Politicians are expert at pissing in the wind on global trade and integration
Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 7:41PM ■"CAFTA in Peril on Capitol Hill: One Business Leader Gives Lawmakers an Ultimatum," by Thomas B. Edsall, Washington Post, 12 June 2005, p. A6.
■"Central American Trade Pact Passes First Congressional Test," by Elizabeth Becker, New York Times, 15 June 2005, p. C4.
■"European Charter's Architect Faults Chirac for Its Demise," by Elaine Sciolino, New York Times, 15 June 2005, p. A3.
■"Blair-Chirac Clash Could Paralyze EU: Disputes on Budget, Charter May Undermine U.K.'s Bid To Steer Bloc in Its Direction," by Marc Champion and Dan Bilefsky, Wall Street Journal, 15 June 2005, p. A13.
CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement) seems in danger in the House, but less so in the Senate (the usual rule). Dems are predicting a 90 percent against rate for their numbers in the House, even as business association reps like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Thomas J. Donahue promise financial (as in election campaign donations) retributions.
Watching the Dems on this one is like watching the French and Dutch on the EU Constitution. It is typically the out-of-power party in the Core that argues for go-slow on globalization, preying on people's pain and fears. Ross Perot and the Republicans did it plenty under Clinton, and now the Dems do it big time under Bush. Leading is all about the future, and when you're in power, it's hard to do anything but embrace globalization for the challenges it represents. But when you feel like you're falling behind in the game, like the French seem to feel across the board, then the best you can do is try and prevent the future for as long as possible.
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