OTTAWA, June 20, 2008
McCain Criticizes Obama Over NAFTA
In Speech In Canada, Republican Suggests Rival "Retreating Behind Protectionist Walls"
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Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. addresses the Economic Club of Canada, Friday, June 20, 2008, in Ottawa, Canada. (AP)
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The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting added that if he wins the White House, "have no doubt that America will honor its international commitments — and we will expect the same of others."
McCain did not mention Obama by name as he spoke before the Economic Club of Canada, a business organization whose membership cheered his remarks.
His trip to Canada was unusual if not unprecedented for a presidential candidate, one that his campaign paid for yet aides insisted was not political.
Democrats criticized plans for a scheduled $100-per-person "finance event," and raised questions about U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins' involvement in the trip. McCain's aides said Wilkins had done nothing wrong. They also countered that the money was to pay the cost of the Economic Club luncheon — then canceled the event without explanation.
The free trade agreement is intensely controversial in the United States — supported by most businesses, opposed by many unions — and has already emerged as a flashpoint in the presidential race.
McCain supports it, while Obama and former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton vied for support among blue-collar workers in the Democratic primaries by stressing their desire to force changes.
"Since NAFTA was concluded, it has contributed to strong job growth and flourishing trade. Since the agreement was signed, the United States has added 25 million jobs and Canada more than 4 million," McCain said.
In an unmistakable reference to Obama, he added, "Demanding unilateral changes and threatening to abrogate an agreement that has increased trade and prosperity is nothing more than retreating behind protectionist walls."
Aides said that was a reference in part to comments the Illinois senator had made in a Feb. 26 debate during the primaries.
"I will make sure that we renegotiate in the same way that Senator Clinton talked about," he said at the time. "... I think we should use the hammer of a potential opt-out as leverage to ensure that we actually get labor and environmental standards that are enforced."
In his speech, McCain expressed his appreciation for Canada's deployment of 2,500 troops to Afghanistan, and skipped lightly over Iraq, where the government declined to send forces.
"... This nation has done all that those differences would allow to help the Iraqi people. In characteristic form, Canada has given generous humanitarian aid and development assistance," he said.
Later, at a news conference, he said he hoped officials from the two countries could resolve the issue of Omar Khadr, a young Canadian citizen who is imprisoned at Guantanamo as a detainee in the war on terror.
"I have always opposed torture and any interrogation technique that would be constructed in any way as torture," McCain added, unprompted.
McCain has made several trips outside the United States since he became a presidential contender, including European and Middle Eastern countries.
He arrived in the Canadian capital aboard his chartered campaign jet and was greeted on the tarmac by Wilkins. The senator said it was not a political journey, yet told reporters he did not feel it was appropriate to have U.S. taxpayers pick up the cost.
McCain was still on Canadian soil when the Democratic National Committee filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the State Department seeking information about possible violations of federal law in connection with the trip. Under the law, federal officials are limited in their ability to undertake political activity.
Aides said in advance McCain would come to Canada to highlight trade, and there has been widespread speculation that he will soon travel to Mexico and perhaps elsewhere to make the same point as he made before his lunchtime audience.
"Last year alone, we exchanged some $560 billion in goods, and Canada is the leading export market for 36 of the 50 United States," the Arizona senator said.
"This country stands as America's leading overall export market, and America is Canada's leading agricultural market. With 60 percent of all direct foreign investment in Canada originating in the United States — some $289 billion in 2007 — our economies draw strength from one another."
He also said improvements are needed.
"Complying with NAFTA's rules of origin can be cumbersome and costly. Border delays can pose a serious impediment to trade, the equivalent of a tariff," he said.
©MMVIII, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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See all 87 CommentsThe man can flip flop in two countries.
and THIS is Republican "conservatism"????
Fascist REGULATED INTERNATIONAL CONTROLLED "FREE" TRADE...not
And the Little General er Admiral from Manchuria er Arizona is "conservative" ???
