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America Needs Marcy Kaptur

Published 11/14/08 Dustin Ensinger - Print Article
E-mail - editor@economyincisis.org

Free trade opponent Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH) is launching a long shot bid to become vice-chair of the Democratic caucus for the 111th Congress, challenging Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA), a member handpicked by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA) to run for the position.

The race for the number five position in the House appears to be down to Becerra and Kaptur after Rep. Kendrick Meeks (FL) and Rep. Joe Crowley (NY) dropped out of the running earlier in the week.

Kaptur is hoping to be a more moderate and anti-trade voice in the Democratic leadership structure, which is looking more and more liberal as Speaker Pelosi looks to exert her will with an expanded majority in both chambers of Congress and a Democratic administration in the White House. Kaptur, the most senior women in the House, is serving her 14th term in Congress and has staked out a name for herself due to her unwavering opposition to free trade, voting for trade barriers 83 percent of the time over the course of her career and leading the fight against the North American Free Trade Agreement. Her positions on trade even led to some speculation in 1994 that Ross Perot would tap her to be his running mate.

“She has a clear emphasis on economic issues, particularly trade,” her spokesperson Steve Fought said. “Those issues need more emphasis in the Democratic Caucus.” He also said Rep. Kaptur would emphasize the fact that she hails from a swing state and the overwhelming support she receives in moderate districts, winning her most recent reelection bid with 74 percent of the vote.

Her opponent is an eight term Congressman and close ally of Speaker Pelosi, serving as assistant to the Speaker in the previous Congress. Although Pelosi has not publicly expressed her support for Becerra, the implications are clear: Pelosi is looking to shift the caucus to the left, and no better way to do that than have loyal, trusted allies in leadership positions.

Becerra’s voting record on issues of trade pales in comparison to that of Kaptur’s. During his career, Becerra has voted in favor of NAFTA, remaining in the World trade Organization, the Central American Free Trade Agreement and unilateral deals with Peru, Australia, Singapore and Chile.

Despite his spotty record on trade, it appears Becerra is the prohibitive favorite to win the race. He has a clear-cut advantage not only by virtue of his relationship with the Speaker, but the size of his delegation as well - Calif.’s House delegation is 53 members, the majority Democrats, Ohio’s 18 with the majority belonging to the Republican caucus - and his current leadership status in the caucus.

Votes are expected to be cast next week when Congress reconvenes for a lame-duck session. The race for the vice chair of the caucus is one of the few leadership battles amongst Democrats entering the new Congress as Speaker Pelosi has been extremely successful at keeping internal disputes at a minimum.

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