"That is my take. Any negotiation, as any negotiator will tell you, is always easy until it is not. And the 'not' part of a negotiation usually happens sooner rather than later."
Why do I say that? As a former negotiator, I have been through many tough negotiations. None were easy nor high level. They were always down in the data and the nitty gritty. For sure, none ever took 55 minutes.
For a man who has as much negotiation experience under his belt as the President does, I was amazed to see the Occam's Razor approach used in this most difficult topic. If anything, a permanent fix on our immigration mess might be as tough to figure out as a fix for ObamaCare. Why? Just like ObamaCare, we have let the torting and twisting of our de facto immigration policy run deep within the roots of our society and culture.
Seeing this group of esteemed bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers get together to basically express opinions did nothing for me. Why? What was agreed to? A wall in exchange for the DACA fix? Really? And when the President said, "We might not need all the money right now", what did that mean? A half wall? A technology wall? What? And how will chain migration as well as the "lotto" program be part of this? The devil is ALWAYS in the details.
Speaking of which, the art of negotiation is not like the art of playing Liar's Poker. Negotiations are fraught with data and details. Lots and lots of them. And when agreement is reached on an important detail, it is then memorialized in some kind of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Why? Memories can be very short, and very "selective". Most negotiators have heard at some time in their career once a negotiation is over, "I don't remember it that way". With an important agreement memorialized, foggy memories are never an issue.
I am not saying yesterday's meeting was a complete waste of time. I will say it was only step one to solving a very complex issue. And if we can keep these butt headed Left Coast judges out of the mix by ordering injunctions, progress can be made. However, one caveat to the President and the Republicans. This immigration fix cannot look anything like amnesty. If it does, I don't care if the President said he would "take the heat". That fallout from the base will be beyond heat. It will be an excrement storm which will cover everyone involved.
That is my take. Any negotiation, as any negotiator will tell you, is always easy until it is not. And the "not" part of a negotiation usually happens sooner rather than later.
Tuesdays immigration reality show was perhaps 45's most effective effort yet to harness the theatrics and symbolism of the presidency to position himself as the dominant player at a key political moment -- a skill he was slow to master in a tumultuous first year in office when his erratic behavior alienated many voters. Well done for the most part.
ReplyDeleteWe've already witnessed "the base" accept any piece of crap, half baked legislation or executive order as the holy grail, so I can imagine that no matter what is in or out of this "reform", those of you who have drunk the kool-aid will be pleased as punch.
And the 9th district judges will have another field day overruling and eventually, the SCOTUS will have to hear it.
Have a great day,
Dave
I am sorry Dave - I got a good chuckle out of your comment. No offense brother, but someone with a perpetual blue mustache from guzzling DFL kool-aid for decades, accusing moi of being a connoisseur of that sugary drink - hahahahahahaha...
DeleteI was a right leaning person until I latched on to the govt. teat when I turned 59.5
DeleteYour previous post said an immigration fix was easy. I agree. Politically it is hard, but that has nothing to do with finding sensible solutions. The trite "what part of 'illegal' do you not understand" is actually quite valuable in pointing to solutions.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm no great negotiator, but I have not found it to be hard. My usual negotiation was, "look, your proposal meets our needs, so just give me your best price, and if that's in my budget we do business." Simple.
I think Trump's meeting was a master stroke-- I agree with Dave-- showing him to be in total command of the material and very reasonable. He leaves the details to Congress and their staffs.
Jerry - I said in my previous post it would be an easy fix if most voted red instead of blue. Then the Dems would be clamoring for a wall and stricter controls. Too much consensus leads to a dull argument. Case closed - immigration problem solved.
DeleteIf the US demand for drugs does not change, do you think a wall is of any consequence?
DeleteImmigration must continue for economic growth as our birth rate will not sustain growth.
If you don't like Muslim or Mexican money, then other folk will have to expand entry.
And northern European's will not be lining up to come given current conditions.
Now, back to my 45 and conservative bashing.............
ReplyDeleteI believe that 45’s being called dumb by the intellectual elite is intimately connected to his political identity.
As it has moved farther and farther right, the Republican Party has grown increasingly anti-intellectual.
Trump’s base adores him, not despite his obvious mental limitations, but because of them.
Two caveats are in order.
First, many intelligent people have conservative values, and rationally support the Republican Party.
Second, while 45’s lack of mental aptitude may be similar to that of previous Republican leaders in kind, it is very different in degree.
That said, 45’s flamboyant ignorance and disdain for intellectual standards are very much in keeping with modern conservative politics.
900 ICE agents detain 20 illegals found WORKING at 7-11 stores nationwide!
ReplyDeleteKind of reminds a rational person of Krystallnacht!
Makes me so proud of what we are becoming under conservative rule!
I will say this: "conservative rule" beats "intellectual rule" hands down.
ReplyDeleteAnd 45 is not an intellectual president. He's far more practical. Intellectuals don't understand that, and think him mad.