GOP Backs Down On Cash For Clunkers

Despite tough talk from Maverick McCain, the GOP is trading in its rhetoric on opposing Cash For Clunkers as the popularity of the program, the House's quick passage of a $2 trillion expansion, and the looming recess has neatly trapped them inside a clunker of a strategy.

The Senate will okay new funding for the "cash for clunkers" program before leaving this week for the August recess, Senate leaders from each party predicted Tuesday, clearing the way for the surprisingly popular program to continue uninterrupted.

"We'll pass cash for clunkers….before we leave here," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

"In the end, we know where the numbers are," acknowledged the third-ranking Senate Republican, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, a critic of the program who said now he expects all Democrats and several Republicans to vote for additional funding.

The predictions marked a turnaround from earlier in the week when opposition from both parties suggested quick passage was unlikely. But prospects changed as car makers and auto dealers, thrilled by suddenly crowded showrooms, pressed lawmakers to continue the funding.

Looks like the GOP has learned when to pick a fight after all, and this one was a loser across the board for them. Still, the Republicans may try to tack on amendments, effectively killing the program as legislation would have to wait a month before the House could reconcile any changes.

Question is does the GOP really, really want to spend a month explaining to constituents why they're killing the one part of the stimulus plan that's working beyond a shadow of a doubt? McCain might and DeMint might, but too many Republicans are going to vote for the thing as is.

Nope, they've wrecked this car, now they have to drive it.

[UPDATE 9:07 PM] ...But Glenn Beck says Cash For Clunkers will steal your soul!