Thu 11 Mar 2010

What a bizarre political world we live in where there is a “slight” possibility where we have to pick between two conservative evils. Sen. Graham indicates that reconciliation will kill any chances of a bipartisan effort on immigration reform. Sen. Graham supports amnesty and is dangling his support for putting reconciliation off the table.
Graham, along with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), met with Obama to update him on their efforts to advance immigration reform legislation. During the meeting, Graham said he made it clear to the president that the already difficult task of passing immigration reform becomes even harder when reconciliation is in play.
“I expressed, in no uncertain terms, my belief that immigration reform could come to a halt for the year if health care reconciliation goes forward. For more than a year, health care has sucked most of the energy out of the room. Using reconciliation to push health care through will make it much harder for Congress to come together on a topic as important as immigration,” Graham said in a statement.
First, it will not work because the Democrats are all steam ahead on starting the reconciliation clock Monday. Second, I am not sure he is in a position to offer this sort of deal. Immigration reform is as controversial or more so than healthcare. The group that opposes the type of reform liberals and Graham are selling is larger, in my opinion, than those who oppose healthcare. Healthcare is a complicated issue to understand but everyday people understand the harms of illegal immigration.
He is right though. Reconciliation will destroy any chance of “negotiation” when it comes to immigration reform. In the end, it will destroy more than just dialogue but any hope the Democrats have of retaining a majority.
And guess who has never flip-flopped on immigration, our good friend J.D. Hayworth.
Also in the news. Mitt Romney wins big in the latest Florida poll.
“Florida’s the first really important stop on the GOP calendar that we’ve looked at, and Romney’s lead there is overwhelming. He gets 52% to 21% for Huckabee and 18% for Palin. It’s closer, but still a double digit advantage, in Colorado. There Romney gets 44% to 25% for Palin and 17% for Huckabee.
In each state Romney has a big advantage with both moderates and conservatives, although he is particularly strong at this point with the center of his party. In Florida he leads Huckabee by 28 with conservatives and has a 36 point advantage over both Huckabee and Palin with moderates. In Colorado he’s up 8 on Palin with conservatives, but leads her by 41 with moderates.
One particular source of strength for Romney at this very early stage is that he’s doing even better with senior citizens than the overall electorate. In Florida he’s up 47 with voters over 65 and in Colorado it’s a 21 point margin.”
Remember during the Arizona primary Romney picked up 34% of the vote, not bad for running in McCain’s own state. Florida is an important primary state and analogous to Arizona in a lot of ways. There is still some great candidates testing the waters but until I see more traction Mitt is my man for 2012.
Anyone surprised that Sarahcuda is third? I think she is great but it is becoming more and more apparent her role is to be a voice of conservatism, while keeping other candidates on their toes.
No surprises on Huckabee. The DNC did not call him a “glass jaw” for nothing, certain doom is to be had if he gains any traction in the southern states.
On a side note. I remember standing in the crowd watching McCain’s concession speech in Arizona, simultaneously watching President Obama give his speech at Hyde Park. I remember feeling dread as it seemed probable that the Democrats would be in power for a long, long, time. It seemed unfathomable that the Democrats could destroy so much momentum and trust in so little time. It never felt so good to be wrong…..






