So Russell Pearce and Steve Gallardo will testify before Chuck Schumer’s Senate committee today, the theatrical preface to the very serious Supreme Court hearing tomorrow.

We all know what’s gonna happen:

Pearce — who never met a complete sentence he ever liked — will mumble away about how effective the law’s been, how the Feds have abrogated their immigration responsibility, how the law just helps with immigration enforcment.

You can be sure he’ll cite dubious “statistics,” like the one he’s already said he’ll cite:  the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association’s (PLEA) claim that 1070 has reduced crime in Phoenix.  Of course, PLEA doesn’t actually have proof of that, but proof never really matters to Pearce.  The Republicans on the committee — including our very own Jon Kyl — will try to defend him.

And Gallardo?  Well, he’ll be strident, and speak in generalities, and have the Dems on his side. 

Each guy knows his role and will play the part as well as they can.

And Schumer?  He finishes off the Kabuki Theater.

He knows the testimony has zip effect on anything.  Including the this-ain’t-goin’-nowhere bill he’s planning to introduce.

The one that would reverse the substance of 1070.

The one Schumer knows has zip chance of becoming law.

But the one Schumer hopes will help court Hispanic voters in the fall election.

To sum up:  Schumer’s having worthless hearings to set up a bill he knows won’t pass so he can use that to help Dems in the fall.

Ain’t democracy grand!