Rendell: If GOP Shuts Down Gov’t over Exec Action They’ll ‘Pay a Heavy Price’

Rendell: If GOP Shuts Down Gov’t Over Immigration Exec Action They Will ‘Pay a Heavy Price’ (RealClearPolitics)

FMR. GOV. ED RENDELL (D-PA): I actually believe the president is doing this solely because he believes it's the right thing and because it's a promise he made two years ago and he's right when he says, this isn't about politics, it's about people. But let's look at the politics. I think the Republicans will lose in court if they go to court. The president clearly has the discretion to tell the Justice Department who he wants to deport and who he wants to not deport, where he wants the emphasis to be, it's clearly within his rights.

But more than that, if the Republican party can't control itself, if they, in fact, shut down the government because of this, they'll pay a heavy price. If, in fact, they say, we're not going to do anything about immigration, because the president took this action, they'll look like spoiled children. They'll pay a heavy price.

If in fact they say, we're not going to meet the president halfway about anything because he did this, they'll pay a heavy price. So I think it's a test for the Republican party and its leadership whether they're going to be responsible and go ahead, and if they don't like this executive order, pass a bill. Send the president a bill. That will end the executive order...