2024 Presidential Election Thread

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think you're misreading things. I don't see a lot of people asserting there is no problem at the border. Biden deserves scrutiny but if that is someone's primary blame target I think they lack context.
Bothsidesism doesn't always apply. In fact, there seems to be increasingly more situations where that is less helpful.

Bothsideism? WTH are you talking about?

We are simply saying that there is a massive crisis with the border right now (this is indisputable) and it is a political weakness for Biden and if he doesn't step it up and show stronger leadership it could become a serious election year issue. In response to that we get a ton of excuses (it isn't really his fault, voters don't care that much, it is trump's fault, it is the republicans' fault, etc). I hope the Biden campaign team isn't crazy enough to trot out a set of lame excuses like that.

Here is some recent polling data (from December):

https://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...st-month-poll/

President Biden’s approval rating on immigration dropped 8 points since last month, new polling shows.

Just 38 percent of registered voters in a new Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll, shared with The Hill, said they approved of Biden’s handling of immigration this month, down from 46 percent who said the same in November.

“Based on the polling on immigration, this is one of the key issues dragging down the president’s reputation, and he needs to make progress on this issue or face increasing consequences,” said Mark Penn, chairman of the Harvard CAPS-Harris poll.

But as Biden sees a drop in approval on the topic, voters also rank immigration among the most important problems facing the country.

He needs to get out in front of this ASAP. Give it the resources it deserves. Tighten up asylum rules, etc.

[LVAllen]

Bothsideism? WTH are you talking about?

We are simply saying that there is a massive crisis with the border right now (this is indisputable) and it is a political weakness for Biden and if he doesn't step it up and show stronger leadership it could become a serious election year issue. In response to that we get a ton of excuses (it isn't really his fault, voters don't care that much, it is trump's fault, it is the republicans' fault, etc). I hope the Biden campaign team isn't crazy enough to trot out a set of lame excuses like that.

Here is some recent polling data (from December):

https://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...st-month-poll/



He needs to get out in front of this ASAP. Give it the resources it deserves. Tighten up asylum rules, etc.

So essentially keeping the Trump-era immigration policies in place is no longer enough? He has to go even farther to the anti-immigration side for Republicans to think he's doing enough?

There is a crisis at the border, sure. But it has only a tangential link to immigration.

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What happens when a state defies the federal government and a Supreme Court order on the issue? Where does that sense of authority come from?

[Jeff Lebowski]

So essentially keeping the Trump-era immigration policies in place is no longer enough? He has to go even farther to the anti-immigration side for Republicans to think he's doing enough?

That's a really weird response.

Yeah, try running that line to the American people and see if that improves Biden's poll numbers.

There is a crisis at the border, sure. But it has only a tangential link to immigration.

What happens when a state defies the federal government and a Supreme Court order on the issue? Where does that sense of authority come from?

No idea where you are going with this.

[Maximus]

Bothsideism? WTH are you talking about?

We are simply saying that there is a massive crisis with the border right now (this is indisputable) and it is a political weakness for Biden and if he doesn't step it up and show stronger leadership it could become a serious election year issue. In response to that we get a ton of excuses (it isn't really his fault, voters don't care that much, it is trump's fault, it is the republicans' fault, etc). I hope the Biden campaign team isn't crazy enough to trot out a set of lame excuses like that.

Here is some recent polling data (from December):

https://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...st-month-poll/



He needs to get out in front of this ASAP. Give it the resources it deserves. Tighten up asylum rules, etc.

you are ignoring the facts on who is preventing a deal.

[Commando]

You guys can admit that there is a problem at the border without supporting Trump. It's a blind spot for most of you. Dismissive sarcasm isn't going to make the issue dissappear as important.

lol I don't know how many times a person can say that the system is broken before they are viewed as acknowledging a problem. To me, the border isn't the problem, it's just a very visible symptom. It's facile to scream about how the border is such a problem that needs to be addressed. It's like just funding more hankies for the guy who has a never-ending nosebleed. How about we haven't had any real laws passed touching immigration since the really shitty one we did in 96 that Clinton signed as an olive branch to Newt and company that made everything a lot worse here? It's funny to me how Congress has the nerve to bitch about the border and blame Joe Biden of all people. You want me to join the chorus of idiots before you'll take my voice seriously? The last thing I thought Congress would need to watch is old Schoolhouse Rock videos, but here we are...

[Commando]

He needs to get out in front of this ASAP. Give it the resources it deserves. Tighten up asylum rules, etc.

Tighten up asylum rules? What do you propose that wouldn't be a violation of our laws and international treaties?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Tighten up asylum rules? What do you propose that wouldn't be a violation of our laws and international treaties?

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01...luding-asylum/

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday said he backs “significant policy changes” to asylum law, amid ongoing immigration policy negotiations between the White House and Senate tied to passage of a global security package.

