What has gone largely unnoticed in the developing 2000 Democratic presidential primary field is the lack of a candidate from the protectionist wing of the party. Just as abortion is the most divisive and important issue in the GOP, for Democrats the most significant chasm is trade. Democrats allied with labor unions, especially those with trade-sensitive, manufacturing industries back home, have a protectionist stance, while the Democratic Leadership Council and "New Democrats" largely support free trade.
With Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota now withdrawn from the race and House Minority Leader Gephardt all but out, the Democratic field has thinned down to Vice President Gore, former Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey and possibly Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. There is also an outside chance the Rev. Jesse Jackson might enter the race. Though most bridle at the protectionist label, many Democratic members in the House and Senate, including Wellstone and Gephardt, are more skeptical than laissez-faire on international trade issues. Thus, there would appear to be a large gap on the trade issue between Democrats running for president and
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