Playing with Fuego

Don't worry, Fristie...the good old boys from Crazy Base Land in the House have got ya covered. That way, you can pass a bi-partisan bill that gets you a few Latino votes knowing that the GOP in the House will trash it and replace it with a massive "search and deport" program. Too bad Harry Reid outsmarted you--again. In the mean time, you're playing with the anger of MILLIONS of Latino citizens. Bye-bye GOP majority.

Pressure, Frustration Mount

But amid partisan finger-pointing, the Senate left town Friday for a two-week recess, having failed to pass a bipartisan immigration compromise that appeared to have the support of a clear majority of the Senate. The deal also appears to have overwhelming support among voters. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll found that 63 percent of those surveyed backed letting immigrants who have lived in the country a certain number of years apply for legal status and eventually become citizens.

In contrast, only 14 percent favored a plan to let illegal immigrants work for a limited number of years before having to return to their home countries -- an alternative pushed by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.). An additional 20 percent said illegal immigrants should be declared felons and offered no temporary work program, a stand that corresponds with the legislation approved by the House.

Many Republicans yesterday continued to blame Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.), who has used parliamentary tactics to block votes on Republican amendments and is making demands the GOP sees as unreasonable. But they could not hide their frustration with the president, either.

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