Here is a prime example why election year politics are so damned irritating. President Bush finally rescinded the hideous steel tariffs that free-traders across the political spectrum loudly denounced. The reaction from the Democratic candidates is essentially– “About time, we are the party that is really shitty on free trade:”
The Democratic candidates vying to unseat President Bush next year quickly seized on his decision Thursday to lift tariffs on steel imports, seeing it as an issue that will give them a political edge in key steel-producing states.
Party strategists said rescinding the tariffs had jeopardized Bush’s standing in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia
Terry
This is not a likely winner for the Dems. The tariffs were despised as adding to costs for many, many manufacturing activities that use a lot of steel, such as autos; even more importantly, small businesses were disproportionately hurt the most by the tariffs and lobbied the hardest to get them removed.
Charlie T.
I’d prefer that there were a Democrat making the strong case for free trade a la Clinton, but people like me have to accept that favoring free trade is a minority position in a party that I otherwise agree with on most things.
John Cole
Clinton had a pretty admirable record on trade, and I am not sure a Republican would have been able to get NAFTA passed at the time Clinton did.
greg
Last night on Hardball, Ed Rendell was ripping Bush’s decision to end the tariff’s, while at the same time saying “but I support free trade”.
now, obviously the Governor of Pennsylvania has to be a bit sensitive when it comes to the steel industry, but his explanation of why he supports the tariffs but is also a free-trader was a bit confusing.
Pauly
I don’t know about Ohio. There is a whole lot of auto-manufacturing and auto-related part jobs in this state, and this will help all of them. In addition, the fact that Bush has been to Ohio a mazillion times over the last 3 years won’t hurt either, including the 4th of July in Dayton this year and a few recent trips to Cincinnati.
greg
“…and auto related part jobs in this state”
that’s true. I know the auto parts company that Chris Farley was set to inherit in “Tommy Boy” was based in Ohio. (Sorry, it’s friday)
Ken Hahn
A strong Democrat might return West Virginia to its traditional alliance, but steel tariffs would hardly be decisive. I think it’s more likely Pennsylvania will go for Bush than Ohio for any Democrat. The tariffs were a political pander, I’m glad they’re gone.
CadillaqJaq
“I will be waiting for the condemnation of these candidates by my left wing friends who routinely bashed Bush over the steel tariffs…”
John, you may not have to wait long. It seems that todays Democrat/liberals will shoot at anything that moves, especially if it is connected to GWB. And more especially by the “Nonsensical Nine” who would seek to replace him.
Besides them being on both sides on the tariff issue, what exactly is the Democrat Party’s real policy on other important issues, such as Iraq for example?
A rhetorical question no doubt, because they are all over the spectrum on that too.
Signed: Weary in MI~~~
Harry
Not only were the steel tariffs poltical pandering Ken, but they pandering that didn’t work. The steelworkers went ahead and endorsed Gephart. Essentially the steelworkers union gave Bush the old FU even after he helped (pandered) them. I have never understood why Republicans continually attempt this stupid shit with socialist unions. It must be caused by the same disorder that causes Bush to go all stupid when he listens to the State Dept. or CIA.
Hell even a $2.00 hooker is smart enough not to give a hummer if she knows she won’t get paid in return. Sheesh.
Kimmitt
I was not impressed with Gov. Dean’s response, and I hope that he reconsiders it soon.