Believe it or not, m' fellow Tennessean, I disagree with several things Bush has said (or on his policies). Yeah, I can see why you'd find that shocking.

Anyway, I just don't buy the economy-will-suffer argument. After all, how much do we spend on upkeep for illegals (health, pursuits, government cheese varieties, etc.)?? If we got 'em outta' here, economically-speaking, it'd be, at worst, a "wash."

And yes, politics is politics, so you're probably correct on your observation regarding hurting the party. I don't like it, but it's the nature of the beast.