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by Niall O'Dowd

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comment on article 26 Comments
Posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 02:05 AM


Obama says 'yes we can' to immigration reform


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Barack Obama came out fighting last night in his State of the Union and made it clear that issues such as immigration reform are still very much on his agenda.

It was great to see the Commander in Chief recapture some of the fire and fury that brought him to the White House in the first place. For too long he has seemed a prisoner of the office, tentative, not bold, afraid to shake up the cosy consensus that passes for policy these days.

On immigration reform he was clear that he will pursue what has become one of the most contentious issues of his presidency. For tens of thousands of undocumented Irish his message was good news

He also knows that the huge Hispanic lobby has sat back quietly and allowed him to long finger the legislation but their patience is running out. A recent poll showed that 62 per cent of Hispanics, a key voting block for Obama, have urged him to introduce the immigration reform legislation that he has promised.

"If Obama breaks the one major promise he made to Latino voters -- to deliver comprehensive immigration reform -- this will make it tough for him to face the Latino community as he campaigns for re-election," wrote Rubin Navarette the influential columnist a few days ago. "And Democrats can't afford a sizable bloc of voters becoming so disillusioned with Obama's version of 'hope and change' that they don't turn out to help re-elect him."

Exactly. Obama is also fortunate that he has one of the best political operators around, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, leading the way on this legislation.

Schumer knows it has to have a bipartisan approach and that he needs to work across the aisle, which he has certainly committed to do.

He also knows average Americans have to feel like there is a correct balance between enforcement and legalization, a carrot-and-stick approach that will find that vital consensus and give the bill widespread support.

Obama has certainly now publicly committed to the Schumer model in the State of the Union. Hopefully legislation will now follow. Last night was a good start.



