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by Niall O'Dowd

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Posted on Monday, February 01, 2010 at 11:11 AM

Obama attacked as 'very weak' on immigration reform

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President Barack Obama's comments on legalizing undocumented workers in his State of the Union address has drawn sharp criticism from immigration advocates.

Obama stated toward the end of his speech that "We should continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system," Obama said ". . . and ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation."

Rep Luis Gutierrez, (D-Ill.) who has authored a bill in the house that has 92 co-sponsors , told the Washington Post there there was "disillusionment" among immigration advocates across the country.

"There's almost universal consensus that what the president said -- it was too little," Gutierrez said. "He was very weak on immigration, lackadaisical."

The Washington Post quoted one veteran Senate lobbyist on the issue as saying "immigration is deader than a doornail,"

"I had very low expectations, but he surprised even me with how little he said," said Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice. He and other advocates are pushing to legalize many of 12 million illegal immigrants.

Following the President's off-hand remarks Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), sought to to reassure immigrant advocates and Latino groups that they were still working with Senator Lindsay Graham( R-S.C.) to find Republican backers for a joint bill.

"It's something we're committed to do, and we'll do it as soon as we can," Reid told reporters.

The White House stated the fact that he mentioned it meant it was part of his agenda for the year: "What he said in the speech was that we should move the process and legislation forward this year."

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Posted by Castlecove on Feb 19, 2010, 03:59 AM EST

Wow- The Tea Party should recruit from this group-racist President indeed-I wonder with what authority some speak for "The vast majority of Americans"? Funny, as a third generation native, I've never met these hate filled Americans-Thank God! But,the Immigration guards in Dublin- Indeed!

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Posted by plasticpaddy on Feb 05, 2010, 07:55 PM EST

Of course allentown you are aware that the vast majority of bills do not have as many co-sponsors as voters in favour!

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Posted by marywithers on Feb 04, 2010, 01:00 PM EST

With an unemployment rate at 10%, few, if any, Americans are interested in receiving immigrants for ANY country.

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Posted by allentown on Feb 03, 2010, 08:57 PM EST

Congressman Guterriez has 92 co-sponsers. Excuse me-----but aren't there 435 Congressmen in the House?

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Posted by Temerity on Feb 03, 2010, 05:32 PM EST

I think the key words in Obama's speech were "who play by the rules". In anycase I always thought Obama was elected because the executive wanted to try to erase a little of the racist persona that America has acquired.They wo'nt want him for another term.Did someone say something about it was a Democracy vote.ROFL.:-).

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Posted by irishwxman on Feb 03, 2010, 05:06 PM EST

Obama is weak on everything except ruining a country.

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Posted by CrazyEyesKillah on Feb 03, 2010, 03:23 PM EST

There isn’t going to be another (eight) stinking amnesty. Not now, not ever again. That’s because there are now way too many just like me who will use ANY MEANS NECESSARY to stop It—ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

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Posted by Christisall on Feb 02, 2010, 04:27 PM EST

Heis bad, weak, socialistic, narcissistic, racist, lacking in good judgment, not attractive in any way, etc. etc.

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Posted by Tony Barry on Feb 02, 2010, 09:55 AM EST

Correction to last post...Illegals or undocumented have NOT played by the rules.

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Posted by Tony Barry on Feb 02, 2010, 09:53 AM EST

What's wrong with what he said I'm not an advocate for this president, but what he said is correct "Ensure that everyone who plays by the rules can contribute to our economy and enrich our nation." Illegals, or as you call them "Undocumented" have played by the rules.

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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 01, 2010, 03:29 PM EST

Obama is a politician (who's busily redefining the meaning of 'narcissistic,' no less). In other words, he's interested in political self-preservation above all else. Why, therefore, would he embrace something (amnesty for illegals) that the overwhelming majority of the USA opposes...particularly when he and his party's political fortunes are already on the ropes, already?

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Posted by chesapeake on Feb 01, 2010, 01:09 PM EST

When are you people going to realize that Obama is weak in just about everything except prevarication and whining.