McCain To Tout Free Trade In Latin America

Republican Candidate Will Visit Colombia And Mexico This Week

(AP)  John McCain concedes he still has work to do to persuade voters in America's Rust Belt, where the presidential election could be decided, that his support for free trade will benefit them, not just cost more jobs.

Winding up a campaign swing through Pennsylvania, which has been hard hit by the loss of manufacturing jobs to Mexico and elsewhere, the Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting pledged to improve programs for displaced workers and unemployment insurance if elected, but acknowledged that wouldn't be enough.

"I have to convince them the consequences of protectionism and isolationism could be damaging to their future," the Arizona senator said.

"I understand it's very tough. But for me to give up my advocacy of free trade would be a betrayal of trust," he said. "And the most precious commodity I have with the American people is that they trust me."

On Tuesday, McCain was beginning a three-day visit to Colombia and Mexico, to bookend a trip earlier this month to Ottawa, where he talked up cross-border cooperation with Canada on economic issues, especially trade.

He is a strong supporter of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, among the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

When McCain went to Canada, Democratic presidential rival Barack Obama suggested he went to promote the agreement rather than stay home and defend his views in places like Ohio and other states where NAFTA is blamed for shifting millions of manufacturing jobs to other countries.

Obama is a critic of NAFTA and other free trade deals, and the issue was a flash point in his primary campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton. As president, he has said he would push for enforceable labor and environmental standards in the agreement and might threaten to withdraw completely.

McCain insisted the trip to Latin America was not intended to be political and said he would not criticize Obama directly while abroad. He made a similar pledge when he visited Canada but took a swipe at the Democrat nonetheless, suggesting without using Obama's name that the Illinois senator's opposition to NAFTA was "nothing more than retreating behind protectionist walls."

McCain was to arrive in Cartagena, Colombia, on Tuesday and meet with President Alvaro Uribe and several cabinet ministers. McCain also is a strong supporter of a proposed free-trade agreement with Colombia that is stalled in Congress. The House blocked a vote over issues that include violence against labor activists in the country.

McCain said Uribe had rescued Colombia from becoming a "failed state" and only indirectly criticized the government's human rights record. While he said he anyone perpetuating human rights abuses in the country should be arrested and tried, he insisted the country's struggle with the issue was no justification for blocking the proposed agreement.

In Mexico City, he planned to address illegal immigration — an emotional issue both for Hispanic voters and many conservatives.

McCain co-sponsored Senate legislation that would have allowed illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S., work and apply to become legal residents after learning English, paying fines and back taxes, and clearing a background check. The measure failed last year and McCain since has talked primarily about the importance of boosting border security, and less so about a pathway to citizenship for those in the country illegally.

In a speech last Saturday to elected Latino officials, McCain pledged that the issue will be "my top priority yesterday, today and tomorrow."

Besides immigration, McCain said he would congratulate the leaders both Mexico and Canada for their efforts to wipe out drug cartels, but that he also would press them to step up their efforts.

"I think it's important our friends and neighbors understand our commitment to them. What happens in Colombia and Mexico is very important to the future of America," he said.

[zerato-2009]

A political trip to columbia to promote a new free trade agreement. Another political gimick. I wonder if he will have a fundraiser taht is not a fundraiser, like he did in canada. I hear they have a lot of dollars down there

[omega39-2009]

McCain said he knows he has work to do to convince voters in states losing jobs to Mexico and other countries, such as Pennsylvania where he campaigned Monday, that free-trade agreements will benefit them and their families over time.

Oh boy, the lies just keep coming as they strip away jobs and push wages ever lower. Now we compete for oil and food with countries where our jobs landed that are building their own middle class. When are the American people going to stand up and say enough?

[omega39-2009]

There is more to the free trade agreement with Columbia than meets the eye. Proponents argue Columbia''s exports already enter the US tariff free. If this is so why don''t Columbia just reciprocate and drop their tariffs on US exports? What have they been promised in this agreement that they felt compelled to hire a lobbying firm to push it through Congress?

[lochlan-2009]

"McCain To Tout Free Trade In Latin America"

This man still doesn''t get it. Americans don''t want a new world order, we don''t want a single global government, and we don''t want to watch fat cat politicians get payed off by corporate elite lobbyists to pass bills that remove all tariffs that use to protect American jobs so some billionare can pay a sweat shop in South America $5.00 a day to make that product to sell in the United States. Manufacturing and education made this country a world leader, these people have been doing everything they can to destroy that and dumb us down on top of it.

