From the WSJ (subscription required):
WASHINGTON -- The Senate fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to end debate on immigration overhaul, dealing a near-fatal blow to the landmark bill and one that could very well dash President Bush's hopes of ever achieving this goal before leaving the White House.
The 46-53 roll call evolved into a blowout as a strong majority of Republicans sought cover and lined up against the administration once the outcome became apparent. [SNIP]
Beyond this summer, the political and legislative calendars don't favor a quick turnaround, and House Democrats will be reluctant to act given the continued stalemate in the Senate. Already the 2008 presidential elections have begun to intrude on the debate, and Republican lawmakers, worried about their own political survival, are more reluctant to take risks for the president.
Like Lyndon Johnson on civil rights and Bill Clinton on welfare reform and trade, the immigration issue has pitted Mr. Bush squarely against his party's base.(Emphasis mine.)
I was waiting for someone in the MSM to use some part of the IIC in an analogy with the Civil Rights Debate of forty years ago. But at least the analogy reminds close observers that LBJ, a Democrat, was going against his party when he signed the CRA.
Next question: when will real construction begin on the already-approved border fence?
UPDATE: I heard that Ted Kennedy compared the now-dead IIC to the Civil Rights legislation this morning. One obvious problem with that analogy, Senator: Civil Rights legislation was meant for the benefit of actual American citizens.
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