Top story: Sen. Marco Rubio doesn’t want anyone who’s not him spiking the ball on comprehensive immigration reform—even as Gallup says that the biggest “brand” problem for the GOP is a failure to compromise.
- People were genuinely happy with word senators had resolved “every major policy issue” on comprehensive immigration reform. And then Rubio rained on everyone’s parade, saying “Reports that the bipartisan group of eight senators have agreed on legislative proposal are premature.” (The Hill)
- That statement came a day after a much longer one, telling Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, there needed to be “meaningful hearings.” Yes, “meaningful hearings,” a phrase we assume comes from the same list as “jumbo shrimp” and “definite maybe.” (Sen. Marco Rubio)
- “Leahy, who never enjoys being told how to run his committee, being urged by Rubio to hold 'fresh hearings' on Gang of Eight's bill.” (Manu Raju)
- This all happens as Americans tell Gallup that their top complaint about Republicans is that they’re “unwilling to compromise.” (Gallup)
- “In the end, Rubio has to be able to say to conservatives something along these lines: ‘I fought with Democrats.’” (The Fix)
- “Make no mistake: Rubio is the diff b/w the Senate legislation getting 75 votes vs. 60—and 75 votes is impt to pressure Boehner/House GOP” (Mark Murray)
- “Those who have griped the loudest about the immigration problem have always been short on solutions.” (The New York Times)
- “Chamber of Commerce's Randy Johnson says immigration plan ‘is a structure we can move forward with.’” (Chad Pergram)