[broadwayphi]

"McCain once opposed President Bush''s tax cuts for the wealthy, but now wants them to be made permanent. He was a supporter of the federal ban on offshore oil drilling, but recently said the moratorium should be lifted and states allowed to decide for themselves whether to begin drilling."

In other words, if it favors the rich, he''s flip-flopping. If it favors working people, he''s standing firm -- against us.

What fool would vote for this man?

[seis-6-six]

Bring on the Amero!!!

[andrew_693]

"Besides immigration, McCain said he would congratulate the leaders both Mexico and Canada for their efforts to wipe out drug cartels, but that he also would press them to step up their efforts. "


I wonder instead of congratulating everybody on fighting drugs why didn''t the current administration do anything to change the scumbags that use these drugs here in the US. This "blame the supplier" thing has never worked, when will americans stop consuming that sh...t. they need to pass laws that put user in jails as well and not see them as victims anymore because they chose to live like that.

[broadwayphi]

Patriotism means putting America first.

My friend.

[Gary Kempf]

"I think it''s important our friends and neighbors understand our commitment to them. What happens in Colombia and Mexico is very important to the future of America," he said.

Yes,John your commitment to Colombia and Mexico means the loss of more jobs to Americans...

[broadwayphi]

"I understand it''s very tough. But for me to give up my advocacy of free trade would be a betrayal of trust..."

You understand nothing, my friend. You have no idea.

Your "Trust" is the one holding your wife''s beer money.

Go to hell.

My friend.

[broadwayphi]

What fool would vote for this man?

[omega39-2009]

We barely pulled out of the last recession that was primarily marked with a "jobless recovery". What a great idea, continue the same failed policies that have brought our economy to where it is today. John McCain, no thanks.

[omega39-2009]

For just a second I saw a terrorsalami post, the usual screed having nothing to do with the thread at hand. Then both him and his post vanished....Good job CBS!

[Gary Kempf]

For just a second I saw a terrorsalami post, the usual screed having nothing to do with the thread at hand. Then both him and his post vanished....Good job CBS!


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Posted by omega39 at 10:44 AM : Jul 01, 2

I second that. Good job CBS!

[drivelphobe]

McCain says the most valuable commodity he has with the American people is that they trust him.

He''s as out of touch as Hillary. How can we trust anyone who has closed door meetings with LaRaza? Who hangs out with Juan Hernandez? Who continues to ignore the construction of the Wall, and who supports amnesty, excuse me, I mean "comprehensive immigration reform"?

John McCain has ruined the GOP.

[whitemale08]

Colombians should reject any free trade agreement from Republicans.

John McCain should shut down Wall Street and divorce the U.S. from the City of London and outlaw international conglomerates from operating in the U.S.

Then enforce existing laws against monopolies and only allow companies to be comprised of shareholders who actual employees.

That way America can start manufacturing again for its own domestic consumers and he should encourage other countries to do the same.

No more of this British East India Company Financial Empire garbage that uses the Federal Reserve System to send the IMF into these countries to ensare them into debt and then use Standard & Poors to downgrade their credit to make their money worthless thus blowing out their economies in order that the locals will no longer afford what they produce but must export for the benefit of WALMART.

Do the right thing McCain and talk straight!

[oscarez]

"I have to convince them the consequences of protectionism and isolationism could be damaging to their future," the Arizona senator said.

What future!!! We have no future now.

[vranger]

It looks like most of the posters below have a very shallow (mis)understanding of the current world economy and the illegal immigration issue, coupled with a nice ''head in the sand'' posture.

The truth is that the USA''s unemployment rate has stayed quite constant since Reagan righted the economy in the early 80s ... 4% to 5%. The fact that in that 20+ year period we''ve had millions in population increase and both legal and illegal immigration means that the US economy is creating jobs at a very satisfactory pace.

The current economic climate has nothing to do with White House policies. It has to do with basically two things:

1. The decisions of poorly managed financial institutions to make large numbers of aggresive real estate loans, in violation of their own business policies, and

2. The lack of determination of Americans to do something about energy independence even though the need as been clear for 30 years ... since the first ''gas crisis''.

