So I am happy that the "compromise" from yesterday is stalled, but the reasons why are ludicrious, and really just show why the Republicans in the Senate need to grow a spine. Does Santorum want my vote in 2006 (I am a PA resident)? Does Frist want it in 2008? Then get behind the House plan.
The AP story actually hits some really good points, but they bury it at the tail-end of the story:

The House has passed legislation limited to border security, but Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and other leaders have signaled their willingness in recent days to broaden the bill in compromise talks with the Senate.

But Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., said anything with what he called amnesty would not get agreement from a majority in the House.

The immigration debate has given the American public a glimpse of what may lay ahead in 2008 GOP presidential politics.

Frist, R-Tenn., a potential presidential candidate in 2008, sought to establish more conservative credentials when he initially backed a bill limited to border security. At the same time, he has repeatedly called for a comprehensive bill _ adopting Bush's rhetoric _ and involved himself in the fitful negotiations over the past several days.

There is no point passing any bill that does not focus on border security. That is the most pressing issue, and the one that should be resiolved most quickly. In the words of Jan Ting, andf I am going to paraphrase here: Any immigration bill calling itself "comprehensive" is bound to fall far short of the mark.

Posted by Ryan S. on Friday, April 07, 2006 at 11:55 AM | Permalink |