Senior Official: Obama Administration Will Challenge Arizona Immigration Law

[kpete]

Source: CBS NEWS

As Hotsheet reported yesterday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a television interview in Ecuador this month that the Obama Justice Department "will be bringing a lawsuit" against the controversial Arizona immigration measure signed into law earlier this year.

The comment was striking because both President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder had said only that the administration was considering a suit. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, who signed the law, called Clinton's comments stunning and added that "to learn of this lawsuit through an Ecuadorean interview with the secretary of state is just outrageous." She has said in the past she is prepared for a court fight.

It was unclear yesterday whether Clinton's comments were simply a prediction or mistake or whether instead she was getting ahead of a planned announcement by the administration.

Now a senior administration official tells CBS News that the federal government will indeed formally challenge the law when Justice Department lawyers are finished building the case. The official said Justice is still working on building the case.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20008171-503544.html

[LWolf]

1. I hope it's true. nt

[elleng]

2. Probably is.

BIG Constitutional matter at issue.

[Xipe Totec]

3. This is a trial baloon

They want to float it and check public reaction before deciding whether to proceed or not.

It's up to US now.

[Jefferson23]

4. 5 Stars for Obama, the right legal move to make and politically smart.

The GOP is going to regret this move, and Obama will sweep away with more votes in his corner from the constituents who are
appalled at this law.

I know, I have read the polls claiming large percentage of Americans allegedly support the AZ law, but I don't buy it.

The Republicans have declared themselves, enough so anyway, they are sympathetic to BP, the Dems have a huge opportunity here,
I hope they take full advantage of it.

Democratic surrogates, get out there and be prepared to define what we stand for....please!

[TomCADem]

5. Not Sure It Is The Right Political Move Given The Widespread Racism, But It Is The Right Thing

In California, some cities are passing "rule of law" ordinances, which are just open appeals to racism, and which undermine the ability of local law enforcement to perform their core duties.

[Jefferson23]

6. That is awful to hear, and another reason why Obama's surrogates and the Democrats need

to get their message out and be clear about it.

[Big_Mike]

7. My problem is the method used to announce it

Why wasn't Holder in front of the camera declaring his action instead of the freaking Secretary of State making the announcement in Equador????

If you have an issue with someone, you announce it to them, not to a newscaster in a foreign land.

Another amateur hour production by the clowns in D.C.

[Bluebear]

8. It's Obama's duty to enforce the Law Of The Land. This will be a slippery slope.

The President is not supposed to influence legislation. He can only sign or veto bills but besides that his hands are tied. At least that is what I am told about DADT.