McCain Tags Dems on Trade Treaty

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Associated Press

By LIBBY QUAID

ROUND ROCK, Texas (AP) - Republican John McCain said the desire by Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement would jeopardize crucial military support from Canada.

McCain used a town-hall style meeting Friday at Dell Inc. (DELL) headquarters to emphasize his support for NAFTA. The effects of the 1994 trade pact are still hotly debated, but studies indicate the deal has resulted in record exports from Texas to Canada and Mexico.

Trade and national security are "interconnected with each other," the Arizona senator said.


Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to employees at Dell Inc. during a campaign stop in Round Rock, Texas, Friday, Feb. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)


"One of our greatest assets in Afghanistan are our Canadian friends. We need our Canadian friends, and we need their continued support in Afghanistan," McCain said. "So what do we do? The two Democratic candidates for president say they're going to unilaterally abrogate NAFTA.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080301/D8V4S0MG4.html

[doc03]

1. Now that's a stretch, if we review NAFTA

the terrorists will win, be afraid, be real afraid, TEERA TERRA TERRA!

[TwilightGardener]

2. I'm pretty sure the Canadians understand the difference between

trade and terrorism. I'm pretty sure they understand that a trade policy that is hurting us, and needs to be re-examined, is not related to a military policy of cooperation that is helping to conquer terrorism for EVERYONE around the world. Unless McCain thinks that we should give in to other countries and sacrifice our economic interests in exchange for a few thousand troops in Afghanistan?

[Frisbee]

4. I'm pretty sure...

that neither Democratic candidate said they are going to ditch NAFTA, no questions asked. They both basically said that that would be the result ONLY IF renegotiation was denied. But I am sure misrepresenting the oppositions view was just an honest mistake.

[whosinpower]

7. Your barking up the wrong tree

But I understand your message. Thing is Canada's role in NAFTA is not what is hurting the american economy. NAFTA has hurt Canada too. Our manufacturing, while not nearly as robust as yours, has faced economic hardship from outsourcing too. We(Canada) have benefited because we supply raw goods, and have an abundance of oil.

There are many up here who hate NAFTA just as much as you guys do. But the crux of the situation is that mega corporations are to blame for outsourcing labor. China and India come to mind as being big big benficiaries. This is not due to NAFTA.

So, the blame has been slid off those who do the greatest harm by undermining the middle class to enhance their balance sheets.

And yes - McCain is an idiot. However, he did say something that should give everyone serious pause - trade and national security are tied together. In other words, if a nation does not trade in the manner that the US deems fair, then it becomes a matter of national security. This is corporatist talk. Trade with us, or face military engagement. Trade with us, under our own conditions, or be invaded, or face sanctions. Such is the corporate power over the american government today.
You think Iran is a threat because of nuclear ambitions? That is a lie. Iran is a threat, because they are free to sell oil in euros. Why shouldn't they sell oil in any monetary denomination that they want to? Saddam tried the same thing, and was invaded UNDER FALSE PRETENSES.

[BearSquirrel2]

9. I'm pretty sure the problem isn't Canada ...

I think you'll find Canadians with higher living standards than Americans. I don't think there are many American factories jumping crossing the St. Lawrence for cut rate labor with no environmental or labor standards.

Canada has ALWAYS been our #1 trade partner. The biggest issue in the NAFTA re-negotiation should probably be just plain cutting Mexico out. Of course, I'm sure that Canadians have their share of industrialist assholes who would not like to see their access to human chattle cut.

[tabatha]

3. He is really stupid.

The bad economic climate in the US is affecting the whole world.
He has just lost the election.
The large number of voters turning out is because the country is in bad shape.

[creeksneakers2]

5. The Canadians won't protect us from the Taliban?

Oh my! We're doomed!

[joeybee12]

6. Well, Canadians don't vote in our elections.

...but what McLame is doing is trying to hammer away and put Obama (presumptive nominee) on the defensive.

[bulloney]

8. What's wrong with revisiting and attempting to amend something once in a while?

Are we so damned perfect that anything we implement is relevant years later?

That's the American arrogance that causes terrorists to slam planes into our buildings. We go around the world and impose our puppet leaders on other countries, extract their natural resources for our consumption and attempt to impose our culture and expect other countries to relinquish theirs.

And our leaders act like we're just being good little world citizens and everybody else is being a bunch of insubordinates.