Obama To Continue Laser Like Focus On The Economy And Oil Spill By Talking About Immigration

Personally, I'd rather he avoid being President by going golfing. Again.

As per the norm, he won't be doing anything about illegal immigration or border enforcement, just talking about.

"The president's view is that there's been a lot in the news about immigration lately," deputy press secretary Bill Burton said Wednesday. "There's been the Arizona law, there's been meetings about it, there's been protests about it. He thought this was a good time to talk plainly with the American people about his views on immigration."

The president has been looking for ways to appear more proactive, rather than reactive, on immigration -- a hot-button political issue that is important to Hispanics in the Democratic base, who could play an important part in the outcome of the midterm elections.

This speech isn't about policy, it's about rallying the Hispanic vote ahead of the mid-terms. Obama promised to do something about this early in his term and so far...nothing. So it's time to shift blame, appear above the fray and beat up on Republicans.

Yesterday on Twitter, Andy Levy had the best preview (and likely summation) of the speech you will find....

In advance of POTUS's immigration speech tmrw, I'd like 2 express my condolences 2 the families of all the dead & wounded straw men.

Something I'm fairly sure won't be mentioned...how awesome it will be to add tens of millions newly legalized workers to an economy still hemorrhaging jobs.

Added: Shockingly Obama is making no distinctions between immigration and illegal immigration.

Obama just said something to the effect of 'illegal immigration makes a mockery of those going through the legal process'. Um, so the answer is to jump the illegals ahead of those playing by the rules? I guess my pants aren't sufficiently creased to understand that thinking.

Remember when Obama was considered a great orator? Why was that again?

My God, this is a speech filled with warmed over ideas, straw-men and catchphrases. At least it's being delivered in a low energy, stumbling manner.

If Obama really wanted to get something going on this issue, he'd be giving this speech in a bigger, higher energy setting doing his "Fired up, ready to go! Yes we can!" shtick. This pseudo-serious stuff will get him a little credit from the left but not put himself so far out there that he's committed to doing something.

Shorter Obama..."Hey that 2007 immigration effort worked out well, let's just try the same thing again. Now watch this drive!"

Via, um, me on Twitter: Something to consider when you read the inevitable praise for this speech...what in it couldn't and wasn't said in '07 (by Bush!)?

Post-partisan President says: Most Democrats are ready to deal with this but evil Republicans aren't. Well, sort of. There would be plenty of bi-partisan support for an enforcement only approach. Yet that's not on the table. So spare me this, "Republicans are mean" crap.

posted by DrewM. at 11:09 AM

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