On Wednesday, NBC’s daily “First Read” online political publication touted how Hillary Clinton has set a “trap” for Republicans by supporting full citizenship for illegal immigrants here in the United States.
Written by Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd, NBC News Senior Political Editor Mark Murray, and Carrie Dann, “First Read” argued that Clinton decided to “take a position even FURTHER than Obama's on executive action for undocumented immigrants to force Republicans to react. Indeed, whenever the GOP conversation turns to immigration, bad things tend to happen to the party (see that DHS funding battle).”
During MSNBC’s NewsNation, host Tamron Hall teased the “First Read” article and declared “Hillary Clinton slams her Republican presidential rivals, both declared and undeclared, on the issue of immigration reform. Why our “First Read” team is calling Clinton's immigration policy a ‘trap.’”
The MSNBC host then brought on Mark Murray, who acted as an unofficial Hillary Clinton spokesperson, to explain the so-called “trap” she has set for the GOP:
Well, the trap, you know, essentially what Hillary Clinton, by going very big on immigration, saying that she would support executive actions beyond what President Obama ended up proposing, is a win-win situation for her. Because on the one hand it allows her to go left on immigration and really please a lot of Latino
advocates, as you are going for the Democratic primary nomination.
And also it's a win for her because immigration is an issue that seems to always divide Republicans. When the subject turns to immigration, this divides Republicans, they call for overreach and this is something, a debate that Democrats want to have.
Murray never mentioned that in 2014 multiple Republican candidates across the country ran openly opposed amnesty and won their respective elections, which seems to throw cold water on NBC’s assertion that Mrs. Clinton has set a “trap” for the GOP in 2016. Instead, Murray did his best to stress that Hillary Clinton will cause even more divisions within the Republican Party by now supporting amnesty.
NBC’s promotion of Clinton’s new position on immigration even made its way to the Today broadcast. Co-host Matt Lauer made sure to promote Clinton’s trip to Nevada and her efforts to “rekindle her relationship with Hispanic voters. At an event with high school students she declared her unequivocal support for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Drawing a hard line between herself and her Republican rivals on that issue.”
See relevant transcript below.
MSNBC’s NewsNation
May 6, 2015
TAMRON HALL: We’re back with the “First Read” on politics for you this morning. Hillary Clinton slams her Republican presidential rivals, both declared and undeclared, on the issue of immigration reform. Why our “First Read” team is calling Clinton's immigration policy a “trap.” The Democratic National Committee is under fire today after announcing that it will hold just six presidential primary debates, starting this fall. Some complain that it's not enough and that the DNC is favoring Clinton over other candidates. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell moves against members of his own party, including at least one presidential candidate when it comes to a nuclear deal with Iran. Let's get right to it, NBC News Senior Political Editor Mark Murray. So Mark, what is the trap?
MARK MURRAY: Well, the trap, you know, essentially what Hillary Clinton, by going very big on immigration, saying that she would support executive actions beyond what President Obama ended up proposing, is a win-win situation for her. Because on the one hand it allows her to go left on immigration and really please a lot of Latino advocates, as you are going for the Democratic primary nomination. And also it's a win for her because immigration is an issue that seems to always divide Republicans. When the subject turns to immigration, this divides Republicans, they call for overreach and this is something, a debate that Democrats want to have.
