I know this is provincial, but I find the split in LA's delegation *interesting*
For: McCrery (R-Bossier City), Alexander (R-Quitman), Baker (R-Baton Rouge), Jefferson (D-New Orleans)
Against: Boustany (R-Lake Charles), Jindal (R-Covington), Melancon (D-Houma)*
The north LA delegation was expected to vote for this; just as predictably, Boustany, representing Big Sugar in cajun country, was equally expected to vote against it. Jefferson, a black Democrat, usually votes GOP on free trade and anti-abortion issues.
But Jindal is a surprise: suburban New Orleans would benefit just as strongly from trade with Central America as the inner city would. And Jindal always struck me as a free marketeer.
*I forgot one extra member, but he really isn't important
Yeah, I already mentioned this on page 4. You forgot Melancon (D) is the former President of the Sugar Cane League which was a no vote. I thought Jindal would have voted for it, but I am sure he had a good reason to vote no. Article on Republican Votes in La:
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1122618595185730.xmlHere is something else interesting on the vote:
http://www.thelibertycommittee.org/update07.29.05.htmSo was the vote legal to go longer than the allocated 15 minutes?
