Immigration Debate

by digby

Blitzer: Driver’s licenses! Yes or No!

Obama: It’s not so simple. We need comprehensive immigration reform and I think …

Blitzer: Yes or no! What about the driver’s licenses?!

Richardson: The congress has failed to act. It’s a matter of public safety…

Blitzer: Yes or no! Yes or no! Yes or no!

Edwards: It’s a complicated problem…

Blitzer: Huh? Driver’s licenses! Yes or No!

Kucinich: There is no such thing as an illegal human being. I would repeal Nafta.

Blitzer: NAFTA??? WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING??? DRIVER’S LICENSES! YES OR NO!!!

Biden: No

* Not a real transcript. More of an impressionistic collage.

Blitzer refused to let any of them explain their positions on immigration but rather insisted on this ridiculous, parochial question about driver’s licenses as if the fate of the world depended on getting a yes or no answer. He particularly dogged Obama who has a nuanced and reasonable position that requires explication, just as Russert did to Hillary Clinton last week on the same stupid topic. (She just caved, which is being touted by the gasbags as a very savvy move.)

Only bumper sticker slogans are allowed in American politic, which explains why George W. Bush has been president for seven long years.