THE COURAGE OF THEIR LACK OF CONVICTIONS (via Kevin Whited):

Tale of two whip teams (Josephine Hearn, 7/20/05, The Hill)

With just two weeks to go until the August recess, Republican House leaders are possibly facing do-or-die time for the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The Republican whip operation is running at full throttle, making deals on China policy and textile production at a fast clip in the hopes of wooing just enough members off the fence to pass the pivotal trade pact.

The House Democratic whip operation, meanwhile, is sitting this one out.

For Democrats, who largely oppose the bill, the situation tests the ability of a diverse and sometimes divisive party to unify even as it faces strong pressure from the administration and business groups.

Despite the high stakes of the battle, Democrats have opted not to activate their own whip operation to counter Republican efforts, a highly unusual decision for an important vote — but one that Democrats say works for them.

This is what an opposition party does when it knows legislation is in the best interests of the nation but can't afford to be seen backing it for political reasons.

Posted by Orrin Judd at July 20, 2005 12:56 PM