Steel Deal Could Burn Bush

[Seneca]

Steel Deal Could Burn Bush

(CBS/AP) Administration officials say President Bush's decision to put aside his free-trade policies and impose heavy steel tariffs could be backfiring, and may be dumped, a newspaper reports.

However, a key senator says he expects the White House will keep tariffs on foreign-made steel in place — but tweak them to ease prices for consumers.

The heavy tariffs on imported steel were intended to help out struggling mills in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, two states crucial for Mr. Bush's reelection.

However, 18 months later, key administration officials tell The Washington Post they have concluded that the presidential order was a mistake. Some economists say the tariffs, by driving up costs for automakers and other steel users, may have cost more jobs than they saved.

More: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/19/politics/main574190.shtml

[Ramsey]

1. That's what happens

When your policies are SOLELY driven by the campaign and not by rational assessment of the pros and cons. That is why all of Bush's policies are such a disaster. Almost every single one is a blatant attempt to pay back or woo some narrow constituent group.

[Seneca]

2. and he said he wouldn't be driven by polls!

Of course, to borrow from that old joke about lawyers, you can tell when Bush lies: his lips move. :-)

[sham]

3. or as my grandmother would have said...

He's "robbing Peter to pay Paul."

[Seneca]

4. furthermore

I was waiting to see what would become of this policy. He tried selective protectionism, which is bound to cause a backlash, in this case, with the automakers. Even armchair economists warned of this potential consequence. Now it has come to pass.

Will anyone outside of PA or WV notice? More jobs lost than created - the enduring legacy of both Bushes.

[VolcanoJen]

5. Dupe... locking

Please continue discussion by posting in the original, earliest LBN thread on this topic, which can be found here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=122096

Thanks!
VolcanoJen
DU Moderator