NAFTA -- How the Day Was Won.

This paper explores the strategy employed by the Clinton Administration to get the North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA signed into law. It covers the period from the time the side agreements to NAFTA were signed in August 1993 until the House vote in November 1993. A short history of NAFTA is presented followed by a discussion of the leadership of both the pro-NAFTA and anti-NAFTA factions. An analysis of several key events such as the Perot-Gore debate provides an indication as to the Administration 5 strategy to gain influence in the House and how it was countered by those who opposed the agreement. The paper concludes with a series of lessons learned which may prove applicable to future battles to pass the Administrations legislative program. This paper explores the strategy employed by the Clinton Administration to get the North American Free Trade Agreement NAFTA signed into law. It covers the period from the time the side agreements to NAFTA were signed in August 1993 until the House vote in November 1993. A short history of NAFTA is presented followed by a discussion of the leadership of both the pro-NAFTA and anti-NAFTA factions. An analysis of several key events such as the Perot-Gore debate provides an indication as to the Administration 5 strategy to gain influence in the House and how it was countered by those who opposed the agreement. The paper concludes with a series of lessons learned which may prove applicable to future battles to pass the Administrations legislative program.