Emotions Run High on Vote on Trade Pact

WASHINGTON - A New York congressman, Gregory Meeks, yesterday disavowed a combative and vaguely threatening e-mail sent by one of his senior aides to a leading critic of the Democratic lawmaker's vote in favor of a free trade agreement that narrowly passed the House last month.

"You're so politically stupid, it is not funny!" the congressman's senior policy adviser, Michael McKay, wrote to an attorney who heads Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, Lori Wallach. "We welcome your racists [sic] campaign. Keep it up. Instead of the 96% vote we got last cycle, you racists will help us get 100% for sure."

In recent days, labor and anti-globalization activists have mounted strident attacks against Mr. Meeks and other House Democrats who voted for the Central America Free Trade Agreement, which passed 217-215 on July 28. Critics have dubbed the Democrats who strayed "the CAFTA 15," and may target them for defeat.

The attacks apparently struck a nerve with Mr. McKay, who simply let loose on Ms. Wallach. "I bet you couldn't find our district if you were standing in it," the aide wrote. "So keep up your racist campaign. But just a warning to you, when we respond back, you better be prepared. Because we will fight back your racist campaign of misinformation. And it will be just as ugly and nasty as you and your fellow Nadar [sic] klansmen. Put that in your elitist pipe and choke on it!"

In an interview yesterday with The New York Sun, Mr. Meeks distanced himself completely from Mr. McKay's message. "I'm shocked and horrified by it," the lawmaker said. "I'm terribly disappointed. It doesn't express my views at all.... I disassociate myself with it 100%."

Mr. Meeks said he plans to send a letter to Ms. Wallach repudiating the earlier message. Asked if he plans to take action against Mr. McKay, the congressman said, "We're going to figure out what we're doing there."

Mr. McKay did not respond to an e-mailed request for an interview.

Mr. Meeks acknowledged that his vote for the trade agreement has caused some anger.

"Emotions are running high," he said, quickly adding, "For me, that's no excuse. He was not speaking for me and should not have intervened."

Mr. Meeks said he backed the trade deal because he believes it will create jobs in New York, particularly at Kennedy Airport, which is in his district. "It's my job to create jobs for New York. I don't represent Ohio," he said.

"The people in labor are friends. We disagree on this issue," the congressman said.

Ms. Wallach did not return a call seeking comment for this story.

Mr. McKay's heated e-mail was first reported yesterday on a labor-related blog, Working Life, which is run by freelance journalist Jonathan Tasini. Mr. Tasini is among those who have called for the CAFTA 15 to be punished. "They must pay," he wrote.