Execs, U.N. show support for Cuba, underscore challenge for Bush

By Mary Murray
NBC NEWS

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov. 4 — An unlikely union of U.S. business executives and farmers as well as 179 diplomats from across the globe delivered a double setback this week to President Bush’s push to stiffen the trade embargo on Cuba. The blows weren’t unexpected but underscored the challenges facing the administration in its effort to further isolate the regime of President Fidel Castro.

SOME 70 U.S. companies gathered this week at Havana’s annual trade fair, pushing aside European wine and food vendors to sell Carolina turkeys, Mississippi peanut butter, Tampa onions and Minnesota cattle feed.

... Ralph Kaehler, a Minnesota rancher who supplied dairy cows to Cuba last year, also won a contract for a new cattle feed that should increase milk production. “The embargo started before I was born,” Kaehler said. “Why would you carry a grudge that long?”

Some observers believe that Bush’s hard-line position is dictated by the White House’s desire to woo South Florida’s voters in next year’s presidential contest.

... Ironically, there are more Florida companies hawking their products this week in Havana than from any other state. They included Cuban-American Enrique Montejo, who has sold Alimport some $2.5 million in spices and condiments over the past year.

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http://msnbc.com/news/989216.asp?0sl=-10&cp1=1

It would be note-worthy to see Florida's Jebster congratulating these company officials for their hard work, and for bringing new Cuban business to Florida, when he has been so deeply in bed with the Cuban-Americans for years and years.

(snip)Some observers believe that Bush’s hard-line position is dictated by the White House’s desire to woo South Florida’s voters in next year’s presidential contest. (snip)

(snip) Alvarez claims that if he could buy and sell freely with the United States, purchases would top $1 billion. That figure would further double, he suggested, if American tourists could vacation in Cuba. (snip)

Speaking of that well-worn Rehoglican taunt, "get over it.......," right-wingers have been shown to carry grudges for decades, if you don't include the Civil War.