Robert Novak reports: “Republican leaders were unhappy that Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter, representing a safe district, voted against CAFTA and thereby forced Hayes to cast his politically risky vote. As a standing committee chairman, Hunter was expected to follow the Republican Party line.” It’s true that Republican leaders were unhappy, of course. But I think the White House held out more hopes for Hunter’s vote than House leaders did. And it was always a stretch to think that he would vote for CAFTA. He’s one of the most committed protectionists in the Republican conference.