Tune In, Turn Off, Turnout

Remember the decision by the White House to punt on immigration reform until after the midterm elections in order to save the Senate seats of some conservaDems?  How's that working out for us?

Some Democrats think the party hasn't done enough to pep up the groups that form its main pillars of support. Veteran Democratic pollster Celinda Lake told The Hill last week that Hispanic voters would largely be unmotivated to vote in this year's elections due to President Obama's decision to delay an executive action on immigration. 

“I think if we'd done something, it would have energized the Latino vote and drawn a clear distinction with the Republicans," Lake said.

In Arkansas, Republican Cotton is leading Sen. Mark Pryor by 3.

In Louisiana, Republican Cassidy is leading Sen. Mary Landrieu by 5.

In Iowa, Republican Ernst is leading Rep. Bruce Braley by 4.

In Alaska, Republican Sullivan is leading Sen. Mark Begich by 4.

In Colorado, Republican Gardner is leading Sen. Mark Udall by 1.

Would a more energized Hispanic voting bloc be closing the gap in some or all of those States? Judging from Pew's tabulations below, it might be a difference maker in Colorado and Alaska, possibly even Arkansas and Louisiana.

Like all midterm elections, this one is all about turnout;  getting your base voter to the polls was never going to be a problem for low-information/ high-rage right-wing Republicans.  They'd be motivated whether or not the President took executive action on immigration. But how are Democrats motivating a  key part of their base -- Hispanic voters -- except to give them reasons to stay away from the polls?  Now, even if the Hispanic vote isn't determinative in all those States, having the guts to fight for what you believe is right has the bonus effect of putting you in the best political light as well.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could start this election season over again and not get into the usual Democrat Fearful Defensive Crouch?

Immigration Reform: Muy Importante!

Steven Colbert takes on the long delay in passing immigration reform, and why it will maybe definitely probably be law next year, because... muy importante! (after the muy importante ad):

The Colbert Report
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Where are your cojones, indeed.

Obama Delays Executive Action On Immigration

President Obama, feeling the pressure to do what he can to save the prospects of some conservaDems in the South and elsewhere, has decided to delay any executive action on immigration until after the November mid-term elections:

The decision is a reversal of Mr. Obama’s vow to issue broad directives to overhaul the immigration system soon after summer’s end, and sparked swift anger from immigration advocates. The president made the promise on June 30, standing in the Rose Garden, where he angrily denounced Republican obstruction and said he would use the power of his office to protect immigrant families from the threat of deportation. 

Today:

“Because of the Republicans’ extreme politicization of this issue, the president believes it would be harmful to the policy itself and to the long-term prospects for comprehensive immigration reform to announce administrative action before the elections,” a White House official said. “Because he wants to do this in a way that’s sustainable, the president will take action on immigration before the end of the year.”

Who are these conservaDems the President wants to help, even at the expense of doing the right thing for millions of immigrant families?  Jon Stewart gives you a peek (at about 1:30) of who Obama's fighting for, even as they dis him.   Hey, we like Alison Lundergan Grimes and, for that matter, almost (almost) any Democrat over a Republican.  But, endlessly favoring short-term political calculation over taking a principled stand (and we're looking at these Democratic Senate candidates just as much or more as we are the President) is not leadership.

But, if you want short-term political calculation, try this:  to the extent the President's further alienated the immigration reform community while maybe marginally helping a few conservaDems, this looks like a lose/lose proposition  to us.

BONUS:  Charles P. Pierce has his usual pithy read about Obama's decision.