. What does he have to lose? The Republicans don't want a plan for immigration otherwise it would not have been voted down in the Senate in 2010. If the Dems and the Rep would just work together instead of standing in the way of any movement we all would be better off. That is why so many are turned off with our government. There are just to many political games that takes us no where and each side blames the other. We as voters need to make a stand and demand that our government stop the political games and get to work. For them to have the positions that they do to do any less is un-American
Jim -
You lie. President Obama said just the opposite. Eat that.
Rubio? Is Romney worried about getting the Cubans to vote for him? Someone needs to tell him that all "hispanics" are not the same. I'm pretty sure he doesn't know that.
What the Hell are you trying to sell here? In every poll since Obama announced his plan Hispanics have posted high-20 to mid-30 points in favor of Obama. Your screen name is appropriate ~ "trainee." Not quite ready for prime time and you sure as Hell don't understand Hispanic thinking ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ and loyalty.
So you are saying that the Republicans are NOT hypocrites? No reasonable person will expect consistency from a Republican. If they were consistent, they would have been a liberal.
That must be why the latest polls have Obama leading among latinos in swing states at almost 3-1, Jim. It's GOTea obstructionists who got in the way of the Dream Act. Obama is sick and tired of waiting for them to stop playing games and has shown leadership on this issue. Meanwhile, Willard can't seem to verbalize exactly what he'd do... or when he'd do it.
Rubio would be an excellant pick and he is well liked by Romney.
A number of Romney's advisors like Tim Pawlenty. Guess Romney has a bunch of Ex-McCain 2008 advisors. LOL.
What Romney wants is
someone solid that will not overshadow him.
What Romney needs is
Someone to shore up his campaign in either the Latino vote, or the current swing states.
No one knows what Romney will do. With his track record, whomever he picks will be a good solid pick.
Romney, having business acumen that the current occupant does not, will chose someone he respects and can work with unlike the current #2 who is nothing but an idiot with no thoughts of his own.
LOL. Rich kid bought up companies, laid off workers, and carved up the properties for profit.
Joe Biden served this country as a senator for 36 years; a member, and chair,of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Your comments are way out of synch with the truth. Try reading history, rather than having it programmed into your narrow mind by overpaid blowhards on the radio.
There seems to be a prevailing notion on the Right that a president is running a business. Not so. he is the chief administrator of the country and what brought us down during the Bush years is trying to run it as a business wherein those that are greedy and willing to do anything took over. Do you guys like the results?
Also, JIM, FOX NEWS cut off the last part of the president's statement so you would swallow the bait like a good obedient fish.
Contempt Me - and I certainly do - Rasmussen is a Right Wing Polling Machine and lots of luck with that one
The fact that liberals are afraid of Rubio makes me want him even more. I think he'd make a fine VP or even President. I truly hope Romney picks him.
i like him too, so far, as an independent. he seems more reasonable and actually seems to be able to use logic constructively, which is more than i can say for romney. as much as i like rubio, i wouldn't support him if he ran as vp for romney, cuz then he's a sellout, and i don't vote for no sellout. no man in good conscience would consider running with romney...if they knew how to think for themselves, that is.
Barbara - Rasmussen is the one to watch. Rasmussen almost always publishes the "likely voter" numbers.
PPP, a democrat run polling group, is another one that is pretty accurate. PPP started the year using mostly likely voters. By the end of March, they were using registered voters. This month they started using just "people".
Why? Obama started polling behind Romney in the Likely voter category in march. This month Obama began polling behind Romney in Registered voters.
JK
80% of the companies Romney and Bain Rescued are opperational today. Most have gone on to grow. Most of the companies that went belly up, did so after Romney was no longer with Bain.
AND most of those companies that closed were victims of a changing market needs (photo album mfr) or extremely competitive (steel company).
The left doesn't want Rubio to run as Romney s running mate.
When Rubio talks people can't dismiss him as a right wing extremist and that scares the hell out of the Left.
Rubio is absolutely correct and articulate. Conservatives are not against Immigration reform they just want it to be Balanced and Fair.
Why should someone who came here illegally get to move to the head of the Line over people that have been waiting years, obeying our laws, and going through the legal process of becoming U.S. citizens?
It wouldn't be right to just kick children out that have been here for years and know nothing else because they were brought here illegally as children. At the same time the system needs to make sure it doesn't continue to happen. The system also needs to make sure the Illegal immigrants that are here are actually becoming American Citizens with all the burdens and rewards that come with being an American Citizen.