Promoting INTERNATIONAL CONTROLS and regimentation and legal intergration with INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY AGENCIES....NOT "free" trade but economic fascism
and the GOP is selling THIS as Conservative and Republican???
ha....
We over a million voters for Ron Paul and his message of freedom will get the last laugh on you all..before the collapse.
Obama will increase taxes, increase entitlements, decrease the number of people who will work, decrease the quality of life, appease our enemies and defend terrorists. The American president needs to defend American ingenuity and hard work.
Obama is all about entitlements--what can the government do for me. Work harder--millions on welfare depend on you! Millions more if Obama wins. Investment will dwindle in America with this marxist.
Of course being against torture didn''t stop him from voting against legislation that would forbid to engage in torture. Flip-Flop.
more votes than Obama - EXCLUDING Michigan. Toss it in, it''s a
349,000 lead. Neither won enough pledged delegates to reach the
required 2118 on their own.
Ladies (and gentlemen), if you are ready to demand that Supers
honor the majority will - or you will vote McCain, Nader or Barr -
read and sign the Nobama Petition at;
tinyurl.com/5tghqr
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If you want overloaded, uninspected Mexican big rigs full of cucarachas on U.S. highways, vote McCain!
Posted by Scaredchild at 07:55 PM : Jun 20, 2008
YOU think seeing the FIRST Educated Black Man becoming President of this Nation IS NOT a blessing??? What are you? Some kind of Klan NUT?? This is without a doubt the most exciting time in MY lifetime for sure... to see that LAST restriction come down. To see a man who can inspire this nation again. What kind of blessing would you be looking for IF that isn''t sufficient?? Yes We Can!! Yes We Can!! Yes We Can!!
Posted by Joan1v at 07:02 PM : Jun 20, 2008
So YOU think it''s OKAY to keep flawed and VERY Unfair Trade Agreements that are taking MILLIONS of Good Hard Working American Jobs to Third World Countries in place is a good thing?? Just What UNITED States do you belong too? These agreements are flawed in principle and need to be re-negotiated with ALL American''s in mind. Asking American Workers to compete with 30 Cents a DAY is NOT fair and does NOT represent the nation I grew up in!! SIEG HEIL BUSH!!
And I will repeat a paraphrase from a quote heard by some Republicans I know: "To make America more competitive, tariffs should be imposed on offshored products or labor." Sounds logical, but if Candidates McCain and Obama would address that concern, it''d be great.
Welcome to the latest tax payer rip off: Countrywide.
The Senate Banking Head Chris Dodd one of those yankee libwad Democrats (but not as liberal as OsamaObama) has just been caught with both hands in the cookie jar trying to rip American taxpayers in such typical Democrat fashion.
You know, claiming they are doing it for the, "good of the people!"
Hello!?! Hello!?!?! Is anyone at home in the OsamaObama camp?? The lights appear to be on???
These left wing pinko, un-American Democrats have been blaming G.W. Bush for this home morgage financing rip off of America.
Now we see where Democrats like Chris Dodd who actually ran as a Presidential candidate this year has been caught butt pocket deep in this mess along with some other Democrats. I haven''''t heard of any Republicans being involved yet
Where are the Congressional hearings about this rip off of America?? When is Chris Dodd heading to prison??
Countrywide was pumping money into Dodd''''s and these other Democrats pockets, and now the head of the Senate Banking Committee is using his position to use tax payer money to pump back into these morgage companies such as Countrywide''''s pockets.
All under the guise of "helping home owners."
Remember the Chrysler bail out...Yeap, Jimah Carter and no telling how many Democrats in Congress. Reckon how much up front cash this cost Chrysler?
Are you OsamaObama worshippers truly this asleep at the wheel?? The lights are on, but nobody is home??
If you want overloaded, uninspected Mexican big rigs full of cucarachas on U.S. highways, vote McCain!