[vranger]

Part II

As to immigration and amnesty, let''s be clear. There are too many MILLIONS of illegal immigrants in this country to find, prosecute, and deport them all. Logistally, it is IMPOSSIBLE to do. We need a program to deal with this situation that accepts REALITY, and that is what McCain-Kennedy offered.

Here is the REALLY humorous side, for all of the Obama syncophants on this board bashing McCain for his illegal immigration stand. If you paid ANY ATTENTION AT ALL to what Obama had to say during the final debates with Hilary, it sounded like he was quoting McCain-Kennedy verbatim! There is NO meaningful difference in the views of these two candidates on the issue of resident illegal immigrants! LOL

[harp1963]

FREE LABOR FOR EVERYONE! Just like the old plantation days before the Civil War. Who cares about sharing profits when you can keep them all for yourself. Life''s good being a GREEDAPUBLICAN.

[vranger]

whitemale08, where did you learn your economics? From Beavis and Butthead? ROFL I''ve never seen such a load of idiocy in my lfe. (Well actually, sadly I have, about every other post on these CBS boards).

[faith_in_w]

My pastor says Jesus smiles upon free trade and that it is the path to heaven.

[brianbwb-2009]

"I have to convince them the consequences of protectionism and isolationism could be damaging to their future," the Arizona senator said."

Good luck convincing laid off workers that their present is all that good, and that being unemployed because of their current jobs being outsourced to slave labor countries is good for their present, let alone their future.

[oscarez]

"The truth is that the USA''''s unemployment rate has stayed quite constant since Reagan righted the economy in the early 80s ... 4% to 5%."

This may be true. But most families cannot live on $5.00 and hour while working in fast food. The unemployment rate has stayed the same because of low pauing jobs in the services sector.

[oscarez]

Sorry!
The unemployment rate has stayed the same because of low paying jobs in the services sector.

[realpatriot1]

Protectionism and isolation are counter productive. If only our trading partners such as China understood that we could have fair and free trade.

In the real world we need to fight for trade which rejects protectionism on all sides(like U.S. farm subsidies or Chinese currency manipulation). We need to negotiate free trade aggrememnts that allow for the efficient trading of goods and services that doesn''t abuse workers or wreck the environment.

[oscarez]

My pastor says Jesus smiles upon free trade and that it is the path to heaven.

Posted by FAITH_IN_W at 11:15 AM : Jul 01, 2008

Your pastor must be George W Bush!!!

[omega39-2009]

"The truth is that the USA''''''''s unemployment rate has stayed quite constant since Reagan righted the economy in the early 80s ... 4% to 5%."

Actually there have been various changes applied to the measure to hide unemployment since the 80''s. Read economist John Williams (he runs shadow statistics) interview.

[omega39-2009]

In the 90''s we constantly heard that the economy had to create 150,000 jobs a month just to keep up with new workers entering the job market. All this changed under Bush, a report of 40,000 new jobs didn''t result in a net deficiency of 110,000 jobs, it resulted in a lower unemployment rate.

[Syndicate]

If free trade was not a good idea then the fifty states would tax the hell out of each others goods. It obviously works. Look at how prosperous we are.

[johnstossel]

Go ahead McSame, give away more of our jobs. When I am put out of work I think you should subsidize my unemployment with your personal income!!!

[whitemale08]

Oscarez -

My Friends...

The fact is Ronald Reagan''s legacy was a successfull attempt to hide serfdom from naive Republicans who believed that free trade would keep unemployment levels to around 5%.

His failed Presidency actually allowed the birth of multinational corporations to bust up unions and allow workers to trade in the high paying manufacturing jobs to those of low paying retail jobs and services like at Walmart

Now My Friends...

Standard & Poors will downgrade the credit score of America and make the very FEDERAL RESERVE NOTES that you carry in your wallets absolutely worthless.

This of course will leave you unable to buy anything else even at WalMart but still leave you with worthless wages and usher you into the global family of Serfs.

My friends...it''s time now to enjoy a life not of FREEDOM but that of SERFDOM.

[u-r-right]

Free trade, free trade...we all know free trade helps everyone but the USA. When you lose your job and can''t find a suitable replacement, it''s as if some freedoms get lost. There should not be free trade until there is FAIR trade. 50/50 or nothing.

[u-r-right]

He''s so much like Bush, it''s shocking. There is no reason why this man should have gotten this far in the presidential campaign other than through corruption and the upper wealthy elite wanting more of the same.

