I have considered the two issues as a items on a Liberal wish list that Obama is just using as distractions. Both issues stirs up a hornets nest, so the big O gets cover, even if both issues die. Obama wins if any parts of these issues are passed in his favor. Politically, the best way to handle this, IMO, is for Boehner to declare immigration reform is dead until such and such time.
“I have considered the two issues as a items on a Liberal wish list that Obama is just using as distractions. Both issues stirs up a hornets nest, so the big O gets cover, even if both issues die. Obama wins if any parts of these issues are passed in his favor. Politically, the best way to handle this, IMO, is for Boehner to declare immigration reform is dead until such and such time.”
I agree, but only to a point. Remember the visceral anger on Obama’s face when the senate voted down gun control? He’d never been so angry in public. I think that was a genuine blow. And also, as he has said, if the Congress fails to act, then he will. Well, what comes with that is responsibility, sole responsibility, which we all know Obama hates and avoids.
Losing two big issues after just getting reelected will not bode well for the rest of his term. He will look weak and that weakness will express itself in lost clout and influence on congressmen and senators, who will think to themselves “this guy’s gone soon while I want to stay here for a while. I’d better vote for my own interest and not his.” So goes the political cycle, which Obama thinks he’s immune from because he thinks himself “kind of a God.”