Charles Schumer: Democratic Sen

Lindsey Graham Dept: WASHINGTON The eight senators meet in private several times a week, alternating between Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer offices. They sit in armchairs arranged in a circle and sip water or soft drinks as they debate such issues as temporary workers and border security. In a capital riven by partisanship and gridlock, they are determined to be the exception and get something done, according to The Chronicle Herald. I tell you what, this is one of the best experiences I ve had. Everybody serious, everybody knowledgeable, they ve been around the issue, said Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, up for re-election next year and facing a potential Republican primary challenge from the right and This is immigration reform bipartisan Gang of Eight. With them lies the best hope in years for overhauling the nation byzantine immigration laws. That partly why they are, by all accounts, working amazingly well together as a self-imposed deadline approaches for their sweeping legislation to be released. The progress is happening even though the group includes failed and prospective presidential candidates, one lawmaker dogged by scandal and another facing a re-election challenge that could be complicated by his stance on immigration. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.