Badgers toe party lines on CAFTA

The Bush administration scrambled to eke out a two-vote victory on CAFTA early Thursday.

"Although the deal was approved by the Senate last month, it was overwhelmingly opposed by House Democrats who contend that it is wrong to strike a free-trade pact with poor countries lacking strong protection for worker rights. Only 15 of the 202 House Democrats backed the accord, while 27 out of 232 Republicans voted against," the Washington Post reports.

The sausage-making wasn't pretty:

The last-minute negotiations for Republican votes resembled the wheeling and dealing on a car lot. Republicans who were opposed or undecided were courted during hurried meetings in Capitol hallways, on the House floor and at the White House. GOP leaders told their rank and file that if they wanted anything, now was the time to ask, lawmakers said, and members took advantage of the opportunity by requesting such things as fundraising appearances by Cheney and the restoration of money the White House has tried to cut from agriculture programs. Lawmakers also said many of the favors bestowed in exchange for votes will be tucked into the huge energy and highway bills that Congress is scheduled to pass this week before leaving for the August recess.

The Wisconsin delegation split right down the middle, along party lines, with the four Dems voting no and all four Repubs voting yes.

UPDATE: The vote was even closer. Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC), a CAFTA opponent recorded as "not voting," has issued a statement saying he voted no. Is there one more out there?