Brownback Can Kiss ’08 Run Goodbye

Don’t take Sen. Sam Brownback (R.-Kan.) seriously when he talks about running for President in 2008. Brownback’s vote today with Senate Democrats on an amnesty bill should put an end to any remote chance he had at the White House.

Brownback joined Republican Senators Arlen Specter (Pa.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Mike DeWine (Ohio) to move a Teddy Kennedy-endorsed immigration reform bill through the Judiciary Committee. I’m being generous by calling it “reform.”

The three other mavericks Brownback joined are no friends of conservatives, but Brownback is known as a strong pro-lifer who generally votes with the conservatives of his party. This vote is by far the most disappointing.

Meanwhile, DeWine, who is stuck in a tough fight for re-election, just swung and missed at strike two. Strike one was his participation in the Gang of 14, which hurt his son in a race for the U.S. House. Now DeWine has blatantly disregarded the conservative base he needs to beat Rep. Sherrod Brown (D.-Ohio).

Six Republicans on the Judiciary Committee stuck to their principles today. They deserve to be commended for their opposition to an amnesty bill.

• Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah)
• Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa)
• Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.)
• Sen. Jeff Sessions (Ala.)
• Sen. John Cornyn (Tex.)
• Sen. Tom Coburn (Okla.)

As Cornyn put it:

“I voted against this committee bill because it rewards illegal immigrants and will be considered an amnesty by Americans. It will encourage further disrespect for our laws, and will undercut our efforts to shore up homeland security.  There is a better way to address this national security concern, and several of those who voted for the committee bill—including the chairman—did so with reservations.

“Adding border security measures to the McCain-Kennedy bill is not enough. But now that the full Senate debate is underway I’ll work for a comprehensive solution to our immigration situation, one with additional border security, interior enforcement, and employer accountability. And while we must address the12 million illegal aliens already here, we have to do so without granting them amnesty.”

Conservatives are left little choice but to rally around Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn.), who seems to firmly grasp the need to put border enforcement before an amnesty program supported by Teddy Kennedy.

Make your voice heard. See where your senators stand. Call them today.