The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

John Edwards of North Carolina was telling anyone who would listen that he believed in free trade. But presidential politics have clearly turned him around. Edwards last week voted against giving the Bush Administration fast-track authority to cut trade treaties. He cited the fact that several protectionist amendments that would have helped his state's textile industry were dropped as his rationale for voting against the trade bill. But those amendments were present this spring when he voted for the Senate version of fast-track. In fact only one other member of the North Carolina delegation, Republican Rep. Robin Hayes , voted against the fast track bill. /p>

"Everything Edward is doing now is seen through the prism of a presidential run," says a Senate Democratic staffer. "You see these guys on the floor, Daschle looking at Edwards, who's looking at Lieberman. Without a presidential candidacy, Edwards probably votes for the final version of the bill."

topics:
Trade