An extraordinary interview in today’s Washington Times [Specter puts borders first By Stephen Dinan, June 27. 2006] reveals the man who, as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was the leading Republican promoter of the Kennedy-Bush Amnesty/Immigration Acceleration Bill in disorderly, almost comic retreat:

The security of the border should be the No. 1 priority for an immigration bill, Sen. Arlen Specter said yesterday, and he’s open to a compromise that sets goals for border and interior enforcement ahead of a guest-worker program and path to citizenship for illegal aliens…Mr. Specter said he is open to legislation that would make those proposals contingent on having a secure border and improved interior enforcement…Such an amendment was offered during the Senate floor debate, but failed by a vote of 55-40, with Mr. Specter joining most Democrats and some Republicans in defeating it.(VDARE.com emphasis)

Has he been frightened by Joe Guzzardi’s threat to attend his proposed hearings?

Amazingly, it appears that Specter (RINO-PA) might actually have followed the example of fellow Pennsylvanian Senator Santorum and listened to his constituents (a little):

The chairman said he is open to novel approaches to reducing illegal immigration, including a suggestion by Lou Barletta, the mayor of Hazleton, Pa., who says landlords should have to verify that their tenants are in the country legally, just as employers are supposed to verify that their workers are legal.

Where Hazelton leads, Washington follows?

While this is a credit to the determination of the Bill’s Congressional opponents, it is time for them to be especially wary. Specter has an atrocious record on immigration and has been associated with the most egregious abuses of it. The pro Amnesty forces are determined and many courtiers in the House will be eager to curry favor. Concessions are likely to be cosmetic and unenforced.

But they are clearly shaken. VDARE.com wants them to know: we are watching and we can think!