Is the Immigration Bill Dying?

As reported in the AP:

WASHINGTON (AP) - A fragile compromise that would legalize millions of unlawful immigrants risks coming unraveled after the Senate voted early Thursday to place a five-year limit on a program meant to provide U.S. employers with 200,000 temporary foreign workers annually.

The 49-48 vote came two weeks after the Senate, also by a one-vote margin, rejected the same amendment by Sen. Byron Dorgan. The North Dakota Democrat says immigrants take many jobs Americans could fill.

The reversal dismayed backers of the immigration bill, which is supported by President Bush but loathed by many conservatives. Business interests and their congressional allies were already angry that the temporary worker program had been cut in half from its original 400,000-person-a-year target.

Townhall.com's Hugh Hewitt opines, "The Beltway's elites badly bungled the bill. It is hardly the first time or the last that the Congress misjudged completely the mood of the public. The real error is in refusing to listen after the people have taken the time to announce their disapproval."

Robert Bluey lists those Senators who are on the fence:

Spirits among conservative critics of the immigration bill have brightened today following several Senate votes that indicate at least 40 senators could block the bill during a cloture vote tomorrow.

Well-placed sources tell me that activists are focusing their attention on the following list of senators: Sam Brownback (R.-Kan.), Richard Burr (R.-N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (R.-Ga.), Larry Craig (R.-Idaho), Pete Domenici (R.-N.M.), Byron Dorgan (D.-N.D.), John Ensign (R.-Nev.), Mike Enzi (R.-Wyo.), Judd Gregg (R.-N.H.), Johnny Isakson (R.-Ga.), Jon Kyl (R.-Ariz.), Mary Landrieu (D.-La.), Trent Lott (R.-Miss.), Mitch McConnell (R.-Ky.), Claire McCaskill (D.-Mo.), Ben Nelson (D.-Neb.), Mark Pryor (D.-Ark.), Debbie Stabenow (D.-Mich.), John Sununu (R.-N.H.), Jon Tester (D.-Mont.), George Voinovich (R.-Ohio), Jim Webb (D.-Va.), and John Warner (R.-Va.).

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey reports Senator Lindsay Graham, on the floor of the US Senate, threw a hissy-fit over an Obama amendment, which would have capped the points-based entry system. Hotair's Allahpundit provides the truly embarrassing video.

RedState's Erick Erickson is disappointed at the defeat of Senator John Cornyn's amendment, which would have stopped those convicted of rape, assult, terrorism, and theft frome ver being eligible for legislation: "Look folks, I'm to the left of a great many of you on immigration. I have leaned toward support of this legislation. But it is blocking amendments like this and showing no willingness to fix the Z-visa issue that keep me from supporting the immigration reform effort."

Right Wing News' John Hawkins launches Paybackproject.com.

Congratulations to Jon Henke!

Q&O's Jon Henke, who spent 6 months as the New Media advisor to the Senate Republicans, has signed up as Fred Thompson's campaign. John posted more details at his blog.

Matt Lewis on WNBC
ritus and Townhall.com blogger Matt Lewis was interviewed on WNBC after the CNN GOP Debate:



Dems See Senator's Death as a Political Opportunity


Right Angle's Ericka Andersen reports that Democrats are eying political gains from the unfortunate death of Senator Craig Thomas.

As reported in Roll Call:

“The party of course sees this as a big opportunity, but it’s too early to know how it’s going to play out,” said one Democratic operative based in Wyoming.

No Agenda's Matt Margolis adds, "It is disgusting to think that Democrats see Senator Thomas's death as a political opportunity for the their party, but sadly this seems to be just another reflection of how they view the entire world. Everything they do is in the interests of their party. No matter what the situation or issue, even the safety of our country, their only concern is political gain."

Romney: Gay Couples Raising Kids is the American Way

From the AP:

“There are other ways to raise kids that’s fine: single moms, grandparents raising kids, gay couples raising kids. That’s the American way, to have people have their freedom of choice,” (Mitt Romney) said.

Palmetto Scoop opines, "Umm… what? We’ve lost track now, but we thought Romney opposed gay adoption and gay marriage. We have stopped being surprised by his all-too-often position changes - even from one month to the next - but we certainly never expected him to say 'gay couples raising kids' is 'the American way.'"