| White House |
| Obama was all hat, no cattle in Texas this afternoon. |
Barack Obama delivered a speech on immigration this afternoon in Texas, focusing on what comprehensive immigration reform must look like if it ever passes.
Then, as if aiming to prove the entire address a charade, Obama called on the American public to push Congress into action.
"When an issue is this complex and raises such strong feelings, it's easier for politicians to defer the problem until after the next election," Obama declared in El Paso. "And there's always a next election. So we've seen a lot blame and politics and ugly rhetoric. We've seen good faith efforts -- from leaders of both parties -- fall prey to the usual Washington games. And all the while, we've seen the mounting consequences of decades of inaction."
All that's needed, he followed, is for the American public to take the initiative on the issue and pepper their congressmen until legislation passes -- an idea as empty and insulting as any Obama has floated.
"We're going to keep up the fight for reform," Obama said. "And that's where you come in. I will do my part to lead a constructive and civil debate on these issues. We've already held a series of meetings about this at the White House in recent weeks. And we've got leaders here and around the country helping to move the debate forward. But this change has to be driven by you -- to help us push for comprehensive reform, and to identify what steps we can take right now -- like the Dream Act and visa reform - areas where we can find common ground among Democrats and Republicans to begin fixing what's broken."
Immigration activists have been critical of Barack Obama from the start of his presidency, as the president has yet to deliver any legislation on immigration. During his first State of the Union address, Obama uttered 38 bland words on immigration, and he didn't say much more in his second this year.
Today, he declared five times that the system is broken and needs fixing, then said "his part" on the issue involves holding a meeting or two at the White House, which we've covered and called out as farces, while giving the occasional speech.
The president has barely lifted a finger on immigration reform yet he has the audacity to call on activists to do his job for him.
Obama blasts politicians who prefer to leave immigration for the next election, then essentially declares that he will do the same. If the president were being honest with the American public he would say, "Look. Immigration reform is hyper-controversial. Republicans are against any bills that don't involve deporting every immigrant who entered this country illegally or overstayed their visa. It's impossible to pass legislation with the current mood in America. Besides, I would like to be re-elected. Discúlpame."
