How big an issue is President Obama\’s decision to put off giving amnesty to illegals until after the midterm elections? How exploitable is it as a wedge issue for Republicans?
Well, here, via excerpts from an article at Fox News, are some (not all) initial reactions from pro-amnesty groups – groups which can sit on their hands rather than vote for the President\’s fellow Democrats in November. See if they tell a story:
“Weare bitterly disappointed in the president,” said Frank Sharry,executive director of the group America\’s Voice. “The presidentand Senate Democrats have chosen politics over people.”
“Justicedelayed is justice denied,” said Arturo Rodriguez, United FarmWorkers president. “He broke his promise to the millions ofimmigrants and Latinos who are looking for him to lead on this issuein the wake of Republicans’ dysfunction and obstruction.”
Rodriguezvowed that his group would continue to “keep fighting andorganizing” for reform. But Sherry expressed little optimism thatObama would indeed take action after the November elections, in whichDemocrats must fend against a strong Republican effort to win a nettotal of six Senate seats to take control of the chamber.
“Itis hard to believe this litany of high expectations and brokenpromises will be mended by the end of the year,” Sherry said.
ThePICO National Network\’s Campaign for Citizenship, one of thecountry\’s largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network, alsoexpressed disappointment in Obama\’s reported decision.
“Theodds of us being let down by President Obama were high,” said EddieCarmona, the group\’s campaign manager. “The president and theSenate Democrats have made it very clear that undocumented immigrantsand Latinos are simply viewed as political pawns.”
Still,Carmona vowed that his group also would continue to push for change,despite the “unacceptable delay.”
Does that look like these folks are motivated voters this year? Or does it look like they just might be more interested in sitting this one out, to teach Barack Obama and his party a lesson they won\’t forget — even as anti-amnesty people are motivated to go to the polls for the same reason?
If Republicans can\’t figure out how to benefit from President Obama\’s duplicity on this issue, they may as well pack it in and head for parts unknown.
