BloggeRhythms

Still quite early in the game, many politico's are gearing up for their expected presidential runs in 2016. One of them, Jeb Bush, has begun setting the stage for an important campaign issue of his: immigration reform.

On washingtonpost.com, Philip Rucker reports that in a speech in San Francisco yesterday, “Bush drew loud and sustained applause when he called for immigration reform that would provide a path to legalized status for undocumented immigrants living in the United States."

What was most interesting, as is quite often the case, were some of the comments following the article. Because they reveal the thoughts and concerns of many intelligent and well-versed readers. Today, one of them wrote about a very common opinion among “conservative” Republicans.   

DanDaily1 opined about Mr. Rucker’s writing that, “Bush drew loud and sustained applause when he called for immigration reform that would provide a path to legalized status for undocumented immigrants living in the United States."

Mr. Daily’s conclusion was that, Bush’s statement, “Is doublespeak for "we like obama's immigration policy. That did it for me, I'll not support another RINO Bush!”

However, Mr. Daily either didn't continue reading after the first sentence of Mr. Bush’s immigration position, or didn't grasp the intention. Because, Mr. Bush then said, “We have a history of allowing people to come in legally to embrace our values and pursue their dreams in a way that creates prosperity for all of us. No country can do this like America. Our national identity is not based on race or some kind of exclusionary belief. Historically, the unwritten contract has been, come legally to our country, embrace our values, learn English, work and you can be as American as anyone else.”

Therefore, Mr. Bush certainly realizes that immigration isn't an open door policy, which the current president fosters, but needs to be changed to enforce rules and regulations which are presently being ignored and over-ridden. And since that should be the case for any president, it doesn’t make Mr. Bush a RINO, it simply makes him an intelligent and realistic candidate.

Moving on, according to foxnews.com, the president still “stood by” Josh Earnest’s earlier explanation that he should not meet with his Israeli counterpart when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes here next month to address the House. Because “This administration goes to great lengths to ensure that we don’t give even the appearance of interfering or attempting to influence the outcome” of democratic elections abroad.

However, “the Obama administration reportedly is fuming over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to address Congress in March regarding the Iranian threat, with one unnamed official telling an Israeli newspaper he will pay “a price” for the snub.

In this case, anyone closely following the evolution of the president’s disclosing his dislike for Israel, and seemingly especial distaste for Mr. Netanyahu, would certainly not be surprised at this latest happening. As far back as March 2010  Adrian Blomfield in Jerusalem reported in telegraph.co.uk that “Benjamin Netanyahu was left to stew in a White House meeting room for over an hour after President Barack Obama abruptly walked out of tense talks to have supper with his family, it emerged on Thursday.”

And, that “snub marked a fresh low in US-Israeli relations and appeared designed to show Mr Netanyahu how low his stock had fallen in Washington after he refused to back down in a row over Jewish construction in east Jerusalem.”

Which means that Mr. Netanyahu certainly recognizes that the best chance his nation has to preserve its long-standing close relationship with the US is to maintain his ties in Congress. Because, the current administration isn't likely to cooperate at all.

And finally for today, on Friday’s “Special Report” on the Fox News Channel, “[Charles] Krauthammer was asked by fellow panelist Steve Hayes how he would allocate his money if he was given $100 to go Las Vegas and bet on who will be the nominee. Krauthammer put the most money, $40 on Rubio, with $30 going to Jeb Bush, $15 to Scott Walker, and the remaining $15 on booze.”

Mr. Krauthammer added that, “he’s [Rubio] my underestimated dark horse candidate who threads his way, young, energetic. He’s got a program and I think if he runs against Hillary, the contrasts say the vigor, the energy that Kennedy-esque idea will be a major one.”

In this case, while Mr. Krauthammer’s highly respected as a political scholar and analyst, hopefully he’ll give his conclusion some more serious thought. Because, regardless of Rubio’s apparent assets, the nation can’t rebuild in a timely manner should another inexperienced senator wind up in the White House, regardless of how attractive his platform may sound. As we all well know by now, presidential quality administrative capability simply isn't something one can gain on the job. 

That’s it for today folks.

Adios