Posted by gkc99 at 08:56 PM : Jun 20, 2008
===================
Sorry, but this simply can''t be proven...Not according to the Texas DOT anyway.
What I am more concerned about is the Mexican trucks crossing the border with 1000 gallon diesel tanks so they won''t have to purchase any of this diesel the Democrats have caused to go through the ceiling here in the US.
This action by the Democrats has already put far more independent truckers out of business than any Mexican truck driver crossing the border has.
Wake up America. The lights appear to be on, is there anyone at home???
---
Insisting on fair trade, as opposed to free trade, is not a "retreat behind protecionist walls".
It''s making sure we get our fair share.
Nothing more, nothing less.
...
Posted by hypnotoad72 at 07:12 AM : Jun 21, 2008
======================
Only if they vote Democrat....Same holds true for the folks who live in cemetaries.
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:21 AM : Jun 21, 2008
How about a credible source to back up that contention?
Posted by watcher269 at 04:57 AM : Jun 21, 2008
=======================
And, why would a vote for OsamaObama prevent terrorism??
Because in good little Democrat fashion he would surrender America to the camel humpers??
Because in good little Democrat fashion he would surrender America to the camel humpers??
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:25 AM : Jun 21, 2008
No. Because Obama is astute enough to understand that policy change, not standing armies, defeat guerilla movements.
Guerilla movements are stopped when you end their ability to recruit and obtain funds.
Not with tanks.
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:21 AM : Jun 21, 2008
How about a credible source to back up that contention?
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 09:24 AM : Jun 21, 2008
========================
Exactly what part would you like sourced....The huge price increase of diesel in the past 18 months since the Democrats have gotten back in charge?? Or, the proof that Democrats are blocking all domestic competition?? Or, maybe you want me to show you how much OPEC hates us??
Wake up and smell the coffee you simple minded hyphenated-Americans.
If you give the Democrats control of the Executive Branch along with a filibuster proof Senate, this $5.00 a gallon diesel will be remembered as a distant memory while the price goes through the ceiling.
Because in good little Democrat fashion he would surrender America to the camel humpers??
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:25 AM : Jun 21, 2008
No. Because Obama is astute enough to understand that policy change, not standing armies, defeat guerilla movements.
Guerilla movements are stopped when you end their ability to recruit and obtain funds.
Not with tanks.
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 09:29 AM : Jun 21, 2008
==================
Oh my, can you give us all another chorus of *** ba ya with your above??
Isn''t this the same argument you hippies used back in the early ''70''s?? We saw how that worked out didn''t we.
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:30 AM : Jun 21, 2008
Most experts point to speculation for raising the price of crude to it''s current levels.
This is a result of legislation produced by Phil Gramm (R) TX at the behest of Ken Lay of Enron to derugulate a third of the market allowing for a rapid run up in price.
Now, tell me how the price increases are the Dem''s fault.
McCain says that it is OK to farm out jobs to China and India, so long as it is YOUR JOB! McCain says that it is to everyone''s benefit for "FREE TRADE" agreements to be in place, "everyone''s benefit" being the wealthy, Corporate America, lobbyists, and those politicians on their "payroll". "Bagdad John" says with "FREE TRADE" agreements, trade among other countries has flourished, which is why we suddenly have poisons in our''s and our pet''s foods, lead paint in everything we buy, and why no one in the USSA knows how to make or repair anything anymore.
It also explains why we have a Communist country (China) supporting OUR ECONOMY!
It certainly appears that PROFIT has won out over PATRIOTISM and the USSA is suffering for it!!!!!
SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!
sig heil, DEFINITELY MORE OF THE SAME, McCain!!!!
Gas prices have almost double just in the last 18 months since the Democrats have been back in charge of Congress.
Thus it can''t be true supplies have fallen this much, or demand increased this much in such a short period.
