Pelosi & Rangel Wavering on Colombia Free Trade Deal?

While a chorus of Democrats from industrial states is criticizing President Bush's decision to push forward with the lobbyist-written Colombia Free Trade Agreement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel look like they are wavering on their opposition. Here's the snippet of their press release that is the tell-tale sign:

"President Bush’s statement today regarding his unprecedented decision to send a free trade agreement to Congress without following established protocols of Congressional consultation is counter-productive, jeopardizing prospects for its passage."

Notice that "jeopardizing prospects for its passage" doubletalk. As you know, the House Speaker could lobby against the bill, and even work to prevent it from being voted on - moves that would guarantee its defeat. But instead, we're getting doublespeak statements about Bush's move merely "jeopardizing" the bill's passage. Keep your eye on this kind of talking out of both sides of the mouth - it may yet increase under the onslaught of lobbyist pressure that is going to begin today.

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