President Bush Tests His Clout Over the Immigration Bill

President Bush will face off with Senate Republicans who voted against his favored immigration reform bill, S1348, on June 12. Bush, who has a lot riding on this bill, will fatten his opponents with a luncheon before moving in for the kill. Senate Republicans are hoping that a scolding by the President will bring renegade lawmakers back into the fold.

Last week, the Senate's Democratic leaders sent President Bush a letter telling him that it was up to him to "lean on Republicans" to get the bill back on track. The President is counting on the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, to reopen debate and voting on the weakened bill. Both parties are trying to persuade the Senators who voted nay to change their minds.

The defeat of S1348 came while the President was at the G8 summit in Germany. Thirty-eight GOP Senators voted against cloture and stopped the run-away train from getting too far. They are: Alexander (R-TN), Allard (R-CO), Bennett (R-UT), Bond (R-MO), Bunning (R-KY), Burr (R-NC), Chambliss (R-GA), Cochran (R-MS), Coleman (R-MN), Collins (R-ME), Corker (R-TN), Cornyn (R-TX), Craig (R-ID), Crapo (R-ID), DeMint (R-SC), Dole (R-NC), Domenici (R-NM), Ensign (R-NV), Grassley (R-IA), Gregg (R-NH), Hatch (R-UT), Hutchison (R-TX), Inhofe (R-OK), Isakson (R-GA), Kyl (R-AZ), Lott (R-MS), McConnell (R-KY), Murkowski (R-AK), Roberts (R-KS), Sessions (R-AL), Shelby (R-AL), Smith (R-OR), Snowe (R-ME), Stevens (R-AK), Sununu (R-NH), Thune (R-SD), Vitter (R-LA), Warner (R-VA).

Many of those against S1348 acknowledge that it is out of touch with most Americans when it comes to immigration, just like President Bush. Tamar Jacoby, of the Manhattan Institute, told Associated Press that those Congressmen/women who voted against the bill might be persuaded to change their votes because the President's push will give them a "cover" to do so. Critics are not buying the excuse. The public expects more from elected officials than for them to duck behind the cover of a weak reason for breaking its trust.

President Bush has not been popular. Public confidence in him has been shaken over one political hot topic after another. Not only is Bush facing Democratic opposition, but even those in his own party are wondering why he is so out of touch with the rest of his base.

Opponents to S1348, such as NumbersUSA, are keeping a close eye on the 38 Senators. Campaigns have been waged to let them know how upset voters are with the President and his push to grant amnesty to 12-20 million illegal aliens. They cite failures such as the amnesty program from 1986.

Whether the President has enough influence left will be seen on the 12th of June. On the eve of a major election year, lawmakers will vote for the position that is the most popular. Whether the vote will be a fatal one for them will be seen in their reelection year.