[rmmcdaniell]

In a meeting with members of Congress, President Bush said he needs to do a better job explaining his position on immigration changes, House Majority Leader Tom Delay said Wednesday.

Translation: I'm going to try to spin some more lies so people won't be so pissed off about my open borders policy, but I will do nothing to stem the invasion.

[strategofr]

"Translation: I'm going to try to spin some more lies..." I agree. I think the key to the story is this: Bush is feeling some pressure, and feels he has to throw some kind of bone to DeLay, but he still believes he can stonewall the immigration issue---continue the "do nothing" policy.

I do not believe, however, the problem will go unaddressed till 2008. I predict a large setback for the GOP in 2006, based on the fillibuster failure + immigration. I think the GOP conservative focus in 2006 will be more in defeating RINOs than Democrats.

In the short run, the GOP will suffer. In the long run, it will be strengthened. In the aftermath of the 2006 debacle, I believe Bush will reluctantly return to the business of government, after his happy interlude of focus on Social Security, stem cells, and Terry Shiavo.