Nor was it enough for them to allege ignorance, bigotry, racism, and the like on the part of their own conservative base for their opposition to the plan – invectives that were easily proven false by simply sampling actual conservative opinion on the subject. Nor was it their newfound coziness with Democrats, whose political motives cannot be said to include doing what's best for Republicans, but which warmly bask in the slander of conservatives, in pushing for this legislation.
It is all those things in conjunction with Tuesday's vote to restart debate on the legislation, which would grant amnesty to about 10 million illegal aliens and in the long run result in the largest expansion of the welfare state in 35 years. The Ninny prize committee is interested in a proven track record of bewildering ill deeds and missteps, not a temporary taking leave of one's senses.
Without further ado, here are our nominees:
President Bush and those Republicans voting yea on the cloture motion: Bob Bennett (Utah), Kit Bond (Missouri), Sam Brownback (Kansas), Richard Burr (North Carolina), Norm Coleman (Minnesota), Susan Collins (Maine), Larry Craig (Idaho), Pete Domenici (New Mexico), John Ensign (Nevada), Lindsey Graham (South Carolina), Judd Gregg (New Hampshire), Chuck Hagel (Nebraska), Jon Kyl (Arizona), Trent Lott (Mississippi), Richard Lugar (Indiana), Mel Martinez (Florida), John McCain (Arizona), Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Olympia Snowe (Maine), Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania), Ted Stevens (Alaska), George Voinovich (Ohio), and John Warner (Virginia).
At this point, these nominations are preliminary based on the outcome and final vote on the legislation itself. More Republicans can insert themselves for preliminary consideration in the Ninny contest by voting on the second, final cloture vote Thursday. The committee acknowledges the possibility that Senate Republicans could remove themselves from Ninny award consideration by voting against cloture on Thursday, which could delay a final vote on the legislation.
Till then, the Ninny prize committee wishes to encourage all nominees so far to keep up the bad work. Your diligence will be rewarded some day.