I don’t ever endorse “win by losing” as a viable strategy, but in this case I can’t rule it out as a gambit. In fact, I think that’s what he’s doing.
He doesn’t want to pass immigration reform right now. He wants to pick a fight with the GOP to curry favor with illegal immigrants and their power base (Democrats). The tougher the fight is, the more he stands to identify with the reinforced victimhood of illegals. Also, the more he can paint GOP as a bunch of racist recession reactionaries.
If he wins on his amnesty and more plan, the center swings against him, and he reinforces ONLY his base. If he loses, however, the base is still the base, but the center is sympathetic. At the same time, if he loses, the GOP is easily portrayed as a bunch of mean old white men and their dupes of various races.
More on this in a bit. But that’s the nutshell.
