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On Immigration Reform, Obama Skips Specifics

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 19, 2009 2:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Lackluster support for immigration reform has forced President Obama to be purposefully vague about a timeline for legislation, Michael Muskal writes in the Los Angeles Times. “I’m committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform,” Obama told Latino leaders today. But his “vague language on timing for immigration reform is in sharp contrast to the way he describes other issues,” Muskal notes.

“For example, on health care, Obama has called on Congress to send him a final bill by the fall,” Muskal writes. “But polls show that immigration is a more touchy issue, lacking the broad-based consensus of some others.” Obama told the Latino group that keeping the promise of America “means upholding America’s tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. Those things aren’t contradictory; they’re complementary.”

President Barack Obama greets members of the audience after delivering remarks at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast.
President Barack Obama greets members of the audience after delivering remarks at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast.   (AP Photo)
People visit friends and family through the international border fence on Father's Day in Tijuana, Mexico.
People visit friends and family through the international border fence on Father's Day in Tijuana, Mexico.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference in Washington.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference in Washington.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
kokuaguy
Jun 20, 2009 7:52 AM CDT
I wouldn't mind a couple of hits of whatever you're smoking, raht thaaaaang.
kokuaguy
Jun 20, 2009 7:47 AM CDT
George Bush got a couple of things right in eight years and his position on CIR was good. It's too bad he waited until he had absolutely no political capital and damaged his party with the timing of his proposal. Well, actually, I'm sort of happy about the second part. Shock, surprise !!! If Bush has any concern for his legacy he will come forward and do the right thing by supporting the Obama administration on this.
justme
Jun 20, 2009 1:31 AM CDT
Since Obama's decisions usually mirror the polls at the time, he can't be specific. His only real option, without teeing off some major portion of the population, is to do what Bush did. AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE

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