Thread: Obama to tackle immig., carefully (Slim is Guti. staffer)

(Search not working right now for me -if a dup. I'll remove.)

Here is a second article that states Slim Coleman is a staffer for US Rep. Luis Gutierrez. This link about this issue is posted in general as well. Slim and Emma Lozano are the couple that kept Elvira A. in a storefront church for over a year. They now have Flor there. I follow Illinois politics closely and I had never heard of this job connection...

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-160407.html

Obama to tackle immigration, carefully
No guarantees on timing of new plan

By Peter Wallsten | Washington Bureau
June 21, 2009

WASHINGTON -- For the first time since taking office, President Barack Obama is diving into the thorny details of the country's long-running Immigration battles, summoning lawmakers to the White House this week for what aides say will be an "honest discussion of the issues" to "identify areas of agreement, and areas where we still have work to do."

The meeting is highly anticipated by Latino leaders and immigrant advocates eager for Obama to honor his campaign promise to put millions of undocumented workers on a "pathway to citizenship."

But many Democrats are concluding that they may not have the muscle to pass such a controversial measure -- at least not now, and possibly not until after the 2010 mid-term elections.

And even though Obama used a Hispanic prayer breakfast Friday to reiterate his intention to pass some sort of new Immigration plan during his presidency, this week's gathering demonstrates how the White House and congressional leaders are trying to strike a careful balance.

They seek to assuage Hispanic voters, who are a key constituency, while avoiding specific promises on timing and substance and trying not to antagonize independent voters who may have a skeptical view of legalization.

Obama, for example, slightly recast his citizenship plan promise during Friday's remarks, saying that new legislation should "clarify the status of millions who are here illegally, many who have put down roots.

"For those who wish to become citizens," he said, "we should require them to pay a penalty and pay taxes, learn English, go to the back of the line behind those who played by the rules."

The biggest obstacle to speedy passage of a citizenship plan, according to interviews with lawmakers and Capitol Hill strategists, is the House. Democrats hold a wide majority there, but at least 40 members represent moderate or conservative swing districts where legalization plans are unpopular and often derided as "amnesty" for lawbreakers.

"This a very, very difficult issue," said Rep. Jason Altmire, a Democrat elected in 2006 from rural western Pennsylvania. "The Democratic Party is doing everything they can to capture this very fast-growing community, and I understand that. But I'm not in that camp."

The White House has downplayed expectations for next week's meeting.

According to Latino lawmakers who met with Obama this spring, the president had promised to host a summit with lawmakers and advocacy groups, just as he did with health-care leaders when he kicked off the debate on that issue. Instead, the Immigration event will be small and private and will include only House and Senate members involved in the Immigration debate.

Moreover, the White House is careful to point out that Obama wants to merely begin the debate. He is not promising that a plan will be passed this year.

The gathering "is intended to launch a policy conversation, with the hope of having a substantive debate later this year," said White House spokesman Nick Shapiro. Several factors suggest that a delay is likely.

Obama has already delivered one major victory to Latino voters, two-thirds of whom backed him in last year's election. That was the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, who would be the first Latino on the Supreme Court.

Some strategists fear that rising unemployment could make lawmakers even more reluctant to support a measure that would be portrayed by opponents as a jobs bill for illegal immigrants.

And Obama has made it clear that he has two legislative goals for the year -- a hugely expensive health-care plan and a controversial global warming bill.

Still, some Latino activists, led by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), have pledged to keep applying pressure.

Emma Lozano, an activist who is married to one of Gutierrez's congressional staffers, is organizing a demonstration to take place outside the White House during the Immigration meeting. Gutierrez has promised to tell demonstrators immediately after the meeting what the president said -- or did not say.

"We need to hear, 'This is what we're for, and this is the timeline,' " said Gutierrez. "This has got to happen this year. ... Everybody in the House and the Senate is waiting for a signal from the White House."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nati ... 3361.story

But many Democrats are concluding that they may not have the muscle to pass such a controversial measure -- at least not now, and possibly not until after the 2010 mid-term elections.

This is why we need to be prepared to work really hard to get any pro-amnesty representatives OUT of office in 2010.

"and areas where we still have work to do."

Your work, Mr. BHO, is to get a clue. We don't want illegal aliens here. That is a pet project of your liberal henchmen.

This issue can only highlight the fact that we have a British citizen running the EXECUTIVE BRANCH of the USA.
How bad can it get!

Originally Posted by Mayflowerchick

This issue can only highlight the fact that we have a British citizen running the EXECUTIVE BRANCH of the USA.
How bad can it get!

As bad as the NAU then a World Government!