The left would actually really love to hear what new story about his family's immigration from Cuba Senator Rubio is telling these days. He can't stick to a story any better than Romney can.
What in the world does THAT have to do with the issue?
I agree: INTEGRITY is yet another issue with Oblameo. He doesn't have any! Otherwise, why would immigration reform and giveaways become a crisis less than 6 months before the election. The man is simply attempting to capture some votes by pandering to a small group of nonvoters that he hopes will rub off the LEGAL emigrants who are voters, just like he is pandering to current college students, recent grads, and their parents by "unveiling" a crisis of student debt. Why is this a crisis all of a sudden? Oh, right, less than 6 months to the election. Silly ole me!
Can you hear the maggots outside gagging in the woods over their meals of pander, pander, pander?
Over 17,000 documents have been submitted and Holder has testified 8 times (never once having said "I don't recall" as his predecessor did, I might add). Issa is now asking for grand jury testimony - it would be against the law for this to be released.
Meanwhile, the jobs bill waits for congress. Month after month, Americans wait.
I guess you really don't follow what is going on or you are living in that parallel universe where so many Republicans live. A place where the true facts are twisted and distorted. Where lies becomes truth. The Republicans keep saying that all Obama does is blame others. But lets look at the facts, Was it Obama who outsourced all those good manufacturing jobs? Was it Obama who signed all those trade agreements? Was it Obama who led us into a war based on lives costing the lives of over 4000 American men and women. A war that was never paid for. Was it Obama who eased up on all the regulations on Wall Street that took this country to the brink of financial disaster? The state of our country comes from decades of bad policies and Obama came into office when the deck of cards fell. So I guess you think he has a magic wand and can just turn everything around with a wave of the wand. That the corrections that need to be made can all happen within three years. The state of our economy didn't happen overnight and it will not be cleared up overnight. It will take years and more than one term in office. Yes he had to sign on to the TARP and to the Stimulus which saved this country from totally going over the cliff. Do you remember when Obama came into office we were losing over 700,000 jobs per month. The stimulus saved and created jobs. How many of your Republican members in both Houses showed up at ribbon cuttings for new projects created because of the stimulus. Obama don't have to blame others and it is not what he is doing, but he is reminding all of us where we were when he first came into office and where we are at now. Since he has been in office 4.2 million jobs have been created and that is a fact. If Congress would stop playing political games to make Obama look bad and pass the Jobs and Transportation Bills that Obama has been urging them to do millions more people would be working today and that is another fact. Obama was also pushing for the passage of the Dream Act in 2010 and 2011 it passed the House but because you now need a super majority of 60 votes in the Senate it failed having 55 votes which is a majority of the Senate. Also another fact. If you were one of those immigrants that were brought to this country as a child, this being the only country you know, then being forced to live you life in the shadows than it would mean something to you. Walk a mile in someone else's shoe for a while . Same thing with student loan relief.
Nothing ~ and that is a known fact by Issa and Company, but that won't stop the charade. It might be of some interest to you ~ if you really cared about facts ~ that documents specified by Issa in the subpoena included Grand Jury testimony which by law is off-limits. It also called for sensitive documents for which not a single member on that committee has security clearance to view. And you thought this committee's inquiry was a clean deal, didn't you?
Lyra,
You are right that Obama didn't sign those trade agreements that eventually lost manufacturing jobs...but it was democrats that did, and his name was Bill Clinton. Also the easing of the bank regulations was pushed by a democratic congress and senate under Bush even though Bush was against most of the policies the Frank was proposing to ensure a dream that was raised by Bill Clinton again that every person had the right to own a home. These regulations were eased to force banks to lend money to individuals that would not be able to pay them back with them knowing that the Federal gov't would back any of these bad loans through Fannie & Mac.
Therefore to make your point it was good that you pointed out how the democratic party has faired in these areas. Also, the republicians are not much better in their dealings such as forcing conflict in congress and the senate just to be lacking in terms of ensuring the country runs better and efficiently. There are several good ideas being pushed by both sides but no one wants to bring together a blending of the two for atleast a short-term fix of two to three year period.
What needs to happen is a third party to emerge that will talk for the largest voting group which is the middle. Most people, on both sides, could live with either a slight left of center or slight right of center party that will help America regain its focus away from the far left and far right ideologies.
