Reply #28: Many Republicans were with Clinton on this vote

[slipslidingaway]

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2000/roll228.xml

Senate votes were more mixed
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00251


http://archives.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/05/23/pntr.wrap/index.html

"The Clinton Administration has sidled up to its regular adversaries, the members of the House Republican leadership, in a concentrated attempt to convince lawmakers that Wednesday's vote is the most important they will cast this session, and could be one of the most important of their legislative careers.

"The consequences of this vote will be felt after I am no longer president," Clinton said Tuesday afternoon. "Our country fought three wars in Asia in the last half-century. We ought to give our children a chance to have a different 50 years ahead."

President Bill Clinton's most trusted allies, however -- the congressional leaders of his own party -- are lining up for the most part against his position on this vote. They are spurred on by their supporters in the organized labor community, who argue that open trade with China would leech jobs away from the United States and would be rewarded for abusing its own workforce.

House Democratic Whip David Bonior (D-Michigan), who has led the charge for opponents of the trade deal, disputed any claims that backers of the trade deal had reached 218 'yes' votes, saying Tuesday afternoon, "Nobody has the votes yet. We can beat this thing."