Immigration is an election year issue designed to force a wedge back in between the Americans who have coalesced around a common disdain for the current incarnation of our democracy. In an election year, Rovian politics sees no value in uniting the country around a good idea.  Good ideas don't drive turnout, divisive ones do.  So why give the speech?

President Bush may have just talked about immigration for 17 minutes but his speech was about his presidency.

I hear through the grapevine that Netroots favorite son Eric Massa is polling well these days.  People like him, think he is electable, and respond to his message.  When you look at the numbers, though, Massa is in trouble and he is going to need our help.

To date, Massa has raised more than $86,000 through Act Blue--fully a third of his money.  His campaign is being made possible by the netroots, which have adopted him because of his record and his blog-engagement strategy.