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Whether by design or dumb luck, the amnesty bill, its initial defeat, the President reviving it, the Republicans pushing it, makes the Dems look better than the Pubbies

Disagree. It was the Republicans [conservatives] that defeated this bill that was supported in the Senate primarily by Dems. Sessions, Vitter, DeMint, and Cornyn became the face of the opposition in the Senate who defied the political leadership of Lott and McConnell and the WH. Although 15 Dems eventually voted no to cloture, there is no doubt in the public's mind that it was the Rep party that stood tall and defeated a bill only 26% of the public supported. On this issue, the Reps looked better than the Dems, the WH aside.

On this issue, the Reps looked better than the Dems, the WH aside.

I tend to agree with your analysis, but I would make the following comments. Amnesty is a populist issue which cuts into both parties. The Republicans were responsible for putting the deciding votes with the people's will. The problem is neither party is populist and particularly the Republicans. If the Republicans would start representing the small donors in the party and publicly and seriously put forth stronger enforcement against ILLEGAL employers then they might be able to broaden the party's currently dismal appeal. I know of NO Republicans in my small circle of acquaintances, who do not want to see more border fence and more illegal employers taken to account. And oddly I know quite a few Democrats that probably the ONLY political things we agree upon are securing the borders and stopping illegal employers.

Disagree. It was the Republicans [conservatives] that defeated this bill

That is true. You know it. I know it. BUT...

The average voter saw the 30-minute evening news between getting the kids to soccer practice, and dinner, and feeding the dog.

The faces associated with this bill by MSM were: George Bush (Republican), Specter (Republican), Lott (Republican), Graham (Republican), McConnell (Republican).

Notice that even John McCain avoided any connection with this resurrected bill. He didn't even vote on many of the amendments. And I didn't see him in one photo op during the resurrected round.

What the casual citizen knows is this:

The Republicans pushed this bill to legalize millions, and the Democratic Senate defeated it -- twice. George W (Republican) put his face on it with that evening nationwide comprehensive immigration speech early last year, and his "I now have a Congress I can work with" comment the morning after the 2006 election defeats, and his "I'll see you at the bill signing."