Thread: Kennedy Plea Was Last Gasp for Immigration Bill

June 9, 2007
Kennedy Plea Was Last Gasp for Immigration Bill
By CARL HULSE
This article was reported by Carl Hulse, Robert Pear and Jeff Zeleny and written by Mr. Hulse.

WASHINGTON, June 8 — It was the moment of truth for legislation that would make the most profound changes in immigration policy in more than 20 years.

Desperate to salvage a measure in which he and others had invested months, Senator Edward M. Kennedy headed to the secluded Capitol suite of Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, to make one last personal plea.

Mr. Kennedy, an immigration advocate since his first days in the Senate nearly 45 years ago, hoped to persuade Mr. Reid to delay a procedural vote that could kill the measure. As the two met shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday in the well-appointed office that overlooks the Mall, Mr. Reid told Mr. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, that Republicans would just endlessly stall the bill and that it was time to move on. Mr. Reid had already granted enough extensions.

Just minutes before that meeting, Senate Republicans in the middle of the immigration fight had ended an hours-long huddle at which they argued over what demands they would make in exchange for agreeing to cap the debate time. But they could not see eye to eye among themselves and ultimately filed empty-handed out of the office of Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader.

Within two hours, the centerpiece of President Bush’s remaining domestic agenda and what many people saw as the best chance to get a handle on the worsening immigration problem, was yanked from the floor. Two weeks of debate had failed to stem attacks from critics on the right and left; 38 Republicans, 11 Democrats and 1 independent rejected Mr. Reid’s call to limit debate and head toward a resolution.

This account is based on interviews with senators, administration officials and others who spent much of the week in the Capitol as the Senate debated the bill.

“People on opposite sides of the political spectrum, in effect, banded together to defeat the middle,â€

Go home "Land Whale"!!!

oliver's picture again...

Replaying on C Span-

Good grief, Kennedy is on talking about the stars being lined up. He said the American people expect them to do something. How about the illegal alien people wanting him to do something. The American people just want him and his cohorts to go away.


Vast amount of Americans want us to do something Arlen Specter says. He discounted those of us who he refers to as the minority. The larger group he refers to as the silent majority.

Now blaming Democrats and they now have a roadmap. There will be a finite list that will come forward, around 10, and then they can get the job done. The job will be done to us if we done get these guys. They keep saying they are doing it for us.

They hung around for about an hour after and realized they just could not leave it with that vote. They have figured out how to get it back together. They will find a way forward. Kyl voted last nite with MCConnell and Lott so people can have time to have their say.. Opportunities yesterday that were squandered. Leaders need a historical perspective. Should we accomodate those who haven't been very accomodating to me? This is historic in its importance. We need to tackle this problem so we can move forward. You may be frustrated with members of Senate, but the leaders must appreciate that a little more time and a few amendments, then in 100 years who will care it took 2 or 3 days.

(Oh my, we must round up a posse' and get these guys.) Where is Sheriff Arpaio? He believes in enforcing the law. Maybe he can arrest them and put them in pink underwear.

Feinstein is up - we havent briefed the media enough. This is not amnesty, talk shows drumming up amnesty. In her 15 yrs. never received more emails of hate. Ask us about the bill, the philosophy of the bill. People put in amendments and it pulls the accomodations apart. The coalition unravels. The nature of a comprehensive bill is all inclusive. It is from A- Z.

(Where is the hook, pull these traitors off the stage)

Lindsey, Lindsey, says the President will be engaged, like college football, 4 downs down (Some football terminology). Reschedule this bill, can be done in a couple or three weeks. Want some alternatives, the bill was principled compromise. Turns the public into cynics. What about my next election some think, but I am thinking beyond the next election and the future.
Referred to Kennedy as a principled man who has given. (Puke)

They aren't going away.

Kyl doesn't look at it as risking alot. Clearly everyone wants this dealt with. We need to consider a group of amendments. Lets not engage in blame game. Historical significance. We have important things to do, but can't think of much more important than this. We can get this done. History will judge us on what we accomplish. His most difficult vote in Senate. Always better off to give Senators their say, Kennedy knows well. It upsets the Senators schedule (oh brother, what about upsetting American people's lives).

Now Kennedy says someone told Jack (his brother) that this is a great job as long as you don't have to vote.


Kennedy is saying this is a timely place, chemical place, an ebb and flow - people who were obstuctionists gave some - wanted to continue movement and moment, leadership said they were coming back (last night) - we know the players, need the President's involvement, his personal involvement, taking courageous position, his influence is important (gobblety goop, out in left field speaking)

Twinges at grand bargain (he makes me twinge)


Getting people out of the shadows and into the sunlight - must feel safe in coming out and giving information - church has been helpful - barrier must be secured - all elements must be in House Bill

Lindsey, there will be no bill without merit based system strong family based program, there will never be a bill without guest worker program, never be a bill to address 12 million people. Poll says Enforce the law. I am not saying I know more, but never be a bill without tamperproof ID. President Bush has been intimately involved, meeting with Senators one on one. Not practiclal to say deportation.

Our President comes from Texas and he understands this. We are going to get this done. THE VOTES ARE THERE, THE VOTES ARE THERE.

(It is all about history kids, they don't care about their futures , poor dears - they only care about us and history, they are sacrificing for you and for me) YEAH RIGHT

Originally Posted by GeorgiaPeach

Lindsey, there will be no bill without merit based system strong family based program, there will never be a bill without guest worker program, never be a bill to address 12 million people.

Like I keep saying, give them free airplane rides home. Do you think MeMint or Sessions or Vitter would offer an amendment like this?

Let the Senators that want the illegals to stay be the first to go with the illegals back to their homelands. They are traitors to the United States of America.