I Repeat: They're Not Trying to Kill It - They're Trying to Pass It

As I keep saying [1], Democrats' move to delay the Colombia Free Trade Deal is not a move to kill the bill and take a stand for human rights abroad and a just economic policy at home - it is a move to make sure the bill can ultimately pass. Here's the New York Times with more evidence [2]:

Ms. Pelosi and other Democrats said their intent was not to kill the agreement. Instead, they portrayed the vote as a response to what they saw as heavy-handedness by the administration — coupled with an effort to force President Bush to consider some domestic economic initiatives to soften opposition to the trade pact.

Even though a majority of Democrats are opposed to further trade deals, under the right conditions, a sufficient number of them could probably be found to join with Republicans in approving the pact with Colombia. The agreement with Peru passed in that fashion last year.

“Globalization can be a good thing; trade can be a good thing,” said Representative Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, a member of the Democratic leadership and a frequent trade advocate. (emphasis added)

As NAFTA-architect-turned-investment-banker-turned-lawmaker Rahm Emanuel spews his doubletalk, keep reminding yourself: They aren't trying to stop it, they're trying to pass it...they aren't trying to stop it, they're trying to pass it...How many times do we have to be fooled by poorly executed and unconvincing tricks before we wake up and say enough is enough?