How shameful is it that our House of Representatives approved this vote so easily? 285-132. This is a blow to labor activists everywhere.
Why so many Democrats would back Peru FTA (litearlly called the NAFTA-expansion) is shameful. Are you confused? I am too. But we still have one more chance: the filibuster!
Or, a hold!
I will update this as I accumulate more information. But here's what we can try to assume, based off the CAFTA vote of 2005
All Republicans and Democrats who voted for CAFTA will vote for Peru FTA, minus the 7 who retired or lost in 2006 plus Joe Lieberman.
That is 48 votes. Of the 7 who lost or retired, only one was replaced with an absolute free trade (Frist -> Corker), so that is 49 votes. Craig Thomas of Virginia voted against it, and was replaced with Republican pawn Barrasso who will likely support it. 50 votes. Cheney could break the tie.
Among the Democrats who voted against CAFTA, Clinton and Obama have already anounced their support. That brings us to 52 votes in favor, which assures its passage..
if a few people in favor skip the vote.
There are many Republicans who voted against CAFTA that I'm sure could freely vote for Peru FTA (9 currently sitting Republican senators, Graham-SC is most likely to keep a fair trade record so make that 8).
That puts them at 60 votes. That assumes the defectors Feinstein and Schumer don't shaft us again by giving Bush more of what he wants. So the chance of reaching cloture... well they have a good 60 votes assuming parallels to the CAFTA vote.
Our defense can be a filibuster by amendments, I assume this can be amended since Fast Track expired.
Our best defense is a hold. If your Democratic senator voted against CAFTA or was elected in 2006, please contact them via email or phone. They are:
Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cardin (D-MD)
Casey (D-PA)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobachar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Metzenbaum (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Here is how you may contact them. I have boldened the Senators that campaigned on fair trade or are extremely progressive leaders, all in my own opinion. Also, everyone elected in 2006 was boldened.
I think I have everyone. If anyone knows any Senator on my list that has claimed support, or any Republicans who have specifically announced opposition, please write it in the comments so I can either add or remove them to the list.