[quidnunc]

Remember the hue and cry that went up when Bush announced that he would sigh the reauthorization of the assault weapons ban?

Well, he knew that a bill wouldn't even get to his desk because during the election of 2000 gun control was the political third rail for Democrats.

So Bush took an issue away from the Democrats.

The same thing is happening with the immigration proposal.

Bush took something along to give to Fox on that trip to Mexico and earned some brownie points with Mexican-American voters.

So don't get your undies in a bunch until there's a bill on the table, which probably will be… no time soon.

[DMCA]

Didn't we say the same thing about Campaign Fiance Reform?

[quidnunc]

FYI

[annyokie]

You're exactly right. Briliant strategery on Dubya's part.

[rdb3]

I feel pretty confident that this proposal is DOA in the House.

[Beck_isright]

He's going to sign the AW ban.

CFR wasn't goint to past the USSC also.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, take me out and shoot me.

[CFC__VRWC]

So don't get your undies in a bunch until there's a bill on the table, which probably will be… no time soon.

If the reception the proposal got at the SOTU address is an indicator, I have to agree. Never heard such a dead flounder hit the table at one of those before.

[Dog Gone]

The chances of an immigration bill/guest worker program passing congress before the election are no higher than zero.

Bush will get some credit from hispanics for raising the issue to national discussion. Whether that offsets the conservatives who will refuse to vote for him is not known.

Something needs to be done, and maybe the political wheels will finally begin to move.

[Pubbie]

*** I TOLD YOU SO ***

[deport]

The Hagel-Daschle bill is S2010.

I think there are a few others dealing with immigration on the table.... Tancredo filed one in Nov. 03 and I think Cornyn in Jul of 03 ... possibly others.....

Now I agree I don't think any will get passed with amnesty in them, etc.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I gotta hand it to Bush, he really knows just where to jab the Democrats.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

But Hastert puts his foot down when asked if undocumented immigrants already in the country should be given amnesty, rather than proceed through the existing citizenship process.

"If you put amnesty in there, you short-circuit the system," he said. "You can't change the rules and amnesty changes the rules."

That's the Dennis Hastert I'm used to hearing... I hope he sticks by that and doesn't give in to pressure.

[skeeter]

Bush took something along to give to Fox on that trip to Mexico and earned some brownie points with Mexican-American voters.

Thanks to Bush the whole subject of amnesty is now on the table.

It be much better politics if he'd announced he's gonna enforce current immigration law. Now amnesty for illegals is in the realm of possibility. Thanks alot.

[philetus]

(Y'all are getting hot and bothered over nothing!)

Whether it will pass or not, some of us still feel we need to let him know we don't like the idea.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" So don't get your undies in a bunch until there's a bill on the table, which probably will be… no time soon."

I think part of this was to force the Democrats to tack left on immigration,which has already happened with the Daschle-Dingell-Hagel-Bagel Bill.

" The senators proposed that undocumented workers and their families living in the United States be given the chance to become "invested stakeholders" in the country by earning legal permanent residence through work." Bush said they have to go back to their home countries after 3 years .

" In addition, the senators' proposal would remove limits on the number of spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents who can get visas to come to the United States and apply for residency, treating them like the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens."

[puroresu]

The reason the bill is likely DOA in Congress is BECAUSE a lot of us got "hot and bothered" about it. Phone calls to Republican congressional offices were overwhelmingly against the Bush proposal. GOP fundraising dollars dropped because of donor opposition.

That's why the Bush proposal is headed downhill. If we hadn't got "hot & bothered", the congressional Republicans would assume the GOP rank and file have no problem with the bill and likely would pass it.

Imagine a tax increase that dies in committee because of outraged public opposition. Would you tell the taxpayers to calm down, on the grounds that the proposal is DOA? Without the outrage, it wouldn't be DOA!

[rbmillerjr]

Kinda like Campaign Finance Reform.

I will vote for Bush but relish saying NO when the RNC calls for money.

[whd23]

So don't get your undies in a bunch until there's a bill on the table, which probably will be… no time soon.

So if someone says they're going to slit your wife's throat and rape your daughter, but don't actually do it you shouldn't take offense?

OK, I understand now....

[Hugin]

"I don't think there's support to get that through Congress," the Yorkville Republican said.

What he means is this year. They will wait until they are all saftly re-elected then screw us.

[JackelopeBreeder]

I suppose I should be joyously thankful that illegal immigration only jumped to 38% higher than last year in my area since the great announcement was made. Of course I'm trying not to think what it will be like when the weather improves.

[Destro]

So this president bluffs for political gain? And when called on such a bluff like CFR? Why he signs it into law of course. And we hated Clinton's manipulative games - tsk - tsk.