Bush Team Punts on Wine Shipping Reform

With business, evangelicals, free trade supporters and a wealth of special interests all weighing in heavily on the issue of wine shipments, don't expect clear leadership from Washington.

Thursday was the initial deadline for amicus - also called friend-of-the-court - briefs to be filed in two consolidated Internet wine sales cases. The cases challenge New York, Michigan and other states that require alcohol be sold through a network of wholesalers and retailers rather than directly to customers.

The Lodi, Calif.-based Lucas Winery is at the center of one of the lawsuits, which have pulled well-placed Republican attorneys in opposite directions. Former independent counsel Kenneth Starr, for instance, now represents California wineries that have high hopes for Internet sales, while President Bush's close ally Miguel Estrada represents the wholesalers who want to retain the current system.

Check out the full article: Bush administration silent on Internet wine sales By MICHAEL DOYLE August 02, 2004