Immigration vote to spawn 'American Revolution of 2008,' says activist

Immigration vote to spawn 'American Revolution of 2008,' says activist

An immigration reform activist is anticipating a concerted effort by grassroots organizations to get rid of those members of Congress who still don't pay attention to the wishes of a majority of Americans who are fed up with illegal immigration. She predicts that some of those who supported the controversial amnesty bill that was killed last week could be out of a job come election time.

Only 46 senators ultimately voted to move forward with the bill, after the Capitol Hill switchboard was overwhelmed with callers who vehemently opposed amnesty for millions of immigrants who are currently in the country illegally. Susan Tully, national field director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), says lawmakers like Norm Coleman (R-Minnesota), Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), and Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) heard the people and realized their political careers were toast if they supported amnesty.

"Coleman from Minnesota voted [to kill the bill]," she explains. "He's the most vulnerable senator up for re-election in 2008 that the Republicans have. He did the right thing," she continues, "and I think that the people of Minnesota made their voices heard to him, [telling him] 'you're done if you don't do the right thing.'"

As for Senator Brownback? "We were all watching him," says Tully, "because he's a presidential candidate -- and he had been put on notice that if he voted the wrong way that his presidential campaign was over."

The FAIR spokeswoman expects the voters will remember who did support the measure. "The activists are calling this the 'American Revolution of 2008,'" she shares. "It's time to get rid of these people in office who are still not paying attention and are so disconnected with the American citizens, and its time they just be replaced."

Tully says she hopes voters in Nevada will bring Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid home the next time he is up for re-election. Reid was among the 46 who voted to move forward with the legislation.