Watching the Dems on this one [CAFTA] is like watching the French and Dutch on the EU Constitution. It is typically the out-of-power party in the Core that argues for go-slow on globalization, preying on people’s pain and fears. Ross Perot and the Republicans did it plenty under Clinton, and now the Dems do it big time under Bush. Leading is all about the future, and when you’re in power, it’s hard to do anything but embrace globalization for the challenges it represents. But when you feel like you’re falling behing in the game, like the French seem to feel across the board, then the best you can do is try and prevent the future for as long as possible.

–Thomas Barnett