Bush's signature gives Dems a Colo. target

Democrats Monday used President Bush's recent signing of a bill that supporters say will eliminate sweatshops on the Northern Mariana Islands to settle a few political scores, including one in Colorado, reports Michael Riley.

Democrats have been trying since the mid-1990s to revoke the protectorate's exemptions from U.S. labor and immigration laws but had long been outflanked by powerful Republicans in the House and the islands' now-jailed lobbyist, Jack Abramoff.

Former Congressman Bob Schaffer's role in those efforts has been a campaign issue for weeks, and Monday his Democratic opponent for the first time took him to task on the issue.

"I know that from what I read and the people I listened to, it was clear that there were abuses there. . .. I don't understand how you could leave the Marianas thinking everything was perfect," said Rep. Mark Udall, referring to a fact-finding trip Schaffer took in 1999 that was partly arranged by Abramoff's lobbying firm. Schaffer said he found problems in only one out of 20 factories he visited.

Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, and Republican Schaffer are vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Wayne Allard.

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