So, things get a bit clearer about the payoff business is going to give to the CAFTA 15. I was just told this: sponsors of the fundraiser I reported on yesterday are John Engler, the head of the National Association of Manufacturers (but he’s doing so as a private individual, I’m told); Dave McCurdy head of the Electronic Industries Alliance; Cal Dooley, president of the National Food Processors Association and John Castellani of the Business Roundtable.

For those of you with sharp eyes and good memories, both McCurdy and Dooley served in the House (McCurdy until 1995 and Dooley until 2004). They were both regularly on the side of so-called “free trade,” and were among the most active participants in helping Bill Clinton push through NAFTA.