The Post editorial board, by the way, supports the stem cell research bill and has asked both Colorado Senators to vote for it.

• On immigration: Rove says he could see the President agreeing to a "phasing in" of his guest worker program after an enforcement bill is in place. And here's a crummy idea under consideration:

Rove was receptive to proposals by some congressional Republicans to establish checkpoints at ports of entry to the United States, where existing illegal immigrants would have to go to register, pay a penalty and show proof of employment. He said that such checkpoints didn't necessarily have to be on the border, but could be located at airports in Denver or Los Angeles, for example, or at ports of entry like New Orleans.

• Rove says the tide will turn for Republicans and they will maintain control of Congress in 2006. He predicts "surprise upsets." As to public sentiment on Iraq, he says:

....though the public is sour on the ongoing costs of the war, the new Iraqi government "looks like (it will be) able to get this job done," Rove said. As long as there are signs of progress, "at the end of the day, ... the American people do not want the U.S. to be defeated."

From his sit-down, Rove was headed off to yet another Republican fundraiser in Parker, Colorado.

[via Instapundit.)