McCain blasts Colombia trade break-down

Presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) on Friday weighed in on the House's refusal to take up the Colombian trade deal fast-tracked by President Bush, saying he is "profoundly dismayed" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) prevented an up-or-down vote.

While McCain's rivals, Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.), both went to great lengths this week to condemn the bill — and the president for pushing it — McCain defended the proposed agreement, calling the country "a beacon of hope" in the fight against terrorism and the illegal drug trade.

{mosads}"It is critical that the United States meet its obligations and support an important ally in the battle against international narco-terrorism and a bulwark of democracy in Latin America," McCain said in a statement.

McCain said the agreement was "negotiated in good faith" by representatives of Colombia and the United States, and failure to act on it hurts the U.S. economy and standing in the world.

"Delaying approval of the Colombian free trade agreement will not create one American job or start one American business," he said. "But rejecting this agreement will undercut America's standing with our allies not only in a critical region but also across the world."

On Thursday, the House voted to eliminate a rule that would require a vote on the bill, a maneuver that likely kills the agreement this year. The administration and Republican congressional leaders criticized the move.

For the Democratic presidential candidates, the issue has caused headaches as they rush toward the crucial April 22 Pennsylvania primary where labor and blue-collar white voters are being heavily courted.

Clinton's senior strategist Mark Penn was forced to step down last weekend after it was revealed he met with Colombian government officials whom he was representing in his capacity as their lobbyist.

Following that revelation, union groups endorsing Obama called for Clinton to sever all ties with Penn, a call that was repeated Friday after Obama said he would have fired Penn immediately. 

The former chief strategist is staying on for now as a pollster for Clinton.