I saw this idiot Nunez on Fox News yesterday, and all he could say was that "the Federa government needs to pay its fair share" about 5 times. He doesn't care how many millions of illegal aliens stream across the border, as long as the Federales pay for it.
You just hit on the Dem strategy. They will try to pin the blame on the Bush Administration not funding the states huge efforts (barf!) to handle the illegal alien problem.
If they can successfully divert the issue away from border security to "taking care of those already contributing to our society" then they can damage any Republican chance at the White House in 2008 while only paying lip service to closing the borders. (closing the borders will come after we fund the states properly).
The theme will be used for education (no child left behind) which is not fully funded. Before we (Dems) make changes (because it is working) we must fund it more fully (to repay the teachers' union).
Dems will take Republican issues and talk about funding them so they can work first, then complete their implementation (which will not happen).
Just another Sacramento a--hole with his hand out for $$'s.