More Arlen Specter

Two recent themes (that Arlen Specter may not be as crazy as once thought, and that nothing in Washington really dies) converge: Arlen Specter says immigration still has 'momentum.' Enough, he thinks, to pass a measure legalizing illegals without giving them citizenship. I couldn't disagree more vehemently - whatever momentum immigration as an issue maintains is in the opposite direction: at a minimum, Americans want the border secured before anything more is even discussed. Why Congress hasn't gotten the message (and $3 billion more in funding for that purpose is only a step in the right direction) is beyond me.

Immigration Bill Dead?

I'm watching the cloture vote live on C-Span 2 right now; if the bill's proponents can't get 60 votes, Reid will pull the bill (again). Coastal Democrats seem generally supportive, as do some interior lefties (Kohl just voted aye). I'll keep up with this one as well.

UPDATE: It's dead!! 46-53 (Johnston not voting, I suspect).

UPDATE 2: Finally got the roll call (thanks to Hotair!). Almost all of the Republicans who voted for cloture are either up for reelection, RINOS, both, or "mavericks." One of the few exceptions to this rule is Jon Kyl, whose conservative credentials are beyond criticism. I feel like his support was based on this being a somewhat workable fix and him being a border-stater.

I'm Not Dead Yet!

Despite everyone's fervent wishes to the contrary (except perhaps for the President and Senator Kennedy), it would appear that the immigration monster is still stirring. Kaus (h/t Instapundit) outlines W's strategy to resuscitate his monster; AFP has Bush saying he'll take a more hands-on/personal role in working with the Senate to pass it. Let me get this straight: a President with a job-approval rating in the low 30s goes to the Hill to harangue a Congress with a job-approval rating equally as low or lower - and we expect this to work? I just wish Congress would do everyone a favor, declare this dead and move quickly to pass a toothy border security bill. With that done, Republicans might be more willing to talk, though I still think there are too many in both parties who are at least somewhat opposed to any guest worker program (i.e. most of those who voted for Dorgan's amendment last week).

And now for something completely different...