The President's Rotten Record on Trade.

• Author: Vanneman, Alan
• Position: Letters - Letter to the editor

Bruce Bartlett's article ("The President's Rotten Record on Trade," June) is sadly accurate. Because Republicans are operating on such a tight political margin, the Bush administration has basically conceded control of domestic issues in order to give itself a free hand in foreign affairs. Hence, a political machine based on pork, political favors, and protectionism.

The only powerful political force in favor of free trade is "big business" which insists on operating behind the scenes. If business leaders had the...