This @DouthatNYT column urges Biden to accept an immigration deal with Republicans. But the piece largely erases GOP agency, not engaging with the ways the GOP itself is an obstacle to any deal. 1/
nytimes.com/2023/12/09/opi…
Rs want to gut Biden’s parole programs. But these provide an orderly alternative to seeking asylum at the border. Conservatives who want a deal should admit this demand is extreme and unreasonable. 2/
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/…
Rs want to give POTUS authority (i.e. Trump 2025) to end asylum. We all know Stephen Miller/MAGA are *the* obstacle to any deal that doesn’t slash legal immigration. Look at these demands! 3/
politico.com/news/2023/12/0…
.@DouthatNYT cites a new paper to argue higher migration makes voters more conservative. He says the issue declined in salience during the Trump years (because he slowed migration), helping Biden win in 2020. I want to suggest a complicating factor.
First, here's Douthat: 4/
@DouthatNYT President Trump's polling on immigration was awful even when another crisis made the issue salient. Contra @DouthatNYT, here's my explanation for how it plays for voters: 5/
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/…
I don't claim the issue is good for Dems. It does hurt, especially now. But why did many leading restrictionist candidates lose in 2022? Yes, abortion, but still, those writing on this issue should engage w/the fact that it often isn't *that much* of a silver bullet for Rs. 6/
What does it mean that all eight senators in the key southwest states (AZ NV NM CO), ones where immigration is a big issue, now caucus with Dems, after Biden won all four in 2020?
It’s time to stop using 2016 as the only touchstone here. 7/
Biden’s $ ask = billions in border security, more detention, faster asylum processing, which Rs should like. Yes, Biden should want a deal. But Ds agree! They too want something done! 8/
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/…
I’ll go further: Ds should make more concessions. A real compromise is available. To those who demand Ds act on the issue: Do you see something like this below as acceptable? 9/9
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/…
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