Bush backs restraints on illegal immigrants

How does this deter gang-bangers, drug-smugglers, murderers, car thieves, assassins, hit-men, foreign agents and members of foreign criminal organizations i.e., the Russian Mafia, Yakuza or the Chinese Triads?

The bill is designed to keep illegal aliens from obtaining drivers licenses, nothing more.

It's something that needs to be done, so be happy.

There is still more that needs to be done and those things can be addressed in other bills and I'm sure most will be.

As for Bush, he’s just pulling a Hilary. He wants a guest worker program, so if he comes forward and backs this bill, he will expect Sensenbrenner and his group to back what ever guest worker bill Bush will eventually back.

I agree but I think the change will be forced on Bush
by the party - thus his minor flip flop. Bush is a lame
duck so he really doesn't care but there are too many in
the House and Senate who are up for election in '06 and
who are reading the polls. I think they've told Bush (as
has Carl Rove) that "you may be finished but we're NOT".

I think Senesnbrenner told Bush that since he opposed any
serious immigration reform in the Intelligence Reform
Bill that he would have to support HR418 and other measures
that restrict illegals if he expects any of the other
things on his agenda (tort reform, Social Security, etc.)
to get congressional consideration. They're playing hard-
ball. My other concern is that Bush has NOT been conservative enough for many in his base. Just today the
Heritage "Policy Wire" said that the Medicare prescription
drug benefit "threatens much of the conservative domestic
policy agenda". And that this biggest entitlement since
LBJ is a "staggering new unfunded liability on future
generations". It went on to say that soon after it goes
into effect (1/1/06) it will escalate into trillions
in liability. Bush in the first term was a reckless
spender: Ted Kennedy wrote the No Child Left Behind
education bill which is a billions boondoggle. Bush
signed an Agriculture bill that was 40% pork -- he didn't
veto a SINGLE big spending bill. His new budget is forced
to recognize the reality that spending MUST be reduced.
I think we, as conservatives, should hold EVERYONE
accountable who does not advocate a smaller, less intrusive
fiscally responsible government.

I don't know what Sensenbrenner may have told the President. I do know, the President is less a conservative ideologue and more an "instinctive" conservative. He has disappointed conservatives on many issues ranging from farm subsidies, to increased education spending, to prescription drug coverage, to campaign finance reform and of course, immigration reform.

Nothing wrong with holding our elected officials feet to the fire. Nonetheless, Bush`s proposals to cut non-military discreationary spending in the 2006 federal budget was a positive decision that conservatives like myself support.

In total, PresBush has done a remarkable job in the WOT and his tax cuts have been a significant factor in removing hard cash from the sticky fingers of our fiscally irresponsible CongressCritters. All in all, a job well done by our GOP POTUS and VPOTUS.

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