I have to admire President Bush's speech last night on immigration. It was not particularly eloquent, but it was sensible, well-crafted and persuasive.

The President began with an admirable summary of the core issue:

"We are a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. We’re also a nation of immigrants, and we must uphold that tradition, which has strengthened our country in so many ways. These are not contradictory goals. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time. We will fix the problems created by illegal immigration, and we will deliver a system that is secure, orderly, and fair."

And then he offered five specific proposals to reconcile America's being a nation of laws with being a nation of immigrants.

In dealing with a highly inflammtory issue, with extremists on both sides, President Bush was clearly intent on appealing to the middle ground. Logicians would say that he went between the horns of a dilemma: He did not endorse the harsh, repressive measures against illegal immigrants demanded by one group of extremists, and yet he did not go as far as offering the general amnesty demanded by those at the other extreme.

It remains to be see how President Bush's proposals will fare in Congress, but I think his speech last night has enhanced their prospects for passage.

Note to aspiring speechwriters: Study this one.