The resulting standoff means nothing useful will pass this year.

The GOP leaders apparently believe their hard-line stand will pay off in November by propelling their otherwise disgruntled base to the polls. Perhaps. But in the long run, even that may backfire. California, two decades ago, was a reliable Republican state. Today, thanks in no small measure to an anti-immigration measure backed by then-Gov. Pete Wilson, California reliably votes Democratic.

Thumbs up

To the University of Minnesota’s veterinary school, for taking a new, refreshing approach in choosing students for admission. Instead of solely using applicants’ grades, the vet school considers personal traits and values as part of the admissions process. A committee actually interviews finalists.

It’s a practice every business uses in filling positions in a workplace. It makes sense to go beyond how people look on paper to consider how they interact with human beings.

It’s obvious the process wasn’t adopted to make entry easier for students. Only 90 students were picked from 900 applicants last fall. If done fairly, the process should be one that rewards applicants for being well-rounded, not just technically or academically prepared. Other institutions should think about doing the same.