The passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the U.S. House of Representatives: presidential leadership or presidential luck?

Authors: C. Don Livingston and Kenneth A. Wink
Date: Winter 1997
From: Presidential Studies Quarterly(Vol. 27, Issue 1)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Document Type: Article
Length: 8,392 words
Abstract :

Pres. Bill Clinton was able to convince the US Congress to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement through his persuasive and bargaining skills. His efforts, which were concentrated on undecided lawmakers, were complemented by efforts from allies that included economists, Nobel Prize winners, governors and foreign policy experts. Together, they were able to stem massive opposition to the bill from organized labor, consumer groups, environmentalists and African-American leaders. He was also able to modify the bill to be acceptable to more lawmakers.
Source Citation
Livingston, C. Don, and Kenneth A. Wink. "The passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the U.S. House of Representatives: presidential leadership or presidential luck?" Presidential Studies Quarterly, vol. 27, no. 1, winter 1997, pp. 52+. link.gale.com/apps/doc/A19354304/AONE?u=gale&sid=bookmark-AONE. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
  

Gale Document Number: GALE|A19354304