Mitt Romney was quick to release the following statement on the Senate's immigration cloture vote earlier today:

"The immigration bill failed because the politicians in Washington are out of touch with the American people. The voice of the people is loud and clear - secure the border, enforce the law and no special deal for permanent residency or citizenship for illegals. America will always welcome legal immigration, but as a nation we also insist on the rule of law."

Still waiting on statements from other Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.

UPDATE I: Rudy Giuliani just released the following:

"Today a majority in the Senate made clear this bill shortchanged the American people by failing to end illegal immigration and failing to secure our borders. The bill did not deserve to move forward.

"As I have said before, this bill - which I believed was based more on compromise than on principle - failed to do several basic things, including: securing our borders, creating a uniform tamper-proof ID card for all foreign workers and students, establishing a single nationwide database of foreigners, and mandating the full implementation of a biometric 'check in-check out' system.

"The legislation was a hodgepodge at best, and I believe it would have ultimately made our country less secure.

I urge the President to use the authority and funds at his disposal to do everything possible to end illegal immigration and secure our borders."

UPDATE II: Senator Sam Brownback's statement:

"We need comprehensive immigration reform, but the country is not accepting of this bill," Brownback stated. "We need to listen to the American people on both timing and substance. We need to help 'the widow and orphan and foreigner amongst us,' but must do so in a way and at a time the American people support. This is not yet the right way. We should let the topic rest for now while we work diligently to secure our borders. Americans support legal immigration, not illegal immigration. We desire to be compassionate but demand adherence to the rule of law.

"I became convinced along with many of my colleagues on the floor that this version of the immigration bill was not, and would not become the vehicle that would fix our broken system as I had hoped."

Incidentally, a few people have taken notice of the fact that Brownback voted "aye" on cloture this morning and then switched his vote to "nay" eleven minutes later.

UPDATE III: Senator John McCain's statement:

"I am disappointed that the Senate was unable to conclude its debate on comprehensive immigration reform. However, the American people will not settle for the status quo - de facto amnesty and broken borders.

“I am hopeful that we will have another chance to address this critical national security issue that affects people throughout our country. In the meantime, we must keep working to secure our borders while we continue fighting to reform our unenforceable immigration laws."

UPDATE IV: Senator Chris Dodd's statement:

"I am deeply disappointed that the Senate voted against the motion to invoke cloture on S. 1639. With over 12 million undocumented workers in America, a dysfunctional immigration system, and broken borders, our country is facing an immigration crisis that undermines the rule of law, divides families and threatens our national security. The American people expected this Congress to find a workable and comprehensive solution to resolve this crisis. This bill was far from perfect, especially in terms of the guest worker program and family unification. But it offered us an opportunity to move beyond the status quo and fix some of these problems including by investing billions of dollars in border security and practically dealing with the undocumented population. Moreover, by proceeding with the bill and potentially going to conference with the House, we would have had a further opportunity to address some of its shortcomings. Instead, with the bill's defeat, our nation is less secure, our immigration crisis will only fester and deepen, and we have reverted to a silent form of amnesty by doing absolutely nothing. The President has spoken time and again of the importance of achieving comprehensive immigration reform. This was meant to be his signature domestic issue. As this vote made crystal clear today, he failed to deliver as did his party. The President's inability to lead on this issue, as on Iraq, has once again come at an enormous cost to this nation."

UPDATE V: Governor Bill Richardson's statement:

"I am deeply disappointed. You can't solve a problem by ignoring it. We have got to find a way to bridge the divide and bring people together to address the critical problems facing our nation -- immigration, energy, healthcare, education.

"This is the price America pays for divisive leadership. Congress should continue to work on passing immigration reform."

UPDATE VI: Governor Jim Gilmore's statement:

The American people, who have a very strong sense of right and wrong, knew from day one this bill was not what its sponsors said it was -- and that it was the wrong solution for the immigration challenges facing our nation.

They understood the only compromising this legislation did was compromise their economic and national security. The American people stood up and made their voices heard.

We simply cannot afford to provide amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants while the American people struggle to make ends meat (sic).

Looks like Governor Gilmore could use a proofreader. Better yet, someone who could transcribe his comment without making that mistake in the first place.