"Does this make you happier than if no bill emerges from the Senate at all before Nov?"
Seeing the previous legislative disasters like the Medicare prescription drug bill, where the Bush administration pounded on the table for *something* just so they could declare victory ... there is a great risk of letting a pro-amnesty bill get into conference. What will come out will be a 'comprehensive' monstrous compromise that Bush will twist arms to get passed, and the lemmings will jump off the cliff. Say goodbye to GOP majority for the next generation... say hello, Speaker Pelosi.
It's mind-boggling to think our GOP leaders are this deaf, dumb and blind, to go for something this unpopular an dwrong right before a tough election that their own base dislikes, ... but they wouldnt be pushing this rope if they werent, right?
Since Sen Frist has already caved by giving the Dems a huge voice in the conference committee (something like 14 Democrats - yuck), we *CANNOT* trust that what comes out of the committee will be any good, no matter what goes *INTO* it. The 'compromise' Hagel-Martinez was exposed as being 95% Kennedy's bill with loopholes galore by Sen Sessions.
Since I dont trust the Senate at all on this issue now, the best action on the Senate floor is inaction.
Here's the best scenario for Republicans other than inaction ... The Senate amends the Spectre fiasco to the point where it is close to Kyl-Cornyn type position - a temp worker program and *NO* path from illegal to citizenship. Even better: Frist calls for an up-or-down vote on enforcement-only bill. This is such a brilliant political move that would expose and deflate the Democrats, there is a 0% chance GOP Senate would try it.
How is that possible? Bush is hated by his own party according to many. What can he offer except bad poll numbers? I think it is more likely an enforcement only law is signed than a compromise guest worker bill, but time will tell. Your opinion is typical of many Freepers. I reject your assumed premises and consequences, but I don't desire to argue with you...rather I seek to understand you.
my real, and perhaps poorly worded, question to you was...
Given these 2 scenarios, is one preferable to you?
The House passes a strong enforcement only bill, but the Senate fails to pass a law...or...
The conference committee comes up with a bill that barely resemble the House bill. The House rejects the conference committee bill...Again no law before the elections.
Same result, different path. In a nut shell...would the House rejecting the conference bill make you feel better about the GOP?