That is just my two cents sorry for the rambling on.
"When Rubio talks people can't dismiss him as a right wing extremist"
One problem. Your base is right wing extremists. They don't want a "long term solution". The don't want "immigration reform".
They want a 3,000 mile electrified fence and to repeal the 14th amendment (ok technically, this would qualify as a "long term solution", but I don't think it's what Romney has in mind)
.........how truly complicated this issue has become.”
It's not complicated. Greedy illegals are in our country, negatively impacting our fellow Americans with extra costs and lost jobs
Kick them out!!!!
Actually, when Rubio talks about religion, he does sound like a right wing extremist to me. He pushed for ultra sounds before abortions in Florida to try and get around Roe vs. Wade. I may be able to vote for Romney if he's on the ticket (I haven't decided yet), but my wife probably won't.
If he's talking economics and immigration, he's great - but if he starts to talk about his religious views or morality in general, he will quickly become a huge liability with us small government independents.
From Rubio himself-
"For Hispanics, immigration is not a statistical debate. It is an issue regarding someone they know, and probably someone they love," Rubio said. "If you are Hispanic, living in an Hispanic neighborhood, you know someone who is undocumented, you know a kid who has been here since they were 5 years old but has a deportation order even though they were valedictorian of their school."
"You know someone who is here undocumented and...you know why?" said Rubio, growing more passionate. "Because their kids are hungry and they are sending money home to feed them."
He sounds a little too compassionate for so many on the current far right to vote for.
Did you hear!! I too, am being vetted, thoroughly vetted!! I just will not discuss the process. I have to respect the process the Govenor has in place.
Even a token Hispanic running mate is not going to make the majority of Hispanics, or Cubans, vote for Romney, in my opinion. As someone already said, they are too smart to be fooled by this obvious political ploy.
LyndaAZ, you mean political ploy like granting a relief from deportation for illegals after saying on Spanish language TV he had no authority as President to simply change/ignore the law. How about ObamaCare waivers primarily to Unions? Folding like a cheap house of cards after Biden opens up the gay marriage issue? How about the "war on women" silliness? Obama takes pandering to a new level.
We need to reform our legal immigration system to stem the tide of illegal immigration. Then we can determine how best to deal with the ones already here. In some ways, we make it too ridiculously hard to immigrate. We focus on skilled labor when we have plenty of skilled labor. We should be focusing on unskilled labor like the previous expansions of immigration. My great-grandfathers came here to be coal miners, not scientists or doctors. Now, 4 generations later, they have software engineers, soldiers, bankers, nurses, teachers, etc among their descendants. This is how immigration works, the poor and desperate come to the US and work their tuckuses off being laborers and janitors and then their kids get opportunities they wouldn't have had in the old country.
If we make it easy to come here legally like it was in the Ellis Island days, we wouldn't have so many illegals. Show up, get a background check, health screening and you get 10 years to keep your nose clean and prove your worth. At the end of the 10 years, take a civics test and an English exam and welcome to Citizenship. Reduce the wait time for family (wives/children) of current citizens. My great-grandfather made it through, his brother was sent home because he had TB. Not everyone would pass the background checks or health exams, but most would get a chance. Only after reform can we deal with the ones who came under the broken system.
They want it now. They being the democratic/liberal party. Why? Because they need the votes, why else would they scream and yell about letting illegal people having the right to vote. In Florida they are using the Jury rolls of people who claim they cant be on a jury, because they are here illegally to purge voter rolls. If people cant be on a jury because they are illegal do you really think they should be allowed to vote.
Sorry, that dog just won't hunt. If we have so much skilled labor in our pool, why do tech and skilled manufacturing jobs go begging? Because we don't have people with the skills who will take them. Kids today want a free education, free drugs, etc. Children that could be educating themselves for highpaying tech and skilled manufacturing jobs are not encouraged to go to school every day, schools don't teach the requisite skills (teachers have to "teach to the test" to keep from losing their jobs). Outstanding young ethnics that could be achieving are hanging out on street corners looking to score or peddling drugs to others instead of being in school.
Our country is at a disgusting crossroads. We need skilled workers, but the only place we can find them is overseas. Skilled workers wanting to emigrate will now have to wait behind 800,000 illegal immigrants (I don't care what the reason is) who are being given a free pass in addition to the free education, free benefits, etc, they have received while being here illegally.