It''s pure market manipulation by this nations enemies who have been empowered by the Democrats return to power. Has nothing to do with oil companies, it is solely an action by OPEC. OsamaObama''s buddies.
Now we see this inexperience, imature child by some silly un-American name like OsamaObama wanting to take John McCain to school??
Are you Obama supporters truly this simple between the ears??
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:33 AM : Jun 21, 2008
No, but I can provide you with many instance which prove that a standing army never defeats a competent guerills movement.
The Phillipines and Colombia have been failing with this strategy for over 40 years ON THEIR OWN TURF.
Guatemala failed with it for 36 years ON THEIR OWN TURF.
The British failed with it for 12 years in Malaysia.
We failed with it for 12 tears in Vietnam.
The USSR failed with it for 12 years in Afghanistan.
We''ve been failing with it for 6 1/2 years in Afghanistan and are still at square one.
After 5 1/2 years in Iraq, we still only control 4 square miles - the Green Zone.
Our dignitaries still have to sneak in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan unannounced like insurgents.
The Repubs have taken a surplus and turned it into a deficit.
We are borrowing $$$$$$ from China to fund are addiction to war, in pursuit of oil.
I guess the %u201Ccamel $%%%(%u201C are good only when our country needs to send Dubau, to beg for their oil.
Keep your temp down, McBush disciple.
"The thought of [McCain] being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me." -- Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, who has known McCain for 35 years.
This is a result of legislation produced by Phil Gramm (R) TX at the behest of Ken Lay of Enron to derugulate a third of the market allowing for a rapid run up in price.
Now, tell me how the price increases are the Dem''s fault.
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 09:34 AM : Jun 21, 2008
==============================
Okay, one more time, and I promise to type extra slow.
This so called Enron loophole is your typical Democrat smoke screen. It''s a bit like this Global Warming faux paux...There are other "experts" claiming the commodities market is what is keeping prices as low as they currently are.
Now think about this:
If I own a company and you come to me claiming you must buy my product. I don''t like you or the way you do business, but you guarantee that if I''ll sell you this product you must have, you will allow me to operate in a competition free market.
What do you think is about to happen to you?? Hint...Drop your pants, bend over and assume the position.
Does this sound anything like what the Democrats promised OPEC when they promised to block any significant new domestic oil production??
Neither party should be defined by pandering to the outer reaches of American politics and the agents of intolerance, whether they be Louis Farrakhan and Al Sharpton on the left or Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell on the right,
adding,
...we embrace the fine members of the religious conservative community. But that does not mean that we will pander to their self-appointed leaders.
That was then. This is now.
Now, McCain would like to have some of the fundamentalist vote, to go along with the neo-Confederate vote he''s still paying Richard Quinn of Southern Partisan magazine to round up for him.
So McCain is pandering as hard as he can. He''s agreed to be the commencement speaker at Liberty University, the Bible-college-on-steroids Falwell founded and still runs: a "university" which, as a matter of stated policy, hires only "born-agains" as faculty members.
Perhaps McCain now thinks he was wrong to class Falwell with Farrakhan. If so, he should say so, and tell us why. If not, we''re left to draw our own conclusions about why he''s speaking at Falwell''s madrassa.
This so called Enron loophole is your typical Democrat smoke screen.
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:47 AM : Jun 21, 2008
No, it''s actual legislation passed by a Repub Congress to remove regulatory oversight of the market and allow for it''s manipulation.
Posted by King_quest at 09:42 AM : Jun 21, 2008
==================
Hey KingBedWetter, is English your second language?
You hyphenated-Americans constant abuse of the word "racist" indicates a major lack of understanding somewhere??
For you see, I as as human as anyone, thus making it kind of silly for me to have an objection with my own race.
Unless, with your above you are admitting how all you hyphenated-Americans are something other than human??
I admit I have wondered this, but science keeps telling me I''m wrong.
"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.%u201D
This is your guy? Ex-Clinton supporters?
