[hedgetrimmer]

1. LaTourette had said he voted for CAFTA in order to eliminate plywood tariffs that were squeezing KraftMaid, the Middlefield- based kitchen cabinet maker. Without some relief, LaTourette said, KraftMaid might have to move jobs out of the United States

2. a document listing base tariffs, provided by [USTR]Portman's office ... made it appear as if KraftMaid and others are indeed paying 8 percent tariffs on the plywood they import from Central America.

3.due to other trade regulations, Central American plywood already is exempt from tariffs due; that no company is getting dinged, let along squeezed, by such purported tariffs,

4.Portman told him that it was not until well after the CAFTA vote that Portman's office sent LaTourette the document that listed base tariffs

5. LaTourette did not have the document from Portman at the time of the vote. But he said LaTourette had basically the same information because his office had looked it up on the trade representative's Web site.

6.after the CAFTA vote that Portman's office had called to ask if LaTourette wanted anything, implying that perhaps a bridge or construction project might be available for his district.

[hedgetrimmer]

CAFTA-- lies and bribes lead to passage.

CAFTA PING

If you want on or off the list, let me know.

[Paleo Conservative]

So now he starts acting as if he has Tourettes's syndrome?

[isom35]

LaTourette? isnt that the teacher that married the kid? or am I thinking of Latourette's syndrome?

[1rudeboy]

But he said LaTourette had basically the same information because his office had looked it up on the trade representative's Web site.

Must've skipped right over the spot on the homepage that states, "Nearly 80% of imports from Central America and the D.R. already enter the U.S. duty-free."

[Willie Green]

But U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman apparently is touchy about how people see his role in a matter that has blown up in LaTourette's face.

Who gives a rat's patoot?

Bottom line: BOTH idiots worked to undermine domestic businesses and industries.
This stupid finger-pointing squabble is just a diversion from that fact.

[bayourod]

He's just trying to fool the labor unions.

Ohio is a rust belt state because of their pro labor union, anti-business laws. Despite their tremendous natural resources, strategic location, industrial base and skilled labor force they will continue to lose jobs to the Sun Belt states.

And it has nothing to do with the weather.