Growing a Spine

The Washington Times's Stephen Dinan and Brian DeBose are reporting that the Senate has heard from their constituents on funding the border fence. As a result of their constituents' demands, the Senate has passed the bill funding the border fence.
The Senate did an abrupt about-face yesterday, voting overwhelmingly to begin paying for 370 miles of fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers on the U.S.-Mexico border, just three weeks after voting against the same spending. The amendment's sponsor said senators were so embarrassed by that July 13 vote that most felt they had to reverse course and vote for it this time, especially after so many were on record in May voting to build the fence in the first place. The amendment, which provides nearly $2 billion for the project, passed 94-3, with 66 senators switching from "no" to "yes" votes since last month.
It's amazing what a good shot of voter outrage will do to change a politician's mind. That's exactly what happened in this instance:
"I think people wanted to get right," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican. "People heard from their constituents after they voted to authorize the fence in May and then voted against funding it a couple of weeks ago."
I suspect he's right because the vast majority of the senators who voted for funding the fence this time were the lefty open borders types. If there wasn't a groundswell for enforcement first legislation, 66 senators wouldn't have changed their minds within a month. It's also worth noting that they passed this right before they returned home for a monthlong recess.

This proves the old axiom that when the people lead, their leaders will follow. It also proves that a politician's strongest instinct is the survival instinct.


Posted Thursday, August 3, 2006 9:58 PM

July 2006 Posts

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