My folks came through Ellis Island, too. They worked hard for what they got, did not receive handouts, and have grandchildren and great grandchildren who are highly educated and have, or have had, great jobs and made major contributions to this country. But they came here legally.
Romney/? in 2012
I'm in IT. I'm not seeing rising salaries in the industry that would indicate a shortage of "tech" workers. Most "tech" jobs only require a bachelors degree, if that. Most of the H1B and L1 visas issued in the U.S. actually go to foreign outsourcing companies like Tata and Infosys, not Microsoft and Google.
"Skilled manufacturing jobs" Another red herring. There aren't that many of them, and even fewer that we couldn't easily train our own people for.
Why does no one mention the Dream Act Democrats passed in the House in 2010, and then fillibustered by the Republicans in the Senate? Republicans wouldn't purposely block a bill just to make Obama look bad, would they? And then claim he has done nothing to help the Immigration situation in this Country? They wouldn't do that would they? The Right's tactics amount to treason..They have purposelly blocked everything this President has tried to do to help this Country move forward. Then they blame him for not doing anything..Unbelievable..
Brad......Harry Reid! I need not say any more.
What the hell does Harry Reid have to do with it? The Senate had 55 votes( I think) to pass it..But, because of the Rights incessant need to block EVERYTHING THIS PRESIDENT HAS TRIED TO DO FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN BLOCKED, THEN THEY BLAME HIM. Your dam right I'm shouting..I'm so sick of the Right's garbage..
The Dems tried to pass this in 2010..It is not an election year ploy..It's the Right's blocking everything that is political theater
When is the last time the left passed a budget? How many democrats voted for any budget..... how many democrats are refusing to go to the convention? (Jim Matheson the latest) Its falling apart, in Atlanta they cant even sell enough tickets for people to attend. They had to open a new tier of tickets to get enough people to attend.
You are correct, Brad. It was 55 bipartisan votes. It failed 55-41. 60 votes required. It was introduced in three different sessions by Lugar and Durbin.
Because the Republicans have the loudest noise machine they distort the truth and out and out lie. The Republican Party has done whatever it takes to block anything Obama and in spite of it he still got things done. We would have been a lot better off if they would have gotten over the fact that they lost the 2008 election and started acting like people with a brain in their heads. The Republican Party which opposed everything even if it was something they once agreed to did more harm to the country and our economy. They have put revenge and politics over the needs of this country and that is most definitely un-American. And now the Republican Party moved so far to the right it is frightening. If Romney gets elected all these folks that thinks the Republican Party works for their benefit will find out the truth the hard way.
What the Hell does either have to do with the subject at hand? You seem to be from the "Oh yeah, well how about (fill in the blank)" club that can't counter argue a point but introduces new diversions. I would ask why Democrats are even wasting money on a convention for it is obvious what the outcome will be and it is well established what the platform is. But this relates to Rubio . . . . . . . . . . . how? Rubio is the subject here, lest you have to be reminded. For the record, a budgetary Continuing Resolution has serves us quite well. For one thing, it has prevented Republicans from adding on a few hundred billion to defense spending.
The Reps wouldn't be blocking the bill because they care more about tax paying citizens than rewarding illegal criminals
The Dream Act provided backdoor amnesty and it's disrespectful to the millions of legal immigrants who have obeyed and respected our laws.
And yet Republicans and Rubio support the DREAM Act while filibustering the will of the majority. Please explain.
I do agree with Rubio that "some want immigration issue unresolved to win elections."
It's Republicans.
beto - lara - Wrong again - "The Dream Act" was only for the children who were brought here by there parents
Before you post again get your facts straight and not some falacy you concocted in your brain
It had nothing to do with Amnesty for the 11 million undocumented people in this country unlike Reagan's Amnesty
I don't mind discussions but what I do mind is when people make up their own facts and rail on it
Sounds like Mr. Rubio is conflicted. He wants to help his people, but he's imprisoned in a political party that has denied the help he seeks.
I wonder how Mr. Rubio reconciles the Republican Party's opposition to the "Dream Act" while at the same time saying he wants the inequities to end. I wonder, as Mr. Rubio sees so many Latinos suffering and longing to come to the U.S., how he can look himself in the mirror and not see his hypocrisy is enabling the ruling Republicans to keep them away.
The Dream Act gave special treatment to illegal immigrants over those who are waiting to immigrate legally. I'm also against chain migration as allowed under the Dream Act. I have no problems with it if you migrated legally, but under the Dream Act the benefits would be received by family members who violated our laws.
