The Circular Firing Squad of George W. Bush

The current effort to enact an immigration reform bill amnesty for illegal aliens is all but kaput. Harriet Reid knows it, the Fat Drunk knows it; and the Gitmo inmate's sympathizer from South Carolina knows it. In spite of the anger coming from Americans - Democrat and Republican alike - George W. Bush is clueless.

President Bush pressed divided Republicans on Tuesday to support him on immigration overhaul, saying "status quo is unacceptable."

In a rare visit to the Capitol for lunch with the Senate's GOP membership, Bush said he recognized that immigration was an emotional issue and that many do not agree with him. Still, he said, "Now is the time to get it done."

That's right, get it done, prove how in touch with the base you are.

The measure supported by the White House, which legalizes up to 12 million unlawful immigrants and tightens border security, stalled last week in the face of broad Republican opposition.

Bush's personal effort to salvage the derailed bill came as key lawmakers reached for a deal that could quickly revive the measure. He needs to change enough minds among GOP senators to push through a top domestic priority.

"The White House will stay engaged," Bush told reporters after the lunch.

"Some members in there believe that we need to move a comprehensive bill, some don't," the president said. "I understand that. It's a highly emotional issue."

But it was unclear whether Bush changed any minds. His approach has sparked a backlash among some of the party's core supporters, who see the legislation as amnesty for people who sneaked into the country.

NY Times Baffled by Opposition to Shamnesty

It's as if aliens landed from outer space and raised a ruckus. Showing how utterly clueless they are, the New York Times interviews opponents of the amnesty bill and are shocked that people would actually rise up and work to defeat the most disastrous piece of legislation to come along in decades.

But the legislation sparked a furious rebellion among many Republican and even some Democratic voters, who were linked by the Internet and encouraged by radio talk show hosts. Their outrage and activism surged to full force after Senator Jon Kyl, the Arizona Republican who was an author of the bill, suggested early this week that support for the measure seemed to be growing. The assault on lawmakers in Washington was relentless. In a crucial vote Thursday night, the bill’s supporters, including President Bush, fell short by 15 votes. While there is a possibility the legislation could be revived later this year, there was a glow of victory among opponents on Friday.

“Technologically enhanced grass-roots activism is what turned this around, people empowered by the Internet and talk radio,” said Colin A. Hanna, president of Let Freedom Ring, a conservative group.

Well, thank goodness for Internet activism and talk radio hosts. Without them, this horrific bill may well have passed. Perhaps now the mainstream media will look at such outlets more seriously, reather than dismissing them as some sort of fringe kooks.

Shamnesty Bill Goes Down to Defeat

It may just be a temporary setback for those who want to welcome untold millions of invaders, but it's a welcome relief, nonetheless.

Don't worry, though, they'll be back.

Do not let them forget why it failed this time.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A broad immigration bill to legalize millions of people in the U.S. unlawfully failed a crucial test vote Thursday, a stunning setback that could spell its defeat for the year.

The vote was 45-50 against limiting debate on the bill, 15 short of the 60 that the bill's supporters needed to prevail. Most Republicans voted to block Democrats' efforts to bring the bill to a final vote.

The legislation, which had been endorsed by President Bush, would tighten borders, institute a new system to prevent employers from hiring undocumented workers in addition to giving up to 12 million illegal immigrants a pathway to legal status.

Conceived by an improbable coalition that nicknamed the deal a "grand bargain," the measure exposed deep rifts within both parties and is loathed by most GOP conservatives.

Senate Majority Harry Reid, D-Nev., who had made no secret of his distaste for parts of the bill, said earlier he would move on to other matters if the immigration measure's supporters didn't get 60 votes Thursday night.

The defeat set off a bitter round of partisan recriminations, with Democrats and Republicans each accusing the other of killing it.

At this point, I care less about recriminations than I do about preserving some semblance of the America that I know.

Much more at Hot Air and Michelle Malkin.

As Harry Reid Screeches For Amnesty Help

The Bush administration may suspend a major post-9/11 security initiative to cope with increasingly angry complaints from Americans whose summer vacations are threatened by new passport rules.

A proposal under consideration would temporarily waive a requirement that U.S. passports be used for air travel to and from Canada and Mexico, provided the traveler can prove he or she has applied for a passport, officials said Thursday.

Would that work like a temporary tax?

The proposed six-month suspension in the rules is aimed at clearing a massive backlog of passport applications at the State Department that has slowed processing to a crawl, they said.

But the plan has run into opposition from the Homeland Security Department, which controls U.S. border points and fears the move could make it easier for terrorists or other undesirables to enter the country, the officials said.

Instead of a passport, travelers could present a State Department receipt showing their passport application was being processed.

It is being reviewed by Homeland Security, the White House and members of Congress, who have been deluged with complaints from furious constituents, according to four officials at the agencies involved.

Amazing. As announced Nov. 22, 2006, the current rules

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)

The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:

Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

Nothing new there to cause the current crisis. And they can't be referencing

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

Sorry, but this isn't passing the smell test.

Unless, of course, an overwhelming majority of Americans traveling abroad are complete morons, waiting until the last minute before applying for their passports.

Doing The Swimmer's Bidding

Next time John McCain, Lindsay Graham, or John Kyl boast about their conservative credentials, just remember their slavish obedience to the bloated senior senator from Massachusetts.

Willing to drive us all off the amnesty bridge.

(Photo via fatboy.cc)

Hot Air has the latest Shamnesty news.

Scant Senate Support for Illegals Bill (UPDATE)

What little support exists for the amnesty bill seems to be evaporating quickly under an avalanche of negative public opinion now that particulars have been released and disseminated.

This turkey has to be squashed pronto, especially if Republicans want to maintain any support in the base.

Fewer than 20 senators are publicly committed to supporting the immigration deal that hits the Senate floor today while nearly 40 are already opposed or have serious concerns, underscoring how difficult it will be for President Bush and his allies to craft a coalition that can pass the bill.

A Washington Times survey of Senate offices and public comments after the deal was announced Thursday found an additional 32 senators who said they cannot even take a position yet -- a result of the fact that the deal was written in secret by a dozen senators and the Bush administration, wasn't even finalized until yesterday and still hasn't reached many Senate offices.

"I did not agree to any immigration deal and was not part of the negotiations," said Sen. Jim Bunning, Kentucky Republican and a likely opponent. "From what I have heard about the bill, it gives amnesty to the estimated 12.5 million illegal immigrants in this country."

Those opposing are listed here.

Reaction from NZ Bear, John Fund, Betsy Newmark, Michelle Malkin, Hugh Hewitt, Don Surber, La Shawn Barber.

UPDATE: Afternoon blog roundup at Fishwrap.

Seldom has the conservative blogosphere been as active on a single issue as it is about the Senate immigration bill, which is due for its first vote today. Lots of bloggers are linking to today's Stephen Dinan/S.A. Miller article -- discuss it at our "Insider" blog, which also links to the full text of the bill -- and other bloggers are linking to our "Immigration debacle" editorial.

Also see Kris W. Kobach with Rewarding Lawbreakers.