[kabar]

On amnesty, Obama wins either way. If amnesty is stopped, the Reps will be blamed and termed racists, bigots, nativists, etc. If amnesty passes, Obama gets the credit for fulfilling a campaign promise and the Dems gets millions of new voters.

Moreover, even a protracted path to citizenship will give the Dems a new campaign issue in 2014. They will push for a more rapid path to citizenship and denounce the Reps for treating immigrants as second-class citizens.

[buckalfa]

"On amnesty, Obama wins either way."

Triangulation is a bear and Obama has learned well from Slick Willie. Of course the GOP will cave, not only for the reasons you gave but also to pander to the Chamber of Commerce and Corporate America (World?). Got to have more cheap labor to further depress American wages so that the bottom line can be maintained and expanded. Privatize the profits, socialize the expense. What a wonderful country Amerika is becoming! (/s)