Keep in mind that there are plenty of non-Latino immigrants who also want to immigrate to our country. Whatever system is in place, needs to be fair, unlike the Dream Act.
John - Rubio is Cuban - these Mexicans are not "his people" actually the Hispanic community have no love for the Cuban population who were granted extra-ordinary exceptions in their immagration rights
And the old "pistol petes" in little Cuba in Florida are less than 5% and are over rated and pandered to and are holding back true reform with Cuba
So Rubio will never be a VP Contender for anything - he's lucky to have been elected for Senator - ouch a not so blonde "Dan Quayle"
Gee, it must be just as hard for Rubio to reconcile his conscience with his wallet as it has been for the Greedy Old Party (GOP) to reconcile the Tea Party's hatred of illegals with corporations love of cheap labor!
Chuck, I think that keeps you up at night.....way more than anyone else. Let me run something by you! We have here in Detroit, many different groups of people. We have the predominately black section of the city I happen to live in. One of the other areas is called Mexican town, predominantly Mexican in population. Some of the business's (stores and restaurants) tried to move and expand into the Black areas (along with the Asians) and the reception was less than friendly. The business's thrive in Mexican town.....they were robbed and run out of business in the black section. You tell me the reason?
JOS1, Does the term "loose association" mean anything to you?
Of course...but on an entirely different thought process! You need to be running fast and loose (synaptic wise) to catch my points. Im fluid which makes me a great troubleshooter, which is why I get paid so much. Its a good thing Im not a liberal or everyone would hate me, Id never let them forget how smart I am!
JOS1, Loose associations and narcissistic too! You definitely belong in the GOP! Now take your meds and keep kissing the mirror! Lol!
By the way the only "TRUE SOCIALIST" who posts here is Little Ben from Alaska - how about the Alaskans who get a check every year from "BIG OIL" I believe this year was $2100. per person
And this guy has the unmitigated gall to talk to us about every topic from "Health Care" (Alaskans hightail it to Canada) to immigration
Little Ben is a phoney from the word go - Hey Ben help your starving "REAL ALASKANS" the native tribes that just about starved this year
Been meaning to ask you do they get Checks? Or is it just for the White Guys?
"I was tempted to come here and tell you 'Hey, he hasn't been here (to the NALEO annual conference) in three years, what a coincidence: it's an election year … but that's not the direction I want to go with my speech. Because if I did, if that's what I came here to talk to you about, then I would be doing the exact same thing that I just criticized."
And yet you just said it. I was going to say that Sen. Rubio is a sell-out, but that is not the direction I want to go with my comment.
Stepping back from the idiolog comments and looking at immigration, Rubio's comments on what a parent would do for his/her family is at the heart of the matter. In the case of Latin America, the NAFTA, while moving manufacturing into tax-free zones, also had a more profound effect on agriculture. The sales of agricultural products from factory farms in the USA undercut the products produced on non-factory farms in Mexico and others of Latin America.
Many of the displaced workers, who did not have the opportunity to work for the small wages in the Maquila operations, tried to follow the work, as the migrant farm workers always had. But, upon arrival, they looked for and found work. And, they stayed.
Like so many things, when we take an action there are outcomes. Some, such as immigration, are not part of the decision making process. The decision making process needs to be fixed and decisions need to be made about how to keep the economies of these home countries strong and vibrant. In that way, we'll solve the long term immigration issue.
Of the people who are already here, letting them stay or go will have no real impact on the immigration (legal or otherwise). If people cannot provide for their families in their countries, they will seek a land of opportunity.
The only ones paying attention to Rubio are his tea party following and the cover up politicians in Miami that allowed him to Miss appropriate Approx $100,000 dollars as the speaker of the house in Florida and use it for personal use and home expenses. This is one shady Cuban Politician who talks to anyone about anything as long as it fits HIS wants. He will be gone at his next election so don't bank on him and his rhetoric.
Sup Contempt? Your being a real thorn in the side of these liberals. Poor Feisty has been leaving rubbery green things all over the blogs. I cant wait to see the liberage when the USSC makes its decision (more than likely on Monday) Promises to be another week of bad news for the liberals. The excuses are already being invented...... the big one being 4 old white men and an uncle tom black man took your healthcare away....... Some one in Maine needs to put old Amy on watch to make sure she doesnt jump off the large crane at the BIW shipyard. I look forward to the Union demonstrations here in Detroit. I went by UAW local 182 in Livonia today and saw a lot of traffic so I know they are gearing up for something.
