Obama: Arizona Acted Stupidly With Its Immigration Law

But of course.

"Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others," Mr. Obama said in the Rose Garden ceremony. "That includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona which threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe."

He said he has instructed his administration to "examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country."

The president said that comprehensive immigration legislation, debated for years, is overdue, and noted that Democratic congressional leaders have agreed to try to move the issue this year. "I welcome the commitment of House and Senate Democratic leaders to take action," he said.

He noted that there are 11 Republicans still in the Senate who voted for an immigration overhaul when President George W. Bush was pushing it. "I'm hopeful that they will join with Democrats in doing so again, so we can make the progress the American people deserve," he said. The measure included a pathway to citizenship for some people in the country illegally.

I did not know that "basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans" includes allowing people to break the law.

As for the 11 Republicans in the Senate, if John McCain is off the the amnesty bandwagon (at least until the primary is over), then you can forget about it.

Even Lindsey Graham doesn't want to do immigration now. He's got more important things on his mind. Like Cap and Tax.

Graham also said moving ahead with immigration would scuttle the Senate’s capacity to deal with climate legislation. “It destroys the ability to do something like energy and climate,” he told reporters in the Capitol.

Graham has been working with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on an immigration plan, but reacted critically to reports that Democratic leaders may try to move on the issue.

“If immigration comes up then that's the ultimate CYA politics,” Graham said. He warned against bringing up a bill in a “haphazard way.”

The Democrats are really planning on going out in blaze of, er, glory. Aren't they?

UPDATE: Arizona Governor has a press conference scheduled for 4:30 eastern today about the bill.

posted by DrewM. at 02:18 PM

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