Some Democrats refuse to even to say the word "wall" when it comes to border security. Others, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, toy with the idea and even offer compromises to fund the wall in exchange for DACA rights, only to take the offer back when they face heat from progressive activists.
Then there are Democrats like Sen. Joe Manchin (WV), who admit there's no getting around it - we need the wall.
"We do need a wall," he said. "In certain places we need a wall."
"We've got to repair some of the wall that we have and we've got to build some new wall," he added. "We need technology, we need border agents, we need to check our mail.
Schumer "did not" take the wall off the table, despite what media is reporting, Manchin said.
"Chuck will come around."
Manchin also chided liberal mayors like New York's Bill de Blasio for rejecting President Trump's invitation to talk immigration reform because they are bitter over the administration's anti-sanctuary city policies.
Anyone who won't even meet on the issue because of their politics "might be in it for the wrong reasons."
Trump has told the Democrats in no uncertain terms that there will be no deal for Dreamers without a border wall.
Cryin’ Chuck Schumer fully understands, especially after his humiliating defeat, that if there is no Wall, there is no DACA. We must have safety and security, together with a strong Military, for our great people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2018
However, he seemed to offer some leeway Wednesday when he told West Wing reporters he'd be open to giving younger DACA recipients citizenship in 10-12 years.
The fight over DACA resulted in last weekend's government shutdown.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member