You left out Teddy Kennedy, Salazar, and Menendez. And who are the faces associated with defeating this bill: Sessions, Vitter, DeMint, Coburn, and Cornyn. Add to that "Right-wing" talk radio. The fact is that this was a victory for Conservatives and the people.
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.
But check his votes. McCain can't disassociate himself from this issue. He was one of the grand bargainers.
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."
I think you underestimate the "casual citizen." The Dems wanted to put a Rep face on this issue, but anyone watching Kennedy and Reid's performance just before the final vote, understands that this was really a Dem bill. How can Novak and Hispanic groups blame the Reps for defeating this bill yet say it was a Rep bill?