Rubio blames GOP failure to pass Immigration Reform on Obamacare

ThinkProgress: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) suggested on Sunday that President Obama’s refusal to compromise with Republicans on Obamacare to re-open the government and raise the nation’s debt ceiling has jeopardized the chances of passing comprehensive immigration reform.

“I think immigration reform is harder to achieve today than it was three weeks ago because of what happened here,” the first-term senator said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday, before agreeing with opponents of immigration reform who warn that the Obama Administration will simply fail to enforce border security or other aspects of a bill he disagrees with.

“The president has undermined this effort, absolutely, because of the way he has behaved over the last three weeks,” Rubio added. “This notion that they’re going to get in a room and negotiate a deal with the president on immigration is much more difficult to do…because of the way the president has behaved towards his opponents over the last three weeks.”

This seems to me to be a pretty good sign that the GOP has completely given up on Latino voters, since it’s a good sign that Rubio himself has given up on them. Not only is this demographic in favor of immigration reform, but when broken down by ethnicity, they’re the most supportive demo of the Affordable Care Act. If you wanted to win them over, attacking Obamacare while ditching Immigration Reform would be the very lousiest way to do it.

But Rubio’s excuse-making is not aimed at selling a disappointing turn of events to Latino voters, it’s aimed at explaining to the hardcore ‘bagger loons that they were right about the Lurking Foreign Menace and Barack HUSSEIN Obama all along and that they should please, please vote Marco Rubio for president at some unspecified future date.

Unfortunately for Marco, the anti-immigration zealotry of the GOP base has taken him from “rising star” to “has-been.”

[photo via Wikimedia Commons]

Because the GOP base only responds to ridiculous BS now…

The Hill: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), a key architect of the Senate’s comprehensive immigration reform bill, warned Tuesday that President Obama could use an executive order to legalize millions of illegal immigrants if Congress does not act on the issue.

“I believe that this president tempted, will be tempted, if nothing happens in Congress, to issue an executive order as he did for the Dream Act kids a year ago, where he basically legalizes 11 million people by the sign of a pen,” Rubio told WFLA’s “The Morning Show with Preston Scott.”

"Now we won’t get any E-Verify, we won’t get any border security, but he’ll legalize them," he added.

So, how do you get Republicans on board with immigration reform? Sell them an insane conspiracy theory. That’s what they’re used to and that’s what they like.

"What’s particularly interesting here is that Rubio doesn’t think it’s enough to point out that the current situation is untenable," notes Greg Sargent. "According to GOP pollster Whit Ayres, even Republican primary voters, once they engage on the issue, agree that the current situation amounts to de facto ‘amnesty’ for the 11 million, and want to do something about it. But merely proposing to solve an existing problem won’t do it; Rubio thinks he needs to make inaction appear far more frightening to Republicans by also invoking Obama’s evil intentions, i.e., his secret desire to grant citizenship to them without securing the border.

"Here you have the makings of a way out of the GOP predicament. Republicans can embrace comprehensive reform as a way of frustrating Obama’s secret designs."

But how badly has the Republican Party and their press shop at Fox News and talk radio screwed up the heads of GOP voters? They won’t listen to reason anymore, so you have to cook up some insane and panic-inducing fairy tale about grand conspiracies and scary brown people taking over America.

I wonder when Republicans will realize they’ve taken propagandizing way too far?

Maybe it’s too late for that realization to make any difference. Maybe they already known they’ve twisted the minds of millions beyond any hope of rationality and, as Rubio’s finding out, the only way to lead them anymore is to play along with the paranoid madness the party has instilled in them.

[photo by Gage Skidmore]

Taking a beating over immigration, Rubio plans to pander to the base with doomed abortion bill

The Atlantic: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has seen his approval rating fall among conservatives in the wake of his push to reform U.S. immigration policy, and so it is not surprising that he, out of all 46 Republican senators, will sponsor a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks. With the potential 2016 presidential candidate in charge of guiding the measure through the Senate, it’s guaranteed to get “enormous media attention and thus more national visibility for the issue of limiting late term abortions," The Weekly Standard’s Fred Barnes writes. And it could help Rubio win back conservative hearts and minds.

Rubio’s name was booed at a Tea Party rally in Washington, D.C. last month. A June 19 Quinnipiac poll found that Florida voters disapprove of the way Rubio’s handling immigration reform by 41 percent to 33 percent. A recent Washington Post/ ABC News poll found Rubio’s “strongly favorable" ratings among Republicans has dropped 11 points since August. Barnes writes, “His front-and-center role on a key anti-abortion measure is likely to ease concerns about him among GOP voters." It will be interesting to see whether conservative voters will be OK with citizenship for 11 million immigrants if they get some potential restrictions on the 1.2 million abortions each year.

