Perhaps.
I think they were cowed by stilted polls and money afterward.
And they're chicken to go against Bush firmly.
I don't like the "felon" provision BTW.
Neither do most people on our side, including Tancredo. This column of his is quite eye-opening on that. The "felon" provision was a poison pill that was supported by most Democrat Representatives.
Yes, perhaps, except recent history over Dubai proves otherwise. You can scrap the idea they are afraid to oppose Bush. And, btw, I despise what they did over Dubai, but as an example it holds up very well against your theory.
If I want to wear rose colored glasses I take this story at face value.
At face value it indicates the amnesty boosters are having trouble getting enough Reps onboard for Specter/McCain/Kennedy's collaborative efforts that they are being forced to give somewhat on border security concerns/English mandated and so forth in the proposals to lure a few more votes their way. This could mean calls to them are working, as well the "500,000" march hurt their cause.
Cynically, I fall in line with what another suggested. It's similiar to what they did with ANWR. The House played the bad guy while the Senate pretended it had enough votes for passage. IMO, it was an orchetrated stunt.
Until shown otherwise, IMO, the House directly at risk in district elections went hardline knowing the Senate would never fall in line. The Senate takes the opposite approach and appears completely irresponsible. In the end they 'concede' a few points in the Senate, and the House "claims" victory because without their hardline approach nothing would have been done. The Senate claims victory because they got their precious blessing on illegals.
Or so, imo, is their plan if they can fool enough people.
In the end amnesty happens. The only question is how much pro-border enforcement proponents get out of this scheme. I'm not hopeful.
"I don't like the "felon" provision BTW"
That's an absolute must!
With that in place no illegal ever caught can ever apply for a green card or immigration.
The do gooders that are aiding them can be put in prison or fined heavy enough to make the paupers.