Steel tariffs likely a wash for Bush

Washington Times ^ | Friday, December 5, 2003 | Stephen Dinan

[JohnHuang2]

President Bush's decision to end steel tariffs will hurt him politically in some key steel-producing states but will help him in steel-using states.

In addition, he will avoid the politically devastating prospect of an international trade war.

"I think it augurs well both politically and economically," said Rep. Joe Knollenberg, Michigan Republican, whose district has thousands of employees in manufacturing industries that rely on steel.

[JohnHuang2]

Friday, December 5, 2003

Quote of the Day by UCANSEE2

[squidly]

Mr. Bush's initial decision to impose tariffs didn't seem to win him new supporters..... "The steelworkers endorsed [Democratic presidential candidate Richard A.] Gephardt,

Indeed

[FirstPrinciple]

Are you somehow suggesting that political considerations were made to decide on a key economic policy by President Bush? You must be a Bush-hater and from DU.

[mylife]

GW was playing that Gray area of politics. He wasn't going to make any friends on either side with this one, but he had to do it in the national interest. protectionism is not likely to make conservatives happy and dropping the tariff doesn't make steelworkers happy. GW just removed some pressure from US steel until he couldn't keep the pressure off any longer. It was an unpopular move to shore up US steel long enough for Steel companys to restructure, it goes against the grain of true capitalists yet afforded temporary protection to US steel, a vital national interest.

[MissouriForBush]

Why accuse him of being a Bush hater? I think he is just reminding those who don't know of the fact that Gephardt is in bed with the labor unions. As a Republican party volunteer campaigner in Missouri, I can well remember how Gephardt's union thugs from St. Louis would show up at Republican party campaign appearances in rural areas solely for the purpose of intimidating people at the events. And let me tell you, these union dudes from St. Louis looked very out of place in rural Missouri, which is very Southern and more conservative than Missouri urban areas.

[MissouriForBush]

BTW, I noticed you have a recent sign-up date. Sometimes that can speak volumes about your posts.

[drumroller]

I was sorry to see this. But the reality of the world is that sometimes you have to "bite the bullet" which is what Bush did here...he should be applauded for it! Like Geppy is going to stand up to the Euros...I doubt it.

[squidly]

I'm assuming that you forgot the sarcasm tag. My point though, if I have one, is that this doesn't cost him politically, whether he made the decision based on politics or not.

[FirstPrinciple]

Sorry. I did forget the sarcasm tag, although I thought it was implicit.