"It's ironic that the Democrats are trying to characterize President Bush and the Republicans as isolationists. It's President Bush who is leading the effort to get trade promotion authority through the U.S. Congress. Trade promotion authority is the key to unlocking new export markets for U.S. agriculture, manufactured goods and services. Trade promotion authority is vital to maintaining U.S. economic leadership in the world. It seems hypocritical for Democratic party to be criticizing President Bush for his leadership abroad when it is they who have stymied our efforts here at home to get the President the tools he needs to lead.
"It's easy to criticize but hard to take responsibility for the tough, sometimes unpopular, decisions which benefit this great nation. If the Democratic leadership wants to do more than criticize, I would call upon them to set a date certain to take up legislation granting the President trade promotion authority in the Senate this year. Scheduling a vote on trade promotion authority would show real leadership and speak much louder than words ever could."