“I believe we need significant policy changes at the border, including changes in our asylum system, to ensure that we have the authority we need to control the border,” Biden said in remarks to mayors gathered at the White House. “I’m ready to act.”

It’s a stark contrast with the president’s campaign promise to “restore our moral standing in the world and our historic role as a safe haven for refugees and asylum-seekers,” as he said in his 2020 acceptance speech at the virtual Democratic National Convention.

But as the 2024 presidential election gets underway and increasing numbers of migrants claim asylum at the Southern border, Biden has taken a harder line approach on immigration, especially to free up aid to Ukraine.

He's finally ready to act!

[beefytee]

you are ignoring the facts on who is preventing a deal.

The reason he his ignoring it is because it doesn't really matter to the perception of the voter.

We aren't discussing who's to blame for immigration here, we're discussing what is going to persuade voters.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The reason he his ignoring it is because it doesn't really matter to the perception of the voter.

We aren't discussing who's to blame for immigration here, we're discussing what is going to persuade voters.

Mostly I am ignoring Maximus.

[LVAllen]

That's a really weird response.

Yeah, try running that line to the American people and see if that improves Biden's poll numbers.

I'm saying that insisting Biden take the hardest anti-immigration stance possible as the only way to "fix" immigration is a nonstarter, yet that is the position of the current GOP. It's not a reasonable thing to ask or expect. The only purpose of that stance is to attempt to keep immigration in the public eye.

When Thanksgiving or Christmas rolls around, and crowds at the local grocery store or Wal-Mart start causing delays, you know what Wal-Mart does? Opens more checkout lanes. Redirects staff to the bottleneck. Hires temporary staff to handle the surge. When universities receive a greater number of applications than anticipated, they don't just sit on their hands and expect a 5 person admissions committee to do double the work. They farm out some of it. They increase the size of the committee.

When Biden is trying to address noticed immigration surges or increased asylum requests at the border, what does he suggest? Increased asylum judges to process the applications. Increased funding and support. Funding for more agents, while addressing the bottlenecks in hiring at DHS. You know, actually addressing the problems that cause immigration to be an issue. But elected Republicans in general aren't interested in fixing problems, they are interested in keeping it in the news cycle.

And my point with Texas is pointing out that immigration is a sidecar on the motorcycle of insurrection driven by the current GOP. In more and more arenas, the GOP is demonstrating that holding onto power is their most important thing, even if it's at the cost of the republic itself. Abbott wouldn't defy the Court and the US government unless he thought he has substantial support among nationally elected Republicans and the presidential candidates.

[Moliere]

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/01...luding-asylum/



He's finally ready to act!

Must be an election year!

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm saying that insisting Biden take the hardest anti-immigration stance possible as the only way to "fix" immigration is a nonstarter, yet that is the position of the current GOP. It's not a reasonable thing to ask or expect. The only purpose of that stance is to attempt to keep immigration in the public eye.

When Thanksgiving or Christmas rolls around, and crowds at the local grocery store or Wal-Mart start causing delays, you know what Wal-Mart does? Opens more checkout lanes. Redirects staff to the bottleneck. Hires temporary staff to handle the surge. When universities receive a greater number of applications than anticipated, they don't just sit on their hands and expect a 5 person admissions committee to do double the work. They farm out some of it. They increase the size of the committee.

When Biden is trying to address noticed immigration surges or increased asylum requests at the border, what does he suggest? Increased asylum judges to process the applications. Increased funding and support. Funding for more agents, while addressing the bottlenecks in hiring at DHS. You know, actually addressing the problems that cause immigration to be an issue. But elected Republicans in general aren't interested in fixing problems, they are interested in keeping it in the news cycle.

And my point with Texas is pointing out that immigration is a sidecar on the motorcycle of insurrection driven by the current GOP. In more and more arenas, the GOP is demonstrating that holding onto power is their most important thing, even if it's at the cost of the republic itself. Abbott wouldn't defy the Court and the US government unless he thought he has substantial support among nationally elected Republicans and the presidential candidates.

Democratic mayors and governors are begging him to do more. His polling numbers on the issue are terrible over a broad swath of the voting public. Blaming republicans is a losing political strategy.

Man, I can't believe this is a controversial take.

[Maximus]

Mostly I am ignoring Maximus.

[Maximus]

Must be an election year!

darn biden for making those Rs hold this up. I cant believe Ds haven'tforced Rs to agree to immigration reform for 2 decades

[Bo Diddley]

I agree that immigration is a problem for Biden. It's an obvious blind spot he should have been pushing throughout in time sitting at the big desk. But, it's also an issue the GOP are playing up to take advantage of his weakness in an election year. I have no doubt that across the spectrum of voters, the dissatisfaction with Biden on immigration is affected by the GOP shenanigans.

But I also agree that immigration reform is something Congress has failed to address in a long time. Where should the blame lie for that failing?