POLITICO

Barack Obama woos Scott Brown on immigration

By KASIE HUNT | 4/20/10 6:02 PM EDT
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President Obama called Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) from Air Force one to gauge Brown's support for reform bill. AP

President Barack Obama called Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) on Tuesday to gauge his support for a comprehensive immigration reform bill, a sign the White House is serious about pushing the issue in Congress this year.

Obama’s outreach to Brown is part of a quickly hatched, coordinated effort with congressional leaders to thrust the volatile immigration debate back to the front burner. At a joint House and Senate leadership meeting late Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised to House leaders that he would put an immigration bill on the floor this year. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also in the Tuesday evening meeting, said the House would prioritize immigration reform, according to a Democratic leadership source with knowledge of the meeting.

The president called Brown from Air Force One, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said. But Brown didn’t signal any willingness to dive into immigration reform.

“Sen. Brown told the president that he would review any legislation if it came before the Senate, but he believes that the immediate focus should be on fixing the economy and creating jobs,â€