Is Obama's Arizona suit 'toxic' for Dems?
Some Democratic governors think the White House's battle over Arizona's immigration law will cripple the party in this fall's midterm elections
At a private White House meeting this weekend, a group of Democratic governors expressed "deep anxiety" about the Obama administration's lawsuit against Arizona's new immigration law and its effects on the November election. "It is such a toxic subject," Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen tells The New York Times. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, however, says the suit "makes sense" policy-wise, and will help Democrats win over Latino voters. With a majority of Americans in support of the Arizona law, should the Obama administration have waited until after November to put forth a challenge? (Watch a Fox discussion about Arizona and the 2010 elections)
Obama has dropped the ball on this one: "The White House is clearly on the wrong side of this issue," says Doug Mataconis in Outside the Beltway. While the Arizona law "may very well be unconstitutional," polls have repeatedly shown that "a large majority of Americans" support it. Obama has treated the issue "as an academic debate without political consequence," whilst failing to put forward "any real immigration policy" of his own. Sorry, Mr. President, but "that strategy isn't going to work."
"Democratic governors warn White House on immigration"
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Shouldn't he be focused on creating jobs? Obviously, the administration "is working on its own agenda," says Clifton B in Another Black Conservative. And that agenda "has nothing to do with what is actually going on with the nation." Jobs, the economy, the ballooning national debt — all these issues "are crying out for attention." But Obama insists "on creating everlasting leftwing change," even if it hurts his own party. Goodbye, Democrats.
"Democratic governors find the administration's immigration lawsuit 'toxic'"
Far-sighted: "In the long run," says Seyward Darby in The New Republic, "Democrats could stand to gain from the immigration issue." Latinos are becoming "an ever larger share of the electorate," and solidifying their support for the Democrats is important. But for now, with the midterm election right around the corner, the "governors are right to be worried."
"Why Democratic governors are (rightly) scared of Obama's stance on immigration"
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A free speech debate is raging over sign language at the White HouseTalking Points The administration has been accused of excluding deaf Americans from press briefings
-
Glinda vs. Elphaba, Jennifer Lawrence vs. postpartum depression and wilderness vs. progress in November moviesthe week recommends This month’s new releases include ‘Wicked: For Good,’ ‘Die My Love’ and ‘Train Dreams’
-
‘The problem isn’t creation itself’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Has Zohran Mamdani shown the Democrats how to win again?Today’s Big Question New York City mayoral election touted as victory for left-wing populists but moderate centrist wins elsewhere present more complex path for Democratic Party
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
-
Ghislaine Maxwell: angling for a Trump pardonTalking Point Convicted sex trafficker's testimony could shed new light on president's links to Jeffrey Epstein
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidentsThe Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are US billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration