Can Graham Win Where McCain Failed On Immigration Reform?
March 15, 2010
CaribWorldNews, WASHINGTON, D.C., Mon. Mar. 15, 2010: On Thursday, March 11th, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) quietly met with President Obama to put forward a bi-partisan immigration reform plan.
Graham has seemingly taken over where Senator John McCain left off in 2007, as he gets on board with the Democrats to push forward the Senate`s version of comprehensive immigration reform.
The question now is whether Graham has the support to keep many of his anti-immigration reform Republicans in the Senate in line to support this measure or will it end as disastrously as the McCain-Kennedy bill and leave him alienated and facing an internal rift?
Graham for his part is being cautious; in fact, so cautious that he is playing hard ball with Obama.
As he stated after the meeting, `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.`
So as far as Graham is concerned, it`s either immigration reform on health care, and not both. It is a stupid position to take, especially since both issues are of major importance to America.
Senator Graham recognizes this or he would not be supporting the measure. AS he stated: `Our immigration system remains broken and in desperate need of repair. We need workable and enforceable immigration laws that protect our national security and our economic well-being. Success on a comprehensive solution will require a broad, bipartisan coalition working together. We understand building that coalition will require time and strong leadership and involvement from the President, the business community, labor and all corners of American society.`
But does he now have the cohones to deliver much needed reform for immigrants and try to mend Republican fences with this huge voting bloc? The answer remains to be seen. But what is certain that with a March 21st mega rally set for Washington, D.C. by immigrant reform activists and supporters, the pressure is on to deliver on the Obama and Democratic campaign promises even as Republicans try to gain favor with immigrant voters ahead of November.
However, Senator Graham, it is not simply one or the other. Both issues are important and the Republican party would be well served to rethink their alienation of the immigrant voting bloc, especially of the Latino votes, and support reform on both fronts that benefit real, hard working Americans. – By Felicia Persaud/CWNN/ NY
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