Obama On Arizona: Presidents Don't Do Boycotts

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama says the decision to boycott Arizona over its tough new law cracking down on immigration is for private citizens to decide, not the president of the United States.

Speaking at a White House news conference, Obama said he doesn't approve or oppose the boycotts that some cities and groups have called for in response to the Arizona law, which makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. (Read more at link below)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/27/obama-boycott-arizona-imm_n_592249.html

Boycotts are for those who have no other means to influence change.

I just dont like how the article says its now a " State law to be in the country illegally". Isnt that already a crime under Federal law?

Maybe he's suggesting its foolish for a state to think it can make such a law and that only the federal government can do it.

But, you're correct. It is already a crime under federal law. In fact, supposedly, the state law looks quite a bit like the federal law. I think Arizona was trying to be a bit cute on that. Like, how can they complain about a law that looks like the federal law.

But, I also think its the right position for a president to take.

LBJ could pressure states 6 ways from Sunday before Obama could issue a call for bipartisanship.

I dont think you want to be bringing him up.

He also remembered where he came from and who elected him.

One of those was more than enough.

to them about commies. The rabid right was limited to a few southern states and with MLK showing just how rabid the right wing were about stuff like civil rights or the right to vote. In todays politics the R's are rabid in every state, trying to one up each other on Dem bashing. What LBJ got away with would not have happened today, another thing LBJ never had to deal with is the Blue Dogs. The Blue dogs started after Reagan was elected and liberals got shoved to the side because of public opinion that Reagan stirred up with his hate speeches.

The world LBJ lived in died the day America elected Richard M Nixon and the pro war assholes turned to religion after Nixon was forced to pull the troops out. That was also a time in American history when the people could trust the news to give them the story behind the head lines instead of the crap that passes for news today.

He's said he's against the law, that's about all he's able to do about it at this point.
A president boycotting a state would set a pretty screwed up precedent.