I don't understand "Obammy"
I've seen "odumbo" and "odimbulb" etc, and I get the joke.
I don't get "obammy".
Can anyone explain?
Rubio's not going to pass the vetting process.
Besides, sooner or later, SOMEBODY in the GOP HAS to figure out that Mexicans aren't from Cuba.
So articulate and well-reasoned! A true example of conservative intelligence.
Sam, you don't get the "obammy" thing because you're not racist.
News flash ! ! ! Republicans never had the sorry assortment of Boehner, Reid, Cantor, McConnell, and Romney at the head of their party since WWII, either. By comparison to this lot, 9% unemployment would probably not be a disqualifier because we will be at that level if not higher very shortly after a Romney victory.
He knows whats said on here is all opinion, and mostly factually wrong opinions. Why get all hosed up when its obvious all of you are going claim to be Smarter, faster,better and far more formally "educated" than any conservative. Which is why we can have fun.....all at your expense. And to be honest all we have to do is follow the rules, where in and under your skin. Why? because you really do think your smarter than the guy with the degree from a better university. I interview people every month from major universities, this month Michigan, RPI, even a Cambridge Grad (UK) Sorry I had a guy a few days back tell me there was no such school in the US. They all had one thing in common....they all told me how smart they were in the first 5 mins of the interview.....psssst I have your resume! There is no I in Team!
No, but there is a "ME". Guess that makes me smarter than you.
Contempt, you are very enthusiastic!
ContemptMe - (And sometimes I do as your directive demands)
Now to Clinton's daliances - I remember Mitterand's statement "A leader who does not have a strong libido - should not lead"
Aside from that which would you prefer a man that cannot perform unless he wears diapers as Sen. David Vitter or a man that does not need props?
So drop it you've posted about Clinton ad nauseam it gets old very fast - stick to the topic at hand
why do you bold everything?
Rubio is spot on.
Immigration Reform is a ping-pong that right now favors the Dems. With Obama's oratory that the Republicans are blocking progress, he will win some additional votes. But in the mean time, the people actually directly impacted continue to lose. In my opinion, Rubio will emerge as the force that will result in meaningful (while not perfect) immigration reform. Perhaps more so as a Senator than as VP.
Immigration does not "favor" anyone. All it is, is another can to kick down the road until the next major election. Do you really think that the messiah is going to deal with immigration in any real form if he is reelected? Just like all the other major and minor problems that need to be worked on, stuff will continue to fly through the air down the road because noone has the cojones to bite the big one and propose realistic, workable solutions. Welcome to yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
I'm afraid there's too much "anchor baby!" rhetoric under the bridge for the GOP to get the Mexican-American vote.
If Romney continues to pander, he'll anger his base. They don't want any legislation. For the teabirther base, a long term solution is an electrified fence. They even want to send the legal Mexicans back to Mexico.
I'm surprised that Romney is even trying. Do they think the Mexicans weren't listening?
I just listened to Obama's NALEAO speech.
Isn't Obama such a Wonderful Orator?
It's too bad running a country is more than just standing at a Podium giving wonderful speeches. You actually have to spend countless hours sitting around in meeting rooms negotiating with others, trying to find common ground, resolving disputes and making decisions, etc.
Other than blaming everyone else what did Obama say he would actually do?
What steps did he say he would take to get a real Comprehensive immigration reform Passed?
What exactly does he consider a reasonable Comprehensive immigration bill?
The Left is always complaining there are no details coming from Romney. Where's the Demand for Details from Obama?
Like I said Obama is great behind a podium.
"We repeatedly get caught in this conflict between our professed moral principles and the real reasons why we do things-to wit, our self-interest. We are always able to mask those real reasonsin words of beneficent goodness-freedon, justice, and so on."(Rules for Radicals,Saul Alinsky,pg.58)
I'm just posting this here now because I'm sure Fiesty will be the first to post what an awesome leader Obama is when NSNBC posts an article about Obama's NALEAO speach.
That's because all Barry can do is talk. He can't lead, is too arrogant to follow, and too stupid to realize that he is the very embodiment of the Peter Principle.
