PREDICTION: McCain Will Not Be President

John McCain's fate in the 2008 Republican primary will be sealed with his No vote on the judicial nomination issue (see today's earlier post)... but just in case there is still doubt about his future McCain's immigration reform could finish him for good.

We're talking pure politics here... whether a guest worker program is a good or bad plan is beside the point; whether creating a system in which illegal immigrants in this country can move toward legal status is a good or bad idea is also beside the point... both are great questions and great issues, but for this post they're not relevant.

The point here is that both of these issues will destroy a Republican candidate's hopes of capturing the nomination.

McCain has teamed with Senator Ted Kennedy on the plan, which Roll Call recently said will include the two controversial proposals mentioned above.

If the McCain/Kennedy plan allows for illegal immigrants to gain legal status, he'll be done as a Republican candidate for President... he might as well switch parties. And while bipartisanship is important to Independents and moderates, conservative Republicans will also look at McCain's partnership with Kennedy as a sign that he is not a true Republican, as many have believed all along.