GOP senator to Bush: 'Back off' on ailing immigration bill

[Kadie]

GOP senator to Bush: 'Back off' on ailing immigration bill
POSTED: 11:13 a.m. EDT, June 12, 2007

Story Highlights
• GOP Sen. Sessions: Don't "push a bill that so many of us can't support"
• Bush to visit Senate to sell his ailing immigration overhaul bill
• White House: If Democrats allow debate for GOP amendments, it will pass
• Bipartisan bill suffered crushing defeat last week; conservatives call it "amnesty"

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As President Bush prepares to make a rare visit to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to push his ailing immigration plan, one GOP senator is saying the president should "back off" and "help us write a better bill."

During his Senate lunch, Bush is hoping to gain 15 GOP supporters for his centerpiece immigration legislation which suffered a crushing blow in a floor vote last week.

Bush's influence with Congress appears to be waning, although he expressed confidence about the measure on Monday. "I'll see you at the bill signing," he said while traveling in Bulgaria. (Watch the signs that Bush is looking more like a "lame duck" )

But Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, a fellow Republican, made it clear Tuesday that he will not be swayed.

"Frankly, I think the president is wrong to push this piece of legislation so hard after we demonstrated the flaws that are in it," Sessions said. "He needs to back off."

more...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/12/immigration/index.html?section=cnn_latest

[fooj]

1. BWAHAHA! Sessions, the Cowardly Lion.

Doesn't have confidence in Gonzo yet he voted NO yesterday. Guess he was keeping his powder dry, eh?

[atreides1]

2. If He's Keeping his powder dry

He can learn how by just going across the aisle!!!!!

[fooj]

6. No kidding.

[MasonJar]

3. Naturally Bush blames the dems for the bill's demise. What else is new?

[KharmaTrain]

4. More Reason For Reid To Bring The Bill Up Again

Nothing is ripping the GOOP apart like the "immigration issue". The divide on this issue rips at the core of their corruptness...it pits the big money "corporatists" vs. the racists and xenophobes. This bill has been hurting McCain on one side as being "too moderate", while it gives the microphone to a loony like Tancredo who just whips up more hatred. The longer these morons fight about this bill the more Hispanic votes they lose and more accrimony falls within their tent.

For years, we'd cry about being triangulated on issues...like the bankruptcy bill, where vulnerable Democrats were forced into no-win votes...now here's how being in the majority works in our favor!

My hopes are next year that every week the Repugnicans in the Senate have to debate or vote on yet another booosh "tar baby"...something or someone so unpopular they constantly have to defend their votes. They started this shit...now let's give it back to them in spades!!!

[Johonny]

5. I love this

Afterall they just helped the president on the AG vote. Surely the president will help THEM out. When are the republicans in congress going to figure out Bush doesn't respect them either. Why should he respect a group of people that have never shown any need to be respected.

[annabanana]

7. I can't wait to hear the fallout from the scheduled arm twisting. . .

You KNOW B*sh is going to get all pissy and indignant. You KNOW the Senators are going to speak to him like he's not used to..

Gawd, I would love to be a fly on the wall for this one.