Sugar beet farmers think twice about Bush (Minnesota)

[JoFerret]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040925/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_midwest_sugar&cid=694&ncid=2043

ADA, Minn. - Sugar beet farmers in a rural Minnesota district that turned out solidly for President Bush in 2000 are having second thoughts about his re-election now that the administration is supporting a trade agreement they see as a threat.

"That is overshadowing everything," said Diane Ista, a community activist and longtime Democrat who grows sugar beets on a farm in Norman County.

That could make the difference in the state Bush lost to Democratic candidate Al Gore by fewer than 6,000 votes. Winning Minnesota's 10 electoral votes this year depends on turning out the sort of support Bush received in the 7th District, which the Republican carried by nearly 15 percentage points.

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[Kolesar]

1. Sweet!

"Diane and Richard Ista are among those worried that their farm could be compromised by the Central American Free Trade Agreement. CAFTA would reduce trade tariffs between the United States and several Central American countries. In the Red River Valley, where more than one-fifth of the nation's sugar is produced, such a deal raises concern — and ire.


"This is a very important issue," said Lynn Johnson, a political independent who voted for Bush in 2000. "We're talking about something that could cost you part of your livelihood."


Most beet farmers are leaning toward Democratic candidate John Kerry (news - web sites), said Victor Krabbenhoft, chairman of the board of directors of Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative and a Bush supporter in 2000. Kerry could guarantee votes by making it clear he would take sugar out of the trade agreement, Krabbenhoft said.


"That could get him support in the 7th District like you wouldn't believe," Krabbenhoft said. "

edit: Star-Tribune article: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x897818

These trade agreements are an issue that Democrats can win with. It is great that we have businessmen and labor on our side on this issue.

[maxsolomon]

2. if you lose sugar beet farmers, you ain't winnin'

they're as GOP as you can get - i know some in eastern montana.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. Why is that?

[havocmom]

4. Hey there, maxsolomon, have you seen any bush/cheney 04 bumper stickers

near any farmers? I live in eastern MT and I haven't seen a single sign or bumper sticker for the junta.

[maxsolomon]

6. sister in law's stepfather is an old school republican

they have a couple hundred thousand acres in sugar beets outside sidney mt. i always thought that's GOP country, seeing as montana is so solid red (except for missoula)

i'm glad to hear your report, it gives me hope that rural america is pulling their head out of their ass.

[0007]

5. Kerry will carry Minnesota, trust me!

[Berserker]

7. Sugar beet farmer's

Fuck them. You mean to tell me after what this country has been through these past 4 years with this Regime they now feel the squeeze in there pocket books and now see why they might not vote for smirky. It goes far deeper than your bottom line you narrow minded RW loving beet farming bastards. How about giving a shit about the future of this country.

[Cha]

9. I know what you Mean! But that's what many

said would happen..that bush would be ousted only if it HIT HOME IN THEIR POCKETBOOKS!

[robcon]

8. It's about time

The quota system for keeping imported sugar out of the U.S. is despicable, IMO. The U.S. is the largest exporter of food in the world - the restriction of imported sugar is a political payoff to the sugar farmers that is unjustifiable and hpycritical.

edit: typo