Bipartisan Effort to Draft Immigration Bill

Source: nytimes

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25 — Counting on the support of the new Democratic majority in Congress, Democratic lawmakers and their Republican allies are working on measures that could place millions of illegal immigrants on a more direct path to citizenship than would a bill that the Senate passed in the spring.

The lawmakers are considering abandoning a requirement in the Senate bill that would compel several million illegal immigrants to leave the United States before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship.

The lawmakers are also considering denying financing for 700 miles of fencing along the border with Mexico, a law championed by Republicans that passed with significant Democratic support.

Details of the bill, which would be introduced early next year, are being drafted. The lawmakers, who hope for bipartisan support, will almost certainly face pressure to compromise on the issues from some Republicans and conservative Democrats.

Still, the proposals reflect significant shifts since the November elections, as well as critical support from the Homeland Security Department.

Proponents said the prospects for such a measure, which would include tougher border security and a guest worker plan, had markedly improved since Nov. 7.

I believe the term here is "wishful thinking." MJ was pissed when she read this article, I'll share with you what I told her, they don't think it's a slam dunk that they'll get this bill, and they know that 80% or so of Americans don't like this, yet this article suggests this is in the can?

I don' theenk so mah fren'.

Here's what AJ Strata had to say..."The Fence Only crowd are now completely out of the political equation, so the question is whether Bush stands by his long term position on immigration reform, which held the broadest support in the country, or whether he will make adjustments."

Not to belabor the obvious here but, "broadest support in the country?" Really? Based on what, exactly? Mr. Strata's ginormous cranium? Did he receive a cache of ultra-mega smart pills for Christmas? I think this reflects Mr. Strata's opinion, and that's fine, but if you eliminate rather silly push polls from the equation I'm hard pressed to understand how he came to that conclusion.

I also note he assiduously avoids any links in that passage, presumably due to the fact he would tend to look like a crank. So here's a couple just to whet your whistle (note to Mr. Strata, this is just how we roll in the blogosphere)...

This Poll I believe

Bi-partisan Indeed!

Compare & Contrast

Damn: Polls Show Bush Sucking Like Hoover On Illegal Immigration...

Poll, Poll, Everywhere A Poll

The Public’s View of Immigration

The purpose of this article is to disenfranchise those who feel that illegal immigration is wrong. They will use any argument that comes to hand to make that case, "but it's too hard" "But Americans like illegal immigration" "But it's bi-partisan!"

Nonsense, they didn't get it through last time and I doubt they will this time either.

Note that the same lunatics are leading the charge again, the (R) point man? As Hot Air sez..."St. John of Tucson"

If this were really in the can you wouldn't be reading this article. I'm sure NumbersUSA and the redoubtable Roy Beck are spinning up the Bat Cave Computers as we speak. So when they call on you you know what to do.

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