Republicans want Dems' help on Colombia deal

Excerpts from his blog,

Postman on Politics

Republicans in the state's congressional delegation want Democrats to join them in protesting Speaker Nancy Pelosi's move to put off a vote on a Colombia free-trade agreement.

A letter to Pelosi was circulated among the delegation by Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, just back from a weekend trip to Colombia. Republican Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Spokane and Doc Hastings of Pasco signed the letter that reads:

"Free trade is critical to our state's economy and workers. We represent the most trade-dependent state in the nation. ... Delaying free-trade agreements signals to our allies that America is closed for trade, and encourages our rivals to exploit new markets. This is unequivocally the wrong message to send in this time of economic uncertainty."

No Democrats have signed on. Reichert says if the situation were reversed, he'd be willing to help Democrats.

"Many times when Republicans were in the majority, my colleagues would call on me to go to my leadership to help the state, for instance when we learned of language that would allow supertankers onto Puget Sound," Reichert said in a statement.

"Today, I urge all of my colleagues in the Washington delegation — including Gov. [Christine] Gregoire — to join together and reject the Speaker's effort to shelve this vital measure," he said.

President Bush has been pushing Congress to approve the deal. And as recently as last week, it appeared a vote could be taken soon in the House.

The Associated Press reports that most Democrats, backed by organized labor and some human-rights groups, are against the Colombia deal.

The Democrats have cited violence against union organizers in Colombia and said they won't consider further trade agreements until Congress passes legislation to help American workers displaced by foreign trade, the AP says.

Reichert was in Colombia on a bipartisan trip arranged by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. He met there with supporters and opponents of the Colombian Free Trade Agreement.

Before the trip, Reichert Chief of Staff Mike Shields said Colombia is a "success story."

"Is it perfect? No. But it has made improvements, and it is our friend and ally in that part of the world, particularly when they have a neighbor who is fashioning himself to be a Fidel Castro for that part of the world," Shields said.

Democrats plan

nominating conventions

State Democrats say they will hold a series of nominating conventions to anoint their chosen candidates for the August primary.

It's the party's attempt to have its members pick candidates after the U.S. Supreme Court decision that authorized the state to hold its first "top-two" primary.

Under the new state primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of their party identification. In Seattle, that could mean two Democrats facing off in some legislative races in November.

Candidates can list their party preference on the ballot. But Secretary of State Sam Reed has said the Democratic and Republican parties cannot designate a chosen candidate on the primary ballot, even if they hold nominating conventions.

The party-backed candidates can list the designation in voters pamphlets and in advertising.

In May, Democrats will hold legislative-district, county and congressional-district nominating conventions. Statewide candidates will be nominated at the state convention in June.

Each convention will nominate one Democrat for each partisan office by majority vote, the party said in a statement. The votes will be cast by elected and appointed precinct-committee officers.

This material has been edited for print publication.

David Postman is The Seattle Times' chief political reporter. Reach him at 360-236-8267 or at dpostman@seattletimes.com