Hahahaha...he just exercised "prosecutorial discretion" to stop deporting 800,000 illegals, with qualification requirements. He can't grant citizenship or amnesty without a law from Congress. And, I believe he said that he would have signed the Dream Act, if it hadn't been blocked by Senate Republicans.
He's very well spoken.
Yes, he is. And Romney is very well spoken for. Mitt only speaks when given a message to deliver by his handlers. The problem is that he is so totally out of sync with the American people that his handlers are not giving him anything to say and strongly advising him to avoid extemporaneous comments of any kind. They hope the hate for Obama is so strong as to carry Mitt in "stealth" mode. Who knows? It might work.
Ummmm Well I mean King is King! Right?
David Noah-
Good points. Talk is important. So is the commitment to grind it out (collaboratively) when talking just isn't enough.
The problem boils down to this: the GOP wants fence and wall first, then slow incremental change, like those who served in the military get to be first in line. The GOP wants to avoid giving states like Texas and AZ over to the Democrats - they must hold on as long as they can. The Democrats don't want any 3/5th solutions - they want a clear, definite path to citizenship, without deportation and reapplication.
A path to citizenship? Who was the last president to do that? Oh yeah, Saint Reagan.
The GOP is split.
The country club wing (that's Romney and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) want a guest worker plan with a path to citizenship. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a party to the lawsuit AGAINST Arizona's immigration laws.
The trailer park wing (teabirthers) want a 50,000 volt electrified fence and to send Mexican-Americans (anchor babies) back to Mexico.
Romney shook the Etch-A-Sketch. He just hopes the Mexicans didn't notice.
Good luck with that.
Ok fine...but how about when you guys come here...you embrace the nation that is hosting your new-found prosperity and safety rather than turn where you live into the rathole you fled from!
I'm a Southern California resident that grew up in the San Fernando Valley. If you sympathize with the plight of illegal aliens, that's fine and I agree with much of it, but simultaneously I think that we should all demand that the people that should stay in the US are those that WANT TO BE AMERICANS!
But if you're just here to send US$ remittances back to your homeland, exploit our social welfare systems for your personal gain, and endlessly fantasize about going back to your homeland and living like a patro'n then you are a parasite, deliberately driving down legal wages and draining the public coffers for a quick buck at every citizen's expense.
Here's my opinion of immigration in a nutshell
OMG....... I very much appreciate you reminding me of that piece of literature. I just reread the entire speech still find it the path of the American life.
Young Politicians like Rubio & Mack spend more time playing "The Game" than working for the People whom they are suppose to represent - "Do Nothing Congress", fix the f'n U.S. Budget Deficit!
Politicians playing politics with important issues effecting Americans?
Say it ain't so.
Well Rubio, where were you and the GOP on immigration during the 8 years of Bush? Why wasn't it fixed? Or at least some good plans put out there?
Yes this is a political issue, you GOP/baggers are the one's who pushed the crisis button? Why? for political reasons, to put the blame on illegals for the economic crash, to deflect from the bad job the BUSH ADM did!
Just like all the birther, socialist, Muslim, anti America rhetoric, it comes up empty, just like the GOP/baggers plans more tax cut's for the rich, and more deregulation's, it's worked so well in the past (sarcasm)!
Obama/Biden 2012 forward not back!
“As long as this issue of immigration is a political ping-pong that each side uses to win elections and influence votes, I’m telling you it won’t get solved,” he said. Too many people “want it to stay unresolved; it’s easier to influence elections … .”
Golly gee...? Really? Who would have thunk it? Well, not the Kool-Aid drinkers, since they see it as always being the "other" party's fault.
Oh I think Rubio would be a fine canidate for VP. He has shown such compasion for immigrates . In 2010, the Dream Act passed the House, and in the Senate it was not allowed to come to the floor for a vote by the Republican members - Rubio was among those who voted not to allow it to come to a vote- sounds like he was against the Dream Act to me! So when he came up with this "modified version of the Dream Act" early this year, it was a surprise. What wasn't a surprise is the fact that it never got down to a purposed bill on paper just a few scattered talking points for his speeches. I'm so sorry he didn't get that phone call from Obama on his executive order, but I thought Congress was free to purpose and vote on what ever legislation they desire. Its not like immgration reform hasn't been talked about since really early in the Bush presidency, and that both parties have promised real reform and yet we are all still waiting for something, almost anything to show some forward movement. For the American people, actions speak louder than words. So far the Repubicans have control Congress for 8 of the past 12 years and all I see from them is a couple of wars, huge tax cuts which have driven up debt, reduced regulation and an effort to give Wall Street the Social Security Fund, to privitize all of health care (do away with Medicare), and a promise that the market will fix everything - even though they admit that the market will always produce winners and lossers. They are going to balance the budget by spending less and having the poor and middle class pay more taxes and reduce taxes on buisness and wealthly- oh forgot - the Job Providers! So my question is if the top 1% provide the jobs and their wealth has increase 150% over the last 10 years, why has the jobs only incease 2%? And why has the median income in America fallen by $2,000 in the last 10 years? It would seem to me with that great an increase in wealth for the "job providers", we should have a worker shortage instead of unemployment of 8%.? Something is just not computing here! Perhaps Rubio can help explain!!!
