A great example of Mike Fitzpatrick putting party and politics over people is his despicable vote for CAFTA.  Mike had an opportunity to prove to the people of his district that he wasn't just a Bush lapdog, a patsy for DeLay and the Republican leadership in Congress, and in the pocket of big business.  But again, he failed that test.

Fitzpatrick told numerous people that he was planning to vote "no" on CAFTA.  In fact, I know someone who was in a room with Fitzpatrick before the vote took place where he looked into their eyes and told them that he was going to vote no.  It would make good sense to vote against CAFTA because it is bad for American workers.  Mike's democratic opponent, Patrick Murphy, aptly pointed out that CAFTA would ship more jobs out of the U.S., encourage outsourcing, ignore international labor laws, encourage child labor, and exploit the environment.  

Instead of doing what made the most sense for his constituents and American workers at large, Fitzpatrick caved to pressure and voted for CAFTA despite promising to vote against it.  Unlike other Representatives who voted their conscience, Fitzpatrick had a "harder time resisting" and could not withstand the arm-twisting from Tom DeLay, Roy Blunt, and President Bush. In fact, he was "one of the final CAFTA supporters to step forward." Fitzpatrick claimed that he voted for the bill because of national security reasons, when in reality, later news reports revealed that Fitzpatrick only voted for the bill after a shady back-room deal was worked out for a Cabinet secretary to campaign for Fitzpatrick in the district.  In fact, reports have shown that:

"massive CAFTA-related influx of cash and other favors...almost certainly played a role in getting these lawmakers...to provide the final passing votes at the last moment[.]"

After making it easier to ship jobs oversees, Fitzpatrick had the nerve to hold a "manufacturing summit" to discuss the importance of manufacturing jobs to PA.

Mike learned all too quick that if he wanted to succeed in Washington, that he would have to put party and politics before the people of his district.  However, he does have a strong democratic opponent in Pat Murphy, who is ready to bring some independence and integrity back to this congressional seat and Pat seems quite willing to take the fight to Mike Fitzpatrick, which we absolutely need more of.