If this doesn’t work, he’ll sponsor a bill to hand out guns to kindergartners or have the Ten Commandments tattooed on the backs of everyone’s eyelids. This bill will probably never even come up for a vote, let alone pass. Even if by some miracle it got out of congress, the president would veto it and it would violate Roe. It serves one purpose, to shore up Rubio’s 2016 chances by casting him as a general in the Republican War on Women. Whether it passes or not is irrelevant. In fact, if it doesn’t pass, all the better. And yes, these state-level bans will be struck down in the courts.

Losing abortion fights is preferable to winning because the one-issue voter goes away when that one issue has been resolved. In the bait-and-switch that is Republican abortion politics, losing battles brings the chumps back for more. Vote for abortion bans, get tax cuts for gazillionaires and the gutting of worker protections — lather, rinse, repeat.

The Republican Party must be extremely pleased with the endless gullibility of their base. Kick them in the teeth and they keep coming back for more — every time.

[photo by Gage Skidmore]

Marco the 'moderate'

Jim Morin, Miami Herald.

About that whole ‘Republicans convert to realism’ meme…

Talking Points Memo’s Pema Levy points out an exchange in an interview of Marco Rubio by GQ:

GQ: How old do you think the Earth is? 

Marco Rubio: I’m not a scientist, man. I can tell you what recorded history says, I can tell you what the Bible says, but I think that’s a dispute amongst theologians and I think it has nothing to do with the gross domestic product or economic growth of the United States. I think the age of the universe has zero to do with how our economy is going to grow. I’m not a scientist. I don’t think I’m qualified to answer a question like that. At the end of the day, I think there are multiple theories out there on how the universe was created and I think this is a country where people should have the opportunity to teach them all. I think parents should be able to teach their kids what their faith says, what science says. Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to answer that. It’s one of the great mysteries.

A few points here. First, we know how old the Earth is — at least, more or less. It’s not the big freakin’ hotly contested mystery Rubio wants us to believe it is.

Second, since when aren’t people able to “teach their kids what their faith says, what science says?”

Third, that whole thing about Republicans becoming chastened by their “unskewed polls” disaster and becoming more accepting of reality? I wouldn’t bet money on it.

Fourth, am I the only one who thought of this Stan Smith quote when they read that headline?: “Here we go — mac and cheese. ‘Boil water.’ What am I, a chemist?”

Stories to Watch: 6/19/12

Despite reports that Marco Rubio is off the list of possible running mates, Romney insists he's still in contention. In related news, a woman is probably out.


Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell says he's waiting for Romney to come up with a position on children of undocumented immigrants before the party takes a stand on the issue. I wouldn't hold my breath. Mittens is really shy about controversy and my money's on him hoping for it to all blow over.


One of the many, many ways Republicans fail to actually support our troops. It's more than a slogan, guys.


If government is dysfunctional, blame Republicans.


Romney is being pursued by a giant foam-rubber birth control dispenser.


The familiar sight of throngs of Egyptians crowding Tahrir Square. Also, is Hosni Mubarak dead or not?


We've got to fire teachers, police, and firefighters. Cut foodstamps and government services. Slash Medicare and Social Security. But, for Republicans at least, there's always plenty of money to throw at nuclear weapons.


Finally, National Review isn't even pretending not to be racist anymore.

Related articles

• Egyptian protesters return to Tahrir Square to fight military rule - Los Angeles Times

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• McConnell: Tax code benefits the poor and needs to be changed

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• Business Insider Editor Says Mitch McConnell Enforcing GOP Obstruction 'From Now Until The Election'

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Stories to Watch: 5/3/12

It is humid and stormy and it just sucks. I don't want to talk about it. Now here's the news...


Rightwing ultra-gazillionaire energy magnates don't always get along.


George Zimmerman keeps changing his story.


Super PACs are super-negative.


Gender-based income inequality extends even to CEOs.


Facing recall, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker rewrites history to a ludicrous degree.


The War on Women rages in Alabama and Louisiana.


You know how Republicans argue that tax cuts are always just the best thing ever for the economy? About that...


In polling, Rick Santorum barely edges out Marco Rubio as Republicans' VP candidate of choice. Boy, are they going to be disappointed.


Ed Kilgore's take on Mitt Romney's campaign firing adviser Ric Grenell for being gay is well worth a moment.


If you saw Louisiana Gov. Bobbie Jindal on MSNBC this morning, you saw him lie.


Finally, how much does Mitt Romney love America? This much.

Related articles

• Soledad O'Brien Grills Evasive Bobby Jindal About Whether He'd Be Open To VP Slot
• Mitt Romney Campaign Thought Richard Grenell Flap Had Blown Over
• Grenell Departure Is Romney Campaign's First Big Mess

News Roundup for 5/1/12

Mitt Romney

-Headline of the Day-
"Has Team Romney forgotten that the Bush years were terrible?"

They sure seem to have.

