We have two polls from Rasmussen, the polling agency I consider to be the best in the business.

The first covers George Bush's approval rating since the immigration bill hit the news. It has already hit a new low, but guess what? It has gone even lower now and at this rate, he may be in the twenties in another week or two,

"After three straight days at the lowest level ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports, President Bush's Job Approval ratings slipped another point to another new low on Tuesday.

Just 33% of American adults now Approve of the way that George W. Bush is performing his duties as President. Prior to this past week, the President's ratings had never slipped below 35% and had only reached that level for a day or two at a time. Now, his Job Approval has been at the 35% level or below for six straight days. Rasmussen Reports updates the President's Job Approval ratings every day by noon Eastern.

The President's ratings tumble each time immigration reform dominates the news because he loses support among his base--just 66% of Republicans now give him their approval (that matches the lowest level of support he's ever received from his base)."

Republican senators would be wise to pay attention to phrases like "lowest level ever recorded" & "lowest level of support he's ever received from his base." Does a party that's already in the minority really want to tie its boots to this anchor and then head out to surf for votes in 2008?

Not if they're smart.

Then, there's this poll from Rasmussen.

"Initial public reaction to the immigration proposal being debated in the Senate is decidedly negative.

A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey conducted Monday and Tuesday night shows that just 26% of American voters favor passage of the legislation. Forty-eight percent (48%) are opposed while 26% are not sure. The bi-partisan agreement among influential Senators and the White House has been met with bi-partisan opposition among the public. The measure is opposed by 47% of Republicans, 51% of Democrats, and 46% of those not affiliated with either major party."

So, Republican voters hate it, Democrat voters hate it, and Independent voters hate it -- but Republican senators are going to vote for it? Do the math here...

48% oppose it, 26% support it, and 26% aren't sure. So, this bill is opposed by the American people almost 2 to 1 and let's face it, with the incredibly negative coverage this bill is generating on the right and the lukewarm support it's getting on the left, there's no way the undecided voters that are left are going to do anything but break heavily towards opposing the bill.

I think these numbers answer the "which do people want more, enforcement first or comprehensive reform" question once and for all, very definitively.