I have to wonder whose idea it was to fall on the amnesty sword? I wonder if the strategists advised him that amnesty was a winning plan and McCain was furious when it backfired or if it was McCain's and the strategists left because he wouldn't listen.
Of course I have the same question about Bush and Lott and their decision to commit political suicide over the issue as well.
This fits into the overarching issues that they share among themselves, and that those opposed to amnesty do not share.
Passage of amnesty would effectively moot the entire issue as being one of settled law, and would therefore remove a huge plank for their opponents, such as Fred and others, to run on, hence the fevor to give the conservative voters the Bum's rush on passage, asap.
Occam’s razor.