The Senate immigration bill has been shot down more times than Freddy Kruger and, just like Freddy, it keeps on chugging along.  It’s back, and this time Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid thinks he’s found the right plan to buy the votes he needs to pass it.

In a little-use tactic, Reid is going to personally pick and choose the amendments he will allow to be introduced (the ones needed to buy the votes he needs), and introduce them all at once, breaking them up on the floor, then forcing a vote.  The tactic is called a “clay pigeon” after the targets used in skeet shooting.

This is a dangerous precedent to set since it gives the majority leader the power to pick and choose with amendments can be introduced and debated rather than the going through the normal channels of debate the Senate is known for.  But, by thinking only about the moment rather than the future, this is the path chosen by Reid.  This tactic runs serious risk of turning the Senate into nothing more than a smaller version of the House of Representatives.  But when your ultimate goal is to subvert the system and get your way at any cost, the long-term doesn’t really matter.

The impact of this tactic and, more importantly, the impact on Congress of ignoring the clear majority of Americans, will be felt for some time. 

Congressional approval ratings are in the tank, as is John McCain’s Presidential campaign.

In steps Newt. 

Gingrich, never at a loss for words, even when his words don’t make any sense (like his becoming a champion for global warming and massive government spending on health care over markets), has put together a web ad on the immigration bill. 

(The man you are about to see isn’t going to decide if he’s running for President until late September…he’s just going to act like he is until then.)