According to Ezra Klein, "Last week, when CNN asked House Speaker John Boehner whom Mitt Romney, the likely GOP presidential nominee, should choose as his vice presidential running mate, he named Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Daniels and Portman served as budget directors in the Bush White House. Perhaps more surprising, a variety of big-name Republicans have openly yearned for Jeb Bush to get the nod — and before that, to run for the nomination itself.

"Meanwhile, Romney’s campaign staff is thick with Bush administration veterans. Two of his economic advisers — N. Greg Mankiw and Glenn Hubbard — served as chief economists for Bush. His policy director, Lanhee Chen, worked on health policy in the Bush White House."

Yeah, let's get Bush economic advisers back in the White House, because that worked out so awesome the last time.

Still, this should finally end the question as to whether Mittens is a "real" conservative. And not just because he seems to be running for Dubya's third term. See, when a real conservative starts talking about change, they mean they want to change things back to the way they used to be when they sucked -- e.g., the War on Women that would send women's rights back to the fifties.

On that score, Romney seems to be as real a conservative as possible. (Washington Post)


-Listen to the lady-



She's right on the money. (McClatchy)


-Bonus HotD-
"Romney’s Openly-Gay Spokesperson Resigns After Facing Pressure From Anti-Gay Right Wing."

More evidence that Mitt's a real conservative -- he's way too responsive to bigots. (ThinkProgress)

Stories to Watch: 10/20/11

OK, better late than never. Now here's the news...


Sen. Lindsey Graham wants to spend a big ol' pot of money on infrastructure -- Libya's infrastructure. America, on the other hand, can go screw herself.


More Republicans come out with the bizarre argument that President Obama didn't win Libya right. Mitt Romney looks especially stupid on that point.


Marco Rubio's story about being the son of Cuban exiles turns out to be bullshit.


Herman Cain comes out as pro-choice. Everyone's pretending to be confused over the fact that he personally opposes abortion, yet says the government has no business making that decision for people. I'm sorry, he's saying he's pro-choice. The only thing I find confusing about this is all the confusion.


Louisiana has passed what may be the stupidest, most poorly thought out law in history.


Andrew Sullivan: "To rid the world of Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki and Moammar Qaddafi within six months: if Obama were a Republican, he'd be on Mount Rushmore by now."


Finally, the GOP's claims about what they laughably call their "jobs bill" are, quite frankly, insane.

Related articles

• Herman "Sanger" Cain: Pro-choice and gonna lose (americablog.com)
• GOP Sen. Marco Rubio's harrowing family immigrant story that never happened (americablog.com)
• Santorum labels Cain 'pro-choice,' Cain rebuts (politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com)

News Roundup for 10/20/11

Was killed wrong

-Headline of the Day-
"The GOP's 'Thank America Last' crowd."

Moomer Qadaffy's dead. Yay! Everyone's celebrating, even the GOP. Tea Party darling Sen. Marco Rubio went on Fox News to give credit where credit was due.

"Today's not a day to point fingers," Marco said. "I'm glad it's all working out. Ultimately this is about the freedom and liberty of the Libyan people. But let's give credit where credit is due: it's the French and the British that led in this fight, and probably even led on the strike that led to Gadhafi's capture, and, or, you know, to his death."

"So, that's the first thing," he went on. "The second thing is, you know, I criticize the president, for, he did the right things, he just took too long to do it and didn't do enough of it."

Wait, I thought "today's not a day to point fingers." Oh well, whatever. What's really important is the flag-humping Marco offers thanks to the people who deserve it -- the French, who I guess 'baggers no longer hate.

"In the mind of this rising Republican star, the American military that helped drive Gadhafi's regime from power deserves no credit at all," writes Steve Benen. "Marco Rubio is comfortable crediting the French, but not American men and women in uniform."

Well yeah. If you start giving credit to the men and women in America's fighting forces, you're going to wind up having to give Obama credit -- and who wants that? It'd totally undermine Rubio's argument that Khaadoffi wasn't killed right.

Not to be left out in the cold with the troops, Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham -- America's only conjoined twin senators -- issued a statement congratulating "British, French, and other allies, as well as our Arab partners, especially Qatar and the UAE" for Ghadfaffle's death. It was just too bad "this success was so long in coming due to the failure of the United States to employ the full weight of our airpower." Once again, Obama didn't kill Kgaqffk right, so no thanks for you, American fighting person. You won the war wrong!

So, to sum up the GOP's response to Ghqkkff's death: "Suck it, troops." (Political Animal)


-Cartoon time with Mark Fiore-
"Hey kids, Dogboy and Mr. Dan are back -- Yay! -- and they're in a cartoon coincidentally called...


Click for animation

Conservatives have weird ideas about gratitude. (MarkFiore.com)


-Bonus HotD-
"Trump upset Gadhafi killed before U.S. got Libya's oil."

I mean, just because the oil's under their dirt doesn't mean it's the Libyans' oil. (Raw Story))