At least there are some positive side benefits to otherwise silly or downright ugly election year politics:

Bush signed the bill amid fanfare and before an South Lawn audience that included members of Congress, civil rights leaders and family members of civil rights leaders of the recent past. It was one of a series of high-profile ceremonies the president is holding to sign popular bills into law.

The Republican controlled Congress, eager to improve its standing with minorities ahead of the November elections, pushed the bill through even though key provisions were not set to expire until next year.

Now Congress should pass the Rush Holt Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act so Bush can sign it, too.