Thread: DREAM Act gets watered down, and latest whip count

DREAM Act gets watered down, and latest whip count
by kos
Thu Dec 02, 2010 at 11:20:03 AM PST
The GOP has sent out marching orders to its members -- vote "no" on everything. But a handful have to deal with a growing Latino population in their states or districts. Others want to do the right thing. Thus the DREAM Act is a dilemma for several of them. The act would legalize the children of undocumented immigrants who either complete two years of college or serve in the military.

Thus in a bid to bring aboard the 7-9 Republicans necessary to pass, the following changes have been made to DREAM Act:

The latest version, filed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) late Tuesday night, would bar illegal immigrants from receiving in-state college tuition; drops the age of eligibility to 29 from 34; would not grant permanent legal status to anyone for at least 10 years; would restrict eligibility for those who commit certain misdemeanor crimes; and would limit individuals from being able to sponsor family members for U.S. citizenship, among other changes.

Those who receive conditional legal status under the DREAM Act also would be ineligible for Medicaid, food stamps and other government-funded benefits.

These changes are designed to appease Republicans who want to prove to everyone that they're big assholes. No in-state tuition? If anything, why not allow the states to make that decision? Instead, Republicans seek to put up further roadblocks for those kids getting educated and trying to live the American dream. These changes universally scream, "we're going to be assholes simply because that's what we are -- assholes."

Mission accomplished. They're a bunch of assholes. Thank heavens, too, because I'm sure the DREAM kids didn't have enough assholes to deal with already.

That said, this thing is still worth passing, because it'll still be a lifesaver for many undocumented youngsters who are in America by no fault of their own, yet are American in every possible way. Penalizing children for something that isn't their fault is about as low as an elected official can go.

Here's the whip count as of early this morning, apparently before these changes were introduced:

GOP probably voting yes:

Bennett (UT)
Lugar (IN)
Murkowski (AK)

DEMS probably voting no:

Baucus (MT)
Conrad (ND)
Manchin (WV)
Nelson (NE)
Pryor (AR)
Tester (MT)

Now we have a poll in the field in Montana, last calls are being done right now, to see how Montanans view the issue. One thing is for sure, if Tester votes "no" on this bill, then this site won't lift a finger to help him in his 2012 reelection bid. We don't help people who are assholes to innocent kids.

Conrad, Manchin, Nelson, and Tester all face tough reelections in 2012. Baucus, Manchin, Nelson and Pryor are members in good standing of the asshole caucus.

GOPers who might vote "yes"

Brownback (KS)
Brown (MA)
Collins (ME)
Gregg (NH)
Hutchison (TX)
Kirk (IL)
LeMieux (FL)
Snowe (ME)
Ensign (NV)
Voinovich (OH)

Hutchison and LeMieux (who was a placeholder appointee) are both under particularly intense pressure from home state Latino Republicans, faith groups, university presidents, etc. Hutchison is going to get teabagged, so her vote may be an indication of how she plans to proceed -- if she votes "no", it'll likely be because she still thinks she can win a Republican primary. If she votes "yes", consider it the first sign that she'll run as an independent. LeMieux represents a state with a large Latino population (and a significantly Republican one, too). But he seems to have caught the Senate bug and rumors are that he'll be back for another shot at the seat. If so, he might figure a "yes" vote will kill him with the teabaggers in a primary.

The Maine twins would normally be good possibilities for "yes" votes, but with the teabaggers rising in their homestate and a 2012 election looming, I wouldn't hold my breath on Snowe. Brown has to be reelected in 2012 in liberal Massachusetts. Voinovich has retired and has nothing to lose. Kirk has said he thinks "this is not the time" for this bill, but he does represent liberal Illinois. He'll have to start voting accordingly at some point.

Democrats who might vote "no"

Landrieu (LA)
McCaskill (MO)
Hagan (NC)
Dorgan (ND)

I'm surprised Landrieu is even in play. She's a member of the asshole caucus. Dorgan has retired and has nothing to lose. Hagan is in a tough state, but with a growing Latino population. She wouldn't be Senator without their vote. Hagan lost the white vote 57-39, yet won the state 53-44. Given that whites were 75 percent of the vote, you can do the math. It was a dominant black and brown vote that won her the seat. McCaskill won't survive 2012, but if she still thinks she can, she'll vote "no" to try and keep the hounds at bay. Won't work.

Bottom line?

DREAM Act supporters need to pick up 7-9 Republicans, and then limit loses among Democrats to no more than 5-7. Hopefully that new compromise language is assholishness enough to attract more than a few members of the asshole caucus.

::
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/ ... ily+Kos%29

"Jeez! not this guy again, what does he like write one of these stupid hate articles once a month?"

But a handful have to deal with a growing Latino population in their states or districts.

Yes, there is a growing population because we're not securing our borders so more invaders are sneaking in, and then they have millions of anchor babies. So what we need to do is seal the border, enforce the laws, and end the anchor baby travesty. NOT pander to the illegal invaders!!! You stupid a$$.

NO COMPROMISE!


NOT ONE IOTA OF A COMPROMISE!


NADA!

Still has more loopholes, some so big you can drive a truck through them. There still is no cap on how many can apply, no mention of dealing with those who submit fraudulent applications (the previous editions allowed them to remain in the country) and no expiration date. However our wide open borders which Obama and Napolitano have said are secure despite the presence of signs warning Americans to stay out of parts of our own territory because of drug and human smuggling violence and thousands illegally crossing every week renders this lack of a provision moot anyway. There are many more open borders and fiscally destroying provisions. Don't trust the schmucks on Capital Hell.

No, No, No, No, No. Kill this bill, Republicans. Or you will rue the day you didn't. Americans don't want 1 of these illegal aliens amnestized, citizenized, or legalized, because we don't want them here to begin with, and it doesn't matter if they're a high school drop out or a 1200 SAT headed for Harvard. We want them out of here, all of them, without exception, preference, bias or mercy.

You RINO's peeking out of the closet better not touch this with a 1000 foot pole... you think it got nutty with the bailout .. watch the repercussions from this one

watch the shit hit the fan and then try to figure out a way to survive 2012 elections ... theres no way out

This is far more radioactive than you could possibly ever comprehend

"Penalizing children for something that isn't their fault is about as low as an elected official can go".

kos Still does not get it.
It is not REWARDING anyones illegal behavior.
Putting one class above another, one race above another.
The kids don't get a break, they jump through the legal hoops
We all jump through the hoops. Everyday.
All Americans suffer the ramifications of illegal immigration.
Consequences? Welcome to our world. Our country Fleeced!
Now go back where mommy and daddy brought you from.
I don't need Spanish as a second language, you do.
No Compromise. Demands become threats from your side.
When a parent does not pay the rent? Do the children still sleep
comfortably in their warm bed in that house? NOPE!
Called the REAL WORLD and nothing is fair and nothings free.

Listen to this total bullsh@# -- Janet Napolitano says that "passing the Dream Act will help her do her job". Quote from FOX News running banner news this evening, Thurs.

Traitorous Janet Napolitano actually makes me so sick, I cannot look at her or listen to her when she's on TV. This woman actually heads the agency that is supposed to secure the homeland!! She is from Arizona, she knows full well we're being invaded!! How does someone like this live with herself??

Originally Posted by builditnow

How does someone like this live with herself??

Steve Miller Band: "Go on take the Money and Run" popped into my mind.