Withthe government shutdown ended, the conventional wisdom is that the RepublicanParty’s strategy backfired.  The RepublicanParty’s approvalratings have plummeted with the American public.   

Moremoderate forces, suchas Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Paul Ryan (R-WI), and Eric Cantor (R-VA)think ComprehensiveImmigration Reform may be the way for the Republicans  to stop the falling polling numbers. 

Thepolitics on this will be the key.  On onehand, this may be Maj. Leader John Boehner’s (R-OH) last chance to salvage hislegacy.  On the other hand, a substantialrift has developed within the GOP ranks. Tea Party members, whose unofficial leadership includes Sen. Ted Cruz(R-TX) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), contend that the shutdown strategy waseffective and likely will not seek to compromise on immigration reform.  One interesting development may be that whileSen. Cruz remains popular, Sen.Lee’s own ratings have plunged.  Hisfellow Utah Senator, Orrin Hatch (R-UT), has refusedto endorse him for re-election.

TheDemocrats seem like they are ready to deal. If Pres. Obama and the Democratic leadership can get a compromise on immigrationit would cement two of Pres. Obama’s prime domestic policy aims.  The next few weeks will be important.  No pundits believe that a ComprehensiveImmigration Reform bill that drags into 2014 has much of a chance at survival.