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http://www.newsmax.com/politics/obama_labor/2007/11/13/49083.html
Obama Challenges Clinton on Trade Deals
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Hillary Rodham Clinton's doubts about big foreign trade
deals came only in the heat of the presidential campaign, Democratic rival
Barack Obama said Tuesday, addressing labor leaders who strongly oppose many
of the agreements.
He focused in particular on the North American Free Trade Agreement, which
many U.S. unions contend has sent American jobs outside the nation's borders
and held down wages here.
"So, when a candidate rails against NAFTA today, it's fair to ask her where
she was with NAFTA 20 years ago," said Obama. "You don't just suddenly wake
up and say NAFTA is a terrible thing when you were for it before."
Obama made his case at a regional convention of the United Auto Workers just
a day after Clinton used the same forum to call for a "time out" on new
trade deals while their impact on American jobs is assessed.
In her speech, Clinton said she would be cautious on new trade agreements,
but she carries the baggage of her husband's presidency during which NAFTA
was negotiated and approved.
"Politicians often say they are pro-labor at election time, no matter what
they've said or done before," said Obama. "And that leaves you wondering
what they will say or do after the election."
He singled out rivals Clinton and John Edwards.
"I've been consistent. You can't say that about the other two major
candidates," said Obama. "When a candidate says he opposes right-to-work
laws or trade rules that hurt workers today, ask him where he's been before.
Because America needs a president who will fight for you when it's hard, and
not when it's politically convenient."
Obama told the labor activists that there have been few occasions when he's
had to switch positions, because he's been on the side of workers since he
got into politics 20 years ago.
"The nice thing about my candidacy is I don't have to apologize for a lot of
mistakes," said Obama.
During his speech, Obama focused heavily on trade, a key issue for unions
where leaders argue that trade agreements often end up pitting American
workers against low-wage workers overseas. He drew a standing ovation when
he vowed to fight any deal that doesn't protect workers and the environment.
On a personal level, Obama sought to compare his life with those of working
Americans, back to his beginning as an organizer in Chicago.
"Imagine a president whose life story is like so many of your own," said
Obama. "I want to stand with you. I want to put the weight of the presidency
behind the working men and women of America."
The labor leaders represent workers in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and
Iowa, and Obama was focusing on Iowa where precinct caucuses this winter
will launch the presidential nominating season.
"Politics didn't lead me to working people," Obama said. "Working people led
me into politics. I was standing with American workers on the streets of
Chicago 20 years ago. If the Democratic Party means anything, it means you
stand with labor, it means you value labor."
Obama served up some of the hottest populist rhetoric to an audience that's
getting heavy attention from presidential candidates, with five speaking to
the group on Monday and Edwards scheduled on Wednesday.
"The same old Washington textbook campaigns just won't do," said Obama,
"Triangulating and poll testing our positions because we're afraid of what
Mitt or Rudy might say about us just won't do."
While Clinton has built a substantial lead in national polls, the race for
Iowa's leadoff caucuses is much closer. Clinton has a fragile lead but is
facing a tough challenge from both Obama and Edwards. The exchanges between
the leading candidates are warming significantly as the caucuses near,
reflecting that tight race.
Obama Challenges Clinton on Trade Deals
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- Hillary Rodham Clinton's doubts about big foreign trade
deals came only in the heat of the presidential campaign, Democratic rival
Barack Obama said Tuesday, addressing labor leaders who strongly oppose many
of the agreements.
He focused in particular on the North American Free Trade Agreement, which
many U.S. unions contend has sent American jobs outside the nation's borders
and held down wages here.
"So, when a candidate rails against NAFTA today, it's fair to ask her where
she was with NAFTA 20 years ago," said Obama. "You don't just suddenly wake
up and say NAFTA is a terrible thing when you were for it before."
Obama made his case at a regional convention of the United Auto Workers just
a day after Clinton used the same forum to call for a "time out" on new
trade deals while their impact on American jobs is assessed.
In her speech, Clinton said she would be cautious on new trade agreements,
but she carries the baggage of her husband's presidency during which NAFTA
was negotiated and approved.
"Politicians often say they are pro-labor at election time, no matter what
they've said or done before," said Obama. "And that leaves you wondering
what they will say or do after the election."
He singled out rivals Clinton and John Edwards.
"I've been consistent. You can't say that about the other two major
candidates," said Obama. "When a candidate says he opposes right-to-work
laws or trade rules that hurt workers today, ask him where he's been before.
Because America needs a president who will fight for you when it's hard, and
not when it's politically convenient."
Obama told the labor activists that there have been few occasions when he's
had to switch positions, because he's been on the side of workers since he
got into politics 20 years ago.
"The nice thing about my candidacy is I don't have to apologize for a lot of
mistakes," said Obama.
During his speech, Obama focused heavily on trade, a key issue for unions
where leaders argue that trade agreements often end up pitting American
workers against low-wage workers overseas. He drew a standing ovation when
he vowed to fight any deal that doesn't protect workers and the environment.
On a personal level, Obama sought to compare his life with those of working
Americans, back to his beginning as an organizer in Chicago.
"Imagine a president whose life story is like so many of your own," said
Obama. "I want to stand with you. I want to put the weight of the presidency
behind the working men and women of America."
The labor leaders represent workers in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and
Iowa, and Obama was focusing on Iowa where precinct caucuses this winter
will launch the presidential nominating season.
"Politics didn't lead me to working people," Obama said. "Working people led
me into politics. I was standing with American workers on the streets of
Chicago 20 years ago. If the Democratic Party means anything, it means you
stand with labor, it means you value labor."
Obama served up some of the hottest populist rhetoric to an audience that's
getting heavy attention from presidential candidates, with five speaking to
the group on Monday and Edwards scheduled on Wednesday.
"The same old Washington textbook campaigns just won't do," said Obama,
"Triangulating and poll testing our positions because we're afraid of what
Mitt or Rudy might say about us just won't do."
While Clinton has built a substantial lead in national polls, the race for
Iowa's leadoff caucuses is much closer. Clinton has a fragile lead but is
facing a tough challenge from both Obama and Edwards. The exchanges between
the leading candidates are warming significantly as the caucuses near,
reflecting that tight race.
