For years we told Bush "Secure the borders first" but he refused to do so, preferring to ram amnesty down our throats. But the people remembered the 1986 legislation of amnesty now, secure borders someday, maybe, never, and were adamant that that never happen again.
If Bush had been serious and secured our borders, I believe he could have gotten a workers plan and perhaps a bit of amnesty, but he couldn't be bothered to work with his fellow Republicans and base voters.
Very true. Bush sure squandered his opportunity.