Administration Trying to Build CAFTA Majority Vote by Vote

The White House had hoped to win over blocs of undecideds -- textile representatives, sugar industry allies, immigration opponents, or lawmakers from manufacturing areas rife with anti-China feelings. But those blocs have barely budged. Now, the administration is going vote by vote.

"We're not there yet," Niemeyer said, "but we're quickly cleaning up undecideds and are clearly within striking distance."

To win over Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.) and possibly a few more textile-state Republicans, Thomas secured a promise this week from the six CAFTA countries to halt the use of Chinese-made apparel pockets and linings for their duty-free clothing exports to the United States.

English was granted a vote on his China trade provisions. And sugar-state lawmakers are wringing out new concessions that could allow sugar growers access to the federally mandated ethanol market.

"I feel very good about the fact that CAFTA is helping to secure and lift up our own neighborhood [in Centra America]," said Rep. Adam Putnam (R), whose Central Florida district includes sugar cane growers. "I just want to make sure it doesn't throw an industry that I support overboard."

House members say the president has expressed some exasperation about the amount of time he has spent on the deal. He has had to reach out to some strange bedfellows.

And no potential ally has proven too small for attention. Earlier this month, Bush aides surprised Anne Alonzo, approaching the former Clinton administration official and seeking an invitation for the president to address her small pro-CAFTA Hispanic Alliance for Free Trade. That speech is planned for today.

"We're not a big mean fighting machine. It's just me and him," Alonzo said, pointing to an intern.

Staff writers Paul Blustein, Laura Blumenfeld and Mike Allen contributed to this report.