The dust is just beginning to settle on President Barack Obama's new immigration initiative, but the political dust-up is only just beginning.
Obama announced Friday a policy that will allow undocumented immigrants 30 or younger who came to this country when they were 16 or younger a chance to stay. Those eligible can apply for a renewable two-year period for work authorization and deferral of any deportation actions against them.
Those who meet that criteria may apply for a status that would keep them from being deported as long as they haven't been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor and aren't considered a threat to national security.
At least in the first blush of reaction to the president's move, it would appear to be politically brilliant. Common wisdom has it that any Republican presidential candidate must carry at least 40 percent of the Latino vote. Mitt Romney wasn't polling close to that before Friday, and now faces an even stronger headwind.
A poll by Latino Decisions published Sunday said 49 percent of Latinos support Obama's re-election more enthusiastically because of the order. A Bloomberg poll conducted after Friday showed that two-thirds of all Americans support Obama's initiative.
There are 15 million more Latinos in the United States now than in 2000, and 20 percent of them live in five swing states that could decide the election in November _ North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Colorado and Nevada.
Romney is scheduled to speak today to the annual conference of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. It will be interesting to see if he will bring up some of the statements on immigration he made during the Republican primaries while courting the far right elements of his party.
Will he repeat his answer to the problem of up to 13 million undocumented immigrants in this country, or will he skip all that "self-deportation" stuff? Will he still insist he would veto a "Dream Act" bill with a path to citizenship if passed by Congress?
Obama, who will speak to the same group Friday, is more likely to receive a warm welcome. We hope he will talk about what he called in his Friday announcement "the right thing to do."
The president must come forward with a long-range solution to deal with those who don't fall under the guidelines of his plan. But there is only so much a president can do. Congress, where Republicans have resisted the Dream Act, is where real progress must emerge.
Perhaps Latinos flexing their political muscle for Obama's re-election will be the only thing that can persuade Congress that meaningful immigration reform is "the right thing to do."
Opinion
Obama plan transcends political advantage
- Opinion
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure Blodgett project holds water
Many thanks to Dennis Finn and the Planning Commission for allowing unrestricted public comment on the Blodgett Drive housing project at the commission’s May 15 meeting. Most who spoke are residents of the area who know the safety and drainage issues well.
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We need a law against Google Glass
It’s a technological marvel; a product ahead of its time, or at least ahead of the law for the time being, that is.
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
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No foreign aid until our needs are met
I couldn't agree more with Sal Furnari's letter published in the Weekend edition. I would also like to add that when I was growing up I was taught to "take care of my own first" and then share with others.
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THIS WEEK'S POLL
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It's sad to see Rich Murphy retire
It was a sad day for Otsego County when Rich Murphy announced his intention to retire from the county board at the end of his current term.
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Liberal media only care about themselves
Sounds like it all depends on 'whose ox is being gored' when it comes to the illegal phone tappings of reporters.
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Street Talk: May 20, 2013
Do you think that recent high school graduates have a harder time finding a job than previous generations?
- Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
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Public financing could cure pols' paranoia
Paranoia is an irrational fear of persons, places or events that have no basis in reality.
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Resort proposal is just too big
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is a New York state taxpayer-owned recreational area. People who have paid for BMSC with their hard-earned dollars should not have to also pay for the infrastructure necessary to assure an enjoyable ski experience for the visitors to a private developer's monster mega-mall/spa resort on a mountaintop.
- Friday, May 17, 2013
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Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
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Redistributing wealth just isn't fair
Yesterday a dozen of us were eating lunch in the break room where I work, most of us complaining that all we could afford was peanut butter and jelly and bologna ... except for Rob.
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Hoping many will adopt a grave
It's that time of year again; adopt a grave. I am hoping when you buy flowers or a plant for a family member or friend's grave that you will buy some for another grave. I wish everyone would open up their heart and honor someone else by putting flowers on their grave. My hope is that groups, families and youth groups adopt a cemetery or a grave, and at least once a year that person or persons will be remembered. I started out with two and now am up to 14. It doesn't have to be expensive; just what your heart tells you to do.
- Thursday, May 16, 2013
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IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
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Blame Dems for Social Security woes
In his inaugural address President Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'
- Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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After 40 years, it was time to get married
This newspaper publishes lots of wedding announcements, but one that appeared prominently in Monday's edition was especially heartwarming.
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Newman housing would benefit city
I would like to comment on the excellent letter written recently by Alan Cleinman concerning the "Newman Development."
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Paying what you can afford won't work
Our president said:
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On our Opinion: Cheers