This so called Enron loophole is your typical Democrat smoke screen.
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:47 AM : Jun 21, 2008
No, it''''s actual legislation passed by a Repub Congress to remove regulatory oversight of the market and allow for it''''s manipulation.
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 09:49 AM : Jun 21, 2008
====================
If you insist on selectively editing my responses so they will read the way you want them to read, then don''t be all upset when I continue to harbor the beliefs that:
"All of your left wing pinko, libwad un-American Democrat buddies are on a mission to destroy America from within."
"All of your left wing pinko, libwad un-American Democrat buddies are on a mission to destroy America from within."
Posted by Beastof70 at 09:56 AM : Jun 21, 2008
Ok, crybaby.
Show me that what I pasted was not of your origin.
I changed absolutely nothing.
Convenient that, you would classify individuals into races, and not the HUMAN race, and then attempt to defunct that remark with flip floppy, in McBush fashion.
That%u2019s been our argument all along one race, the human race, but estupido derechos like you are bipolar, out of convenience.
Keep your temp down, McBush disciple.
"The thought of [McCain] being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me." -- Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, who has known McCain for 35 years.
"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.%u201D
This is your guy? Ex-Clinton supporters?
Posted by King_quest at 09:53 AM : Jun 21, 2008
=================================
I hope that wasn''t slung at me, since I''ve never, in a general election, voted for even one of your left wing pinko, libwad un-American Democrat buds.
I will say...If John McCain actually made that joke, he was wrong to do so.
I think the one about: "Why is Janet Reno so dang ugly? Because as a child she fell out of the top of an ugly tree and didn''t miss a single branch on the way to the ground." is much funner.
HILLARY CLINTON for
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
in the November elections!
pass it on......
**YES WE WILL**
Posted by TruUSA at 10:04 AM : Jun 21, 2008
As most of the country uses voting machines, I''d like to see you try it.....
Voting machines have no write-in capabilities......
Ok, crybaby.
Show me that what I pasted was not of your origin.
I changed absolutely nothing.
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 09:58 AM : Jun 21, 2008
==============================
"Crybaby"??? What''s with you hyphenated-Americans...Every time you get caught running up a smoke screen, the best you got is to try and stampede the emotions by name calling??
When you cut the last half of a paragraph...Yes, a paragraph is defined as a complete thought, You effectively do change....Is this the same kind of CHANGE your boy is promising America??
Simply take a look at how much change you did do:
This so called Enron loophole is your typical Democrat smoke screen. It''s a bit like this Global Warming faux paux...There are other "experts" claiming the commodities market is what is keeping prices as low as they currently are.
I''ll be waiting for my apology, hopefully some time prior to hell freezing over.
Posted by Beastof70 at 10:08 AM : Jun 21, 2008
I need not apologize for choosing to not paste 4 paraghrphs to address one point.
I cropped no sentences.
Your words, not mine.
People partially paste comments of mine all the time.
I don''t cry about it.
Black Caucus Meeting on Thur.
that Clinton supporters would
"get over it".
...
Posted by TruUSA at 10:04 AM : Jun 21, 2008
=====================
Does this explanation sound similar to that silly crack old "Claytie" Williams once made about women being raped need to just lay back and enjoy it??
Reckon OsamaObama is telling all you Hillary supporters to just lay back and enjoy it.
ROTFLMGTBO!!!!
So your contention is that the Hillary supporters will never get over it?
If so, it doesn''t say much for them as a group, does it?
%u201CI cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate at the expense of middle-class Americans,%u201D he said in May 2001.
%u201CI want to see tax cuts, if they are necessary, go to working Americans, not the wealthiest,%u201D he said in April 2003.
%u201CI voted against the tax cuts because of the disproportionate amount that went to the wealthiest Americans,%u201D he said a year later.
HIS current reasons for opposing Bush%u2019s tax cuts don%u2019t square with his past reasons.
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