The immigration bill, which compelled thousands of Americans to stockpile pitchforks and torches for a march on Washington, faces a "make or break" Senate vote today (Washington Post).
Watching it all unfold was like watching sky-bound pigs glide toward the underworld for an afternoon of ice-skating. President Bush assembled a team to push the bill, including Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Things didn't go well, as numerous Republicans condemned the bill as giving amnesty to illegal aliens. Rush Limbaugh blasted Bush and the bill, dubbing it the "Comprehensive Destroy the Republican Party Act."
Salon's Thomas Schaller described a split between the Republican Party's "Wall Street wing" (which wants cheap Spanish-speaking labor) and the "Main Street wing" (which wants big fences along the borders). According to Schaller, angry Republicans "began talking about last straws and using 'impeachment' and 'Bush' in the same sentence."
This upheaval is a long-time coming, as GOP Wall Streeters' and Main Streeters' interests have clashed conspicuously for years -- at least the clashing seemed conspicuous to unemotional observers.
In May, Bush publicly insulted Republicans and conservatives who opposed the bill, accusing them of "not wanting to do what's right for America."
Yesterday, six senators who'd helped revive the bill began expressing doubts (Bloomberg/Blue Herald News). Even if the bill survives the Senate today, it may face obstacles in the House, where Republicans have eagerly plotted to kill it. See what others are saying:
Looks Like Somebody's Juggernaut Got Stuck (Mercury Rising)
Tough, Fair and Practical.... (The Politico)
Reid: Don't Blame Me, Blame Bush.... (PoliPundit)
WSJ: Opposing Immigration Bill Could Sink GOP (Daily Kos)
Important Information about the Senate Amnesty Bill (Christian Conservatives)
Cloture Cometh (Captain's Quarters)
Doubts Emerge over Passing of Immigration Bill (New York Times)
Amnesty Alert: Senate Bill is in Peril... (Gay Patriot)
House GOP Rebukes Senate Bill (The Hill)
A Bill on its Way to Hitting A Brick Wall (Mac's Mind)
hurdles Ahead for Immigration Bill (CNN)
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