Obama's decision to postpone action on immigration draws criticism

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 28: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House August 28, 2014 in Washington, DC. President Obama spoke on various topics including possible action against ISIL and immigration reform. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The President's decision to delay action on immigration could have more to do with politics, said Washington Post reporter Ed O'Keefe.

In postponing action on immigration, President Obama said Saturday that he wanted to take the time to make sure the public understood the situation and that he had support for executive action. In the midst of congressional deadlock on immigration reform, Obama pledged in June to act before the end of the summer.

But the delay could have more to do with politics, said Washington Post congressional reporter Ed O'Keefe.

"To do anything at this point likely would spoil the chances of a handful of incumbent Democratic senators who are running for reelection in states where the president isn't very popular," O'Keefe told Take Two. Those states include Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana and North Carolina.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from some immigrant rights groups, who have grown frustrated with inaction on immigration reform.

"After six years of having a guy that continued to promise that he's going to do something as president on immigration, they are sick and tired of his broken promises," said O'Keefe.

With the control of Congress at stake in November's election, what kind of action Obama will take, and what kind of political climate he will be faced with, is still up in the air, said O'Keefe.