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Trey Gowdy: Why Didn’t Obama Do a ‘Damn Thing’ About Immigration When He Controlled Congress?

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mystery-ak:
http://www.ijreview.com/2014/11/202378-gowdy-obama-didnt-damn-thing-immigration-controlled-houses-congress/

Trey Gowdy: Why Didn’t Obama Do a ‘Damn Thing’ About Immigration When He Controlled Congress?
BY MIKE MILLER

As the debate rages on over President Obama’s reportedly imminent announcement that he will grant “deferred action” (de facto amnesty) to upwards of 5 million illegal immigrants, Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) appeared on The O’Reilly Factor on Thursday to weigh in.

The outspoken Congressman, famous for cutting to the chase, nailed the critical argument against Obama’s pending executive action in one question:


--- Quote ---“[F]rom 2008 to 2010, when he had the House, the Senate and the White House, he didn’t do a damn thing about immigration, so why can’t he give the Republican House and Senate three months, six month, nine months, to do what he wasn’t able to do in two years?”
--- End quote ---

Excellent question. On two counts:


--- Quote ---1. Why didn’t Obama pass immigration reform during his first two years in office, particularly after having made a campaign promise to do so, during his first year?
--- End quote ---

Obama vowed in 2008 to “put comprehensive immigration reform back on the nation’s agenda during my first year in office.” But shortly after being sworn in, he began to back off the promise, telling reporters over a year later that what while immigration “reform” was still a “serious concern,” “we’ve got a lot on our plate right now.”


--- Quote ---2. Why the urgency now? While not give the new Congress the opportunity to work together in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation?
--- End quote ---

Obama argues that the Republican-controlled House has failed for four years to pass a comprehensive immigration bill, so he has no other choice but to wield the executive pen now. That is simply not true.

Therein lies the answer to the urgency question. Obama obviously believes that by taking unilateral action, he will achieve two objectives:


--- Quote ---1. Be able to take sole credit for immigration reform, thus repairing damage within the Hispanic community caused by his broken campaign promise in 2008.

2. Leave Republicans on the outside looking in, with the hope of further alienating the GOP from Hispanic voters.
--- End quote ---

Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain: By taking executive action and granting de facto amnesty to 5 million illegal immigrants, Obama is making it clear that he has no intention of “working together” with the new Congress – despite his protestations to the contrary.

Bigun:
He's right on every point!

olde north church:
The answer is actually very simple; he knew the electoral consequence and how it would affect the Senate.  Screw the House, it's 435 people who don't know whether or not to shit or go blind.  He also knew to make the move in his first term, it would prevent him from getting a second.
ON THE OTHER HAND, the Senate is a six year term.  There were in enough in protected seats to create a firewall.  There were few enough up for election the national media could focus on and ridicule.  A witch?  Real rape?  Sharon Angle?  Mordock (?).  "It's in the bag, boss!" and the MEDIA went to work.
Two years left for a lame duck President.  So what?  John and Jane Q. Public have been dry f*cked.  Now just let me wipe what's left on your thigh and send you down to the vending machine down the hall for a Dr. Pepper and a bag of Cheetos.

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