He's a Cuban. None of this affects Cubans. I don't know why the Republicans insist on trotting Rubio out there. Don't they have any Mexicans?
The Democrats controlled BOTH Houses of Congress from 2007 to 2011. Now where do you get 8 of the last 12???
Rubio is a fake just like Rompey. They should get married.
Fifty million more "Immigrants" waiting to pour into USA !!! Why can't they stay in their own country and fight for better wages and working conditions, many Americans risked their lives fighting in the streets and courts against the companies and government to have what we have, now these lazy, gutless, lowlife, low class "people" ( who have no loyalty to no one, would gladly help to build a Boarder Fence to keep themselves and others out of America for a dollar) want to come here and steal our jobs and country, and our government and some " citizens" bend over backwards and forwards to help them do it ! The granting of Immunity from Prosecution to young Illegals by the U.S. Government is a Giant Middle Finger to all Law abiding Legal Citizens of the United States of America and shows and by their actions, that they work for the Citizens of Mexico and not the Citizens of The U.S.A. I am sick and tired of being treated like a second class citizen in my own country while the CHOSEN ONES break laws and are rewarded for it!!
If we had sent all the Cubans back to Cuba, they probably would have overthrown Castro a long time ago.
Jim 3.3....why don't you listen to the 2 sentences following the little quote you guys like to use, with your alleged proof that Obama knew he couldn't do what he did with immigration. Leaving out the info immediately following distorts that quote. Obama's next sentence was , " but what we can do..." and he then went on to state the exact policy that he did enact. This is a deliberate attempt by the far right to keep the facts from being known. you, Jim, may not really know what those sentences were because the right is not mentioning them at all. They air Obama's quote they like and cut off the rest. I call that lying. If they are so sure of their position, why the need to lie and distort?
Welcome to Blame-Storming 101. Both sides blaming each other when they should both be looking in the mirror.
It can't be "solved" with a Teabirther House of Representatives.
A "long term solution" is impossible.
Bush couldn't do it, and McCain/Kennedy couldn't do it.
Romney can't do it either, and he knows it.
Other than being of Latin heritage and growing up in So. Florida, exposed to every aspect of both legal and illegal immigration, what does he know? Wait, since he is an intellegent person, of color, perhaps he does know far more than most of those on "the hill."
Rubio is a Cuban. The issue is mostly Mexicans, not "Latinos" or "Hispanics".....MEXICANS.
Why do Mexicans give a rat's a$$ about Rubio?
Cubans are not in the discussion. They get automatic asylum as soon as they hit the beach.
Surely the Republicans have at least one Mexican hidden in the back somewhere? Where's that AG of Bush's? Is he still arouind?
Reading what Rubio said actually sounded pretty good. How about the people who have applied legally? The big question is how many people should America have? We need to look 10 years out, 50 years out. Should we ever have a billion? Probably not, but we need to have a plan that spans way past 1 or 2 election cycles. This issue is much bigger than what the next president wants. What does America need or want to look like in 2112? Answer that first and then the immigration questions will be much easier.
This would not be an issue if our elected officials would have done thier jobs decades ago and at least not lied to Reagan and secured the border, that was a Dem Congress then.
All Dems and the big "R" repubs. Think about it. While running, they tell you we have to get this fixed but then do nothing and they do this every time they run and you fools go for it every time
The GOP fillibustered the 2010 Dream Act bill.
Sorry to burst your clueless uneducated bubble.
Talk about a clueless uneducated bubble head. Did you read what I posted or did I use too many words for ya?
Looks like you changed your post, previously you said Dems did nothing about it.
Which we all know is an outright lie.