This New York Times story makes it sound like it is still up-in-the-air whether there will be a deal on McCain. That’s not the buzz I’m hearing from both opponents and supporters of the amendment. The word is that a deal is very close and it will represent a near total capitulation by the administration. As of this moment I’m hearing that it might not even include a retroactive immunity for anyone who participated in the soon-to-be-banned practices. This is how badly the administration is losing–or, has lost–this debate: it will be lucky to protect our own interrogators from potential prosecution.