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Posted by MAGHNUS on Feb 15, 2010, 06:10 PM EST
@455reload: you should fear God, not your Government. The "Government" is made up of human beings, just like you and me. They are not more powerful then you or I. They are there to represent us, and help make decisions on how to make our Country better for us...Unfortunately, there is always a lot going on and much is jumbled up....Respect our Government, but don't fear it.
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Posted by Madeleine on Jan 31, 2010, 04:56 AM EST
We are talking a lot of Hispanics here, 30 million, there is no work here so who pays for their welfare, these people are also getting partial social security after 3 years work yet Obama is calling it an entitlement, we paid in plenty to SS and it was called a trust fund, not a hand out. There is NO work here. The American well is dry. Maybe you could take half, what do you say?
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Posted by allentown on Jan 29, 2010, 02:31 PM EST
The Hispanic Lobby slso supported Coakley in Massachusetts, because they knew she would be a vote for amnesty. So much for the Hispanic Lobby when it comes to convincing the American voters to let illegal aliens keep the jobs they took from our countrymen, many of them veterans.
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Posted by BigGuns on Jan 29, 2010, 01:23 PM EST
Who wrote this, Naill or the spineless cheerleader Chris Mathews. Obama is looking out for Hispanics, not Irish.
Report abuse
Posted by Sectionhand on Jan 29, 2010, 01:12 PM EST
Niall ... Who's side are you on ? When did you become a cheerleader for Obama ? And why are we so restricted in wanting to emmigrate to Ireland ?
Report abuse
Posted by 455reload on Jan 29, 2010, 12:38 PM EST
I LOVE MY COUNTRY, I FEAR MY GOVERNMENT,ESPECIALLY CHUCK SCHUMER .
Report abuse
Posted by Red on Jan 29, 2010, 11:12 AM EST
If you are in the U.S. illegally,GET OUT!
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Posted by Fran Connor on Jan 29, 2010, 09:42 AM EST
Obama also promised transparency, bipartisanship, and vetoes for legislation with earmarks. I guess he forgot.
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Posted by Michael T. Burns on Jan 29, 2010, 09:42 AM EST
NO HE CAN'T
Report abuse
Posted by Southernpride on Jan 29, 2010, 09:22 AM EST
Illegal immigration is wrong. Those people are breaking the law
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Posted by Southernpride on Jan 29, 2010, 09:13 AM EST
Illegal immigration is so wrong, They are breaking the law
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Posted by FastEddy on Jan 28, 2010, 10:12 PM EST
Just next door, it appears that there is another nit in the tea: "More Than 100 Immigrant Escapees on the Run in Britain" - http://www.planetdata.net/sites/global/news.php?story=28564 ... Its OK, we have more than that every month here in San Francisco just turned loose by the SF county sheriff.
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Posted by conniep on Jan 28, 2010, 07:23 PM EST
Taylor55 by the way u are talking u sound like white trash.I am happy to see so many of you YANKS worried about the irish.
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Posted by Taylor55 on Jan 28, 2010, 06:43 PM EST
Conniep, You left out the other talking points from the Mexica Movement brown supremacists: "We say, "No to occupation!" We say, "This is still our continent!" We say, "Europeans are the illegals---since 1492!" When Mexicans/Latinos become the majority in the USA through amensty, how many Irish do you think they will let in?
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Posted by Taylor55 on Jan 28, 2010, 06:40 PM EST
History lesson for Conniep, American Indians migrated to this land also. Since I was born and grew here in American I am a native American also, not an immigrant.
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Posted by Taylor55 on Jan 28, 2010, 06:32 PM EST
An English lesson for Conniep, Immigrant - An alien who has been granted the right by the US government to reside permanently in the United States and to work without restrictions in the United States. Also known as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). "Illegal aliens are not immigrants, they are foreign intruders" Jean Baptiste Truong, Executive Board Member Immigrant Rights Foundation
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Posted by conniep on Jan 28, 2010, 05:39 PM EST
Hey this country was built by immigrants,unless you are a native american u are an immigrant.
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Posted by Southernpride on Jan 28, 2010, 05:26 PM EST
American ethics like being 'self responsible', law abiding and hard working is lost on those illegal immigrants who see nothing wrong with breaking the law
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Posted by Taylor55 on Jan 28, 2010, 04:14 PM EST
Thanks Augie, Good point since we make them sick they should move to Ireland where they can be well again!!
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Posted by Augiestyles on Jan 28, 2010, 03:30 PM EST
Wow Taylor55... your reluctance to take in every illegal alien in the world and let them work and live as Americans do even though we now have 6 people for every job seems to upset conniep. You make them sick. That is pretty funny considering what would happen if an American just showed up to work in the EU. Hey connie9..get in line like everybody else!
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Posted by CrazyEyesKillah on Jan 28, 2010, 03:28 PM EST
You idiot Irish illegal aliens must be drunk. Obama never mentioned the word-manipulating "comprehensive immigration reform." He said, immigrants who "play by the rules," which clearly isn't ILLEGAL ALIEN IRISH OR ANY OTHER ILLEGAL ALIENS. Go home all illegal aliens and take your blarney with you. Michael Joseph McGarry ASPEN, CO
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Posted by Taylor55 on Jan 28, 2010, 02:27 PM EST
You mean the foreign criminals who are stealing jobs from Americans and send billions out of the US ever year, that's what illegal aliens are. Also most illegal families use far more in public services than they pay in taxes, why do you think California is bankrupt?
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Posted by conniep on Jan 28, 2010, 12:58 PM EST
To this comment made by Taylor55,u need to get a life u make me sick.What about the illegals that try to make a life here & support AMERICA by paying taxes & spending their dollars here.Grow up & see the light
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Posted by Taylor55 on Jan 28, 2010, 12:27 PM EST
Hahaha, the only people Ruben Navarette influences are San Diego Union Tribune readers into canceling their subscriptions with his anti American vitrol!
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Posted by Taylor55 on Jan 28, 2010, 12:22 PM EST
Americans are not going to approve amnesty during your lifetimes so all you foreign criminals need to get on the next Aer Lingus flight to Ireland. If you don't go voluntarily, Americans will force you on through individual action if need be.
Report abuse
Posted by JosephOCasey on Jan 28, 2010, 09:42 AM EST
No amnesty. Respect our laws when you come here. You are more than welcome to come to the USA legally.
 




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