Thread: W.H. targets reluctant Republicans on immigration reform

POLITICO

W.H. targets reluctant Republicans on immigration reform

By CAROL E. LEE & KASIE HUNT | 5/4/10 8:57 PM EDT
Comments 36


Sens. Judd Gregg, Lisa Murkowski, and Scott Brown are being courted by the W.H. to support immigration reform. AP photo composite by POLITICO

The White House is set to step up pressure on some key Republicans in hopes of winning support for comprehensive immigration reform.

But it’s shaping up to be a struggle, based on interviews with the senators President Barack Obama has approached on the issue.

The administration is starting with a pool of 11 Republicans who voted for immigration reform in 2006. Subtract a few who are dead-ends — such as John McCain, who faces a tough primary in Arizona — and that leaves the White House zeroing in on several others, including Dick Lugar, Judd Gregg and Lisa Murkowski and a couple of newcomers: Scott Brown and George LeMieux.

Each got a call from President Barack Obama from Air Force One two weeks ago. And last Wednesday, Obama stressed that without Republican support immigration reform is a nonstarter.

Next up, White House staff will reach out to the senators’ staffs to test out an outline of a Democratic proposal on immigration. Senate Democrats also have approached the White House about hosting an immigration summit to elevate the issue, an idea that came up during a meeting with immigration groups last Thursday, a person familiar with the meeting said.

Six other Republican senators voted for immigration reform four years ago — Bob Bennett, Sam Brownback, Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, Olympia Snowe and George Voinovich — but here are the Top 5 the White House is focused on now:

George LeMieux of FloridaOpen to talking, wants to see Obama out front

He’s seen as open to supporting reform because he’s a seat warmer who will be out of the Senate next year, after taking the seat that opened up when Mel Martinez retired.

LeMieux is considered a possible challenger to Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, but voting for immigration reform isn’t seen as harmful to that effort because Florida’s Latino voters are a powerful voting bloc.

When asked whether he would consider supporting an immigration bill, LeMieux said he has not seen the Democrats’ proposal but is more than willing to meet with them to review it. But, he said, reform is going to require a hands-on approach from Obama.

“Immigration is obviously a big issue for Florida. It’s a big issue for this country,â€

Please call the aforementioned GOP Senators and the following Democrats who voted against the 2007 amnesty bill:

Congressional switchboard: 202- 224- 3121

Pryor (Arkansas)
Bayh (Indiana)
Landrieu (Louisiana)
Stabenow (Michigan)
McCaskill (Missouri)
Baucus (Montana)
Tester (Montana)
Bingaman (New Mexico)
Brown (Ohio)
Sanders (Vermont)
Rockefeller (West Virginia)

Added to Homepage:
http://www.alipac.us/article-5223--0-0.html

ILLEGAL ALIENS MUST BE DEPORTED. THEY ARE A LIABILITY TO THIS COUNTRY. THEY COST TOO MUCH $$$$$$$$$$$$

Add Sen. John Cornyn of Texas to that list.

Cornyn Open to Working on Immigration Reform
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-197103.html

Regarding Senator LeMieux this is not good, not at all.

When I contacted Senator LeMieux's Washington office I was treated to a simple I will make sure the Senator gets your message response. Now I will follow up with a call to our regional office.

He is not yet concerned enough about the potential backlash to even have his staff messaging that he is against amnesty or some other similar and typically meaningless and misleading but soothing position.

This is a trial ballon that needs to be popped quick or Charlie Crist will be parroting the same thing soon.

Call now or call later. The difference is we can win by calling now!

Orlando: (407) 254-2573
Fort Myers: (239) 332-3898
Jacksonville: (904) 398-8586
Miami: (305) 418-8553
Fort Lauderdale954) 760-4124
Pensacola: (850) 433-2603
Tampa: (813) 977-6450

Washington D.C.: (202) 224-3041

ANYONE the white house targets, is the same people that WE need to target. every day with phone calls.