The White House and congressional Democrats are finally coming together to form a war room of sorts to combat GOP immigration initiatives. They're calling it a rapid response "immigration strike team." From Ed O'Keefe at
the Washington Post:
The goal, according to several congressional aides familiar with the plans, is to ensure that lawmakers and administration officials are more closely coordinating talking points and media appearances and using all outlets at their disposal to highlight incendiary comments or controversial legislation introduced by Republicans.
Who knew it would take totally losing control of Congress for Democrats to stoke a little urgency around communicating with each other? Better late than never, I guess. And better for them to take aim at a common enemy rather than each other.
It comes as many congressional Democrats blame Obama for the party's large midterm election losses. In response, the White House has stepped out its outreach to members through phone calls, in-person meetings--even doling out seats on Air Force One as chits to build good will.
True, President Obama hasn't always been the warmest and fuzziest with congressional Democrats. But there's enough to blame to go around for the midterms—at least where immigration is concerned, Senate Democrats have no one to blame but themselves. After all, it was their crack team that
urged the president not to act on the very same immigration initiatives that have now sent his
approval ratings soaring with Latinos. Wonder if that spike might have helped Sen. Mark Udall in Colorado, not mention overall turnout among the Democratic base.
Time to turn over a new leaf in 2015. Communication's a good start. And how about Democrats stop fearing Democratic issues. Remember those, the ones that won at the ballot box.