Bush, the Immigration Bill and the Media

So, will the lib media tout today's Senate vote to invoke cloture as a victory for President Bush?

They relished the idea of Bush's party abandoning him on the immigration issue.

Will they now report how 24 Republicans rallied to his side?

WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted Tuesday to jump-start a stalled immigration measure to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants.

President Bush said the bill offered a "historic opportunity for Congress to act," and appeared optimistic about its passage by week's end.

The pivotal test-vote was 64-35 to revive the divisive legislation. It still faces formidable obstacles in the Senate, including bitter opposition by GOP conservatives and attempts by some waverers in both parties to revise its key elements.

Supporters needed 60 votes to scale procedural hurdles and return to the bill. A similar test-vote earlier this month found just 45 supporters, only seven of them Republicans.

Tuesday's outcome was far from conclusive, however. The measure still must overcome another make-or-break vote as early as Thursday that will also require the backing of 60 senators, and there is no guarantee that it will ultimately attract even the simple majority it needs to pass.

I'm not talking about the merits of the immigration bill here.

I think it's a disaster, riddled with loopholes.

What I'm focusing on is how the media are presenting the bill's life, its journey.

After today's vote, will the media trumpet Bush's power?

Will they praise his ability to persuade members of the Senate to stand by him?

Will his political prowess be commended?

I haven't seen any indication of that.

I guess the bill's fate isn't a measure of Bush's strength anymore. The lib media appear to have abandoned that angle, at least temporarily.
_______________________

Bush's "Republican" Allies:

Bennett (R-UT)

Bond (R-MO)

Brownback (R-KS)

Burr (R-NC)

Coleman (R-MN)

Collins (R-ME)

Craig (R-ID)

Domenici (R-NM)

Ensign (R-NV)

Graham (R-SC)

Gregg (R-NH)

Hagel (R-NE)

Kyl (R-AZ)

Lott (R-MS)

Lugar (R-IN)

Martinez (R-FL)

McCain (R-AZ)

McConnell (R-KY)

Murkowski (R-AK)

Snowe (R-ME)

Specter (R-PA)

Stevens (R-AK)

Voinovich (R-OH)

Warner (R-VA)
_______________________

Read more about the "Countdown to Amnesty."