When George W. Bush and Karl Rove recruited Richard Burr to run for the Senate, they knew that if elected, Burr would be a rubber-stamp for the administration.

They got what they wanted.

Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

It was hard to tell how Richard Burr would vote because he spoke out of both sides of his mouth for so long. When the vote was cast, Burr, along with Sen. Elizabeth Dole, voted in favor of CAFTA.

"We shouldn't be surprised that Sens. Dole and Burr seem to care more about standing with Bush than with the working people of North Carolina, so many of whom have felt the sting of unfair federal trade policies and seen jobs in some of our state's biggest industries, such as textiles and furnishings, sent overseas," said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek. "Richard Burr seems to stand for everything and nothing at the same time. North Carolina deserves better."

Burr's CAFTA Flip-Flops:

In 2003, the Raleigh News and Observer wrote, "[Burr] opposes the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA.

Earlier this month, Burr had been quoted as supporting the trade agreement." [12/19/2003]

Just last month, the Wilson Daily News reported, "[Burr] said right now he can't support the bill as is." [6/1/2005]

Sound familiar? Burr flip-flopped on NAFTA as well:

Winston-Salem Journal Headline: "Burr Files To Run; Changes Mind On NAFTA"

The Winston-Salem Journal writes, "U.S. Rep. Richard Burr filed yesterday to run for a new office, the U.S. Senate, saying that he has changed his mind about NAFTA, a trade agreement he once supported and has criticized Democrat Erskine Bowles for supporting."

"I said in 1994 had I been there I would have voted for it," said Burr, R-5th, who filed to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. John Edwards."

"...Burr has hammered Bowles for lobbying for NAFTA..." [Winston-Salem Journal, 5/1/2004]

The Charlotte Observer writes, "Burr heavily criticizes Bowles for changing his stance on NAFTA and other trade agreements, from supporting them as a White House aide to opposing future trade treaties as a candidate.

On Friday, however, Burr said he, too, has reversed his position on NAFTA, apparently his first public statement saying he had changed positions.

"My assessment was wrong," he said. "It is a reversal from where I was in 1994 from the standpoint of a cheerleader for it." [Charlotte Observer, 5/1/2004]