[bppstorr]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/us...governors.html

Governors Voice Grave Concerns on Immigration

By ABBY GOODNOUGH
Published: July 11, 2010

BOSTON — In a private meeting with White House officials this weekend, Democratic governors voiced deep anxiety about the Obama administration’s suit against Arizona’s new immigration law, worrying that it could cost a vulnerable Democratic Party in the fall elections.

While the weak economy dominated the official agenda at the summer meeting here of the National Governors Association, concern over immigration policy pervaded the closed-door session between Democratic governors and White House officials and simmered throughout the three-day event.

At the Democrats’ meeting on Saturday, some governors bemoaned the timing of the Justice Department lawsuit, according to two governors who spoke anonymously because the discussion was private.

“Universally the governors are saying, ‘We’ve got to talk about jobs,’ ” Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee, a Democrat, said in an interview. “And all of a sudden we have immigration going on.”

He added, “It is such a toxic subject, such an important time for Democrats.”

The administration seemed to be taking a carrot-and-stick approach on Sunday. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, in town to give the governors a classified national security briefing, met one-on-one with Jan Brewer, the Republican who succeeded her as governor of Arizona and ardently supports the immigration law.

About the same time as that meeting, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. said on a taped Sunday talk show that the Justice Department could bring yet another lawsuit against Arizona if there is evidence that the immigration law leads to racial profiling.

[avaiguite]

Yes, immigration is an issue that must be addressed. Both the Republicans and Democrats have acknowledged this. Bills have been offered in the past. Pres. Bush and Pres. Obama have both wanted immigration reform, and guess what? Congress has not acted. No president can act alone in passing immigration reform. If governors want action, put pressure on Congress to pass legislation, to fund programs already on the books. Individual states writing federal law is not the answer.

If the Republicans are truly committed to "protecting our borders," then let's see them put their money where their mouths are. Money talks, bull**** walks. It seems all the GOP cares about is preventing Pres. Obama from getting anything done in order to strengthen the GOP position in the midterms and in 2012. Is this any way to run our country? I don't think so.