They can send out for pizzas, tacos, bagels, shrimp fried rice, sushi, falafels and other all-American foods. But they must stay in the room until they have a deal.

This is not a job for staffers during the break. This is a job for the big boys. And it is particularly a personal job for the biggest boy, W. This is the last possible moment for the president. He must be in the room for days and make this historic legislation a done deal.

I don't want to pre-judge the deal. But any deal that includes, inter alia, an ironclad, bulletproof, fully funded and authorized, no smoke and mirror, non-ersatz, non phony baloney secure southern border is probably a winner. Any deal without that is a sure loser.

Former Republican Party Chairman Eddie Gillespie got that Republican search for common ground off to a thoughtful and conciliatory start in an article in Tuesday's Washington Times.

Once the president has started to provide such personal leadership, Republican congressmen and senators need to put aside all their complaints and misgivings and stand loudly and in unity behind the president across the board -- particularly on Iraq, Iran, leaks and electronic surveillance.

They have the W branded to their foreheads whether they like it or not. A Republican Party actively led by the president, united on the budget and some tax cuts, immigration and foreign policy, legislating vigorously and speaking out clearly and firmly on the rigorous demands of a dangerous world -- is what the country needs. It is certainly what the Party needs.

So, as in the song of yore, although Republicans are up to their necks in hot water, they should be like the kettle and sing.