[Zathras]

I now believe that the reason for some of Bush’s strange ideas during his last term was do to “horse trading” with McCain.

For instance:

McQueeg: “You back me on imigration reform, I’ll back you on the war”.
Bush: “But the people don’t want imigration reform!”
McQueeg: “You want me as a Republican or a Democrat?”
Bush: “Sigh”

[TomGuy]

Bush: “But the people don’t want imigration reform!”

Your premise is incorrect. Bush wanted amnesty from day one. He tried to get it through but 9-11 happened and the bill was shelved in 2002 by Sen. Byrd using a Senate technicality to stop it.

Bush tried to push it through again in 2006 and twice in 2007.