RAHM: IMMIGRATION REFORM STILL LACKING NEEDED VOTES

From Lynn Sweet at the Chicago Tribune:

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) is among the small group of members of Congress meeting with President Obama Thursday afternoon to discuss immigration reform. Don't get your hopes up if you are tracking the issue. The meeting is happening, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) said Thursday morning at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast, because "the votes aren't there."

Rahm's management rule: When you have the votes, you don't need a meeting.

Comments

[gg]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/25/AR2009062501914_2.html?hpid=moreheadlines

( Conflicting reports )

[beppe]

Meeting is a starting point, and remember the past, CIR was done deal and look what happened, better to be pessimistic and see the next chapter...

[Another voice]

I think Rham has the votes but wants 60+ in the Senate and a solid majority on the house to protect the majorities in both houses of congress. After all they are having meetings for Health care, Energy and all other big items on their agenda, so maybe Rham's rule applies to all items.

[AD]

Why does Rahm think so when many others think otherwise? Does Reid and Guitierrez know more about whether they have votes than the C O S? Wasnt Rahm the one who said, there is no hurry for CIR? Such statements or actions only show that Dems do not have to do anything because GOP is rife with moral hypocrites and folks who pander to racism.

I would love Cornyn to change his position and challenge Rahm, Obama & Mccain not to do CIR. This is a great opportunity for Cornyn because he is the only one left with out any stains, hoping that he does not have any unknown now

[D]

I guess Rahm wants 70+ votes to make this a non issue in next elections . I guess he wants to eat the cake as well have it too :)

[st]

If Rahm Emanuel is saying they don't have the votes, then we can kiss CIR goodbye, for a very long time.