[kennedy7955]

The USA has a trade deficit with every trading partner in the world. If that weren''t enough, we do not use our leverage as the customer to the world to have any kind of agreement that benefits our country.

A good example is the recent cry from the Koreans limiting our beef imports. Where were our trade people in all this? Why wouldn''t we retaliate and target their massive imports? The answer is because they finance our debt and because big business wouldn''t like it. We''re screwed.

[pensacola88]

The Free Trade isn''t exactly free. If we purchase something and send it to Mexico, the declaration of origin has to be declared on the customs forms. If it came from China and is being sent to Mexico, be prepared to pay a 533% tax on every item that came from China. Few things are produced in the USA, but even American cars are taxed heavily. It helps Mexico export easier to the USA, but companies like Chrysler, who had Mexico produce their PT Cruisers, simply raised their profitability and didn''t pass the tax savings down to the consumers who bought them.

In many ways, Free Trade is a form of corporate welfare and guarantees profitability. Even stockholders have difficulty collecting on the benefits of Free Trade Agreements.

[vranger]

Oscarez references Reagan''s "failed presidency".

Carter, who Obama is cloning himself into, left 17% mortage rates, a 14% prime rate, 11% inflation, and 9% unemployment.

In three years Reagon trimmed that to 8% mortgage rates, a 5% prime, virtually no inflation, and 4% unemployment. Elements of his economic success still effect our economy in positive ways, 20 years after he last year in office.

EVERY American benefitted.

Oscarez, I seriously doubt you''ve had a single success that matches the quaility of what you call Reagan''s failure. ROFL

[ricknuber]

"If free trade was not a good idea then the fifty states would tax the hell out of each others goods. It obviously works. Look at how prosperous we are."
Posted by cbscrash07 at 11:50 AM : Jul 01, 2008

This might have been the least intelligent post of the day.

Comparing trade between states to international trade is comparing apples to oranges. US states share common federal labor and environmental laws enacted to protect American citizens. China, South America and other "free trade" partners have different, or in some cases, no laws of this sort at all.

The unfairness in inherently obvious to all but the most ignorant (or greedy) of Americans. NAFTA only benefit the corporations who take advantage of these agreements to phase out the American worker and outsource all manufacturing and new product development.

The world is laughing at us, the former world leader in innovation and production. Firms like Wal Mart have sold us out for their countless pieces of silver, all the while strengthening the military might of our enemies.

[seis-6-six]

BajaJohn1 ,
I know NAFTA is skewed, and its never fair to the small guy on either country,
NAFTA is not a bad thing, its the lawyers who write the fine print who dont take us into consideration.

[zerato-2009]

In three years Reagon .....................
EVERY American benefitted.

Oscarez, I seriously doubt you''''ve had a single success that matches the quaility of what you call Reagan''''s failure. ROFL

Posted by vranger

National debt when Reagan took office 900 Billion. Debt when Reagan left office 4.5 trillion, He mortgaged the future and we are still paying it off

[Stratmaster7]

We need a balanced budget and declining deficit. This will mean less exposure when negotiating free trade agreements. It is hard to tell your pusher (foreign lenders) you want better trade agreements when they can pull the plug on your fix (dollars from those foreign lenders)

[formrusmcsgt]

John McCain concedes he still has work to do to persuade voters in America''s Rust Belt, where the presidential election could be decided, that his support for free trade will benefit them, not just cost more jobs.
____

Why isn''t he promoting "fair" trade instead of "free" trade?

[kansas1946]

Yes, this free trade goes over like a lead balloon in the northern states. Keep it up John. Obama couldn''t ask for better advertising than you running around in PA and MI promoting free-trade. Nothing is "free."

[floydzepp2]

McCain To Tout Sending Even More Jobs Outside Of America
------------

Vote RINOpublican. Vote Failure. Vote Death To America!

[noloyalisti]

Haven''t these right wing wackos and other corporatists given up on this lie yet. It is free trade for the rich corporations to exploit, while the workers suffer. We need Fair Trade NOT "Free Trade".

[randynason]

"And the most precious commodity I have with the American people is that they trust me." -McCain

I guess that''s why McCain keeps visiting the retirement homes, to build up his "base." -heh-
I haven''t met one single person who thinks trust is a special talent that McCain actually projects. He wishes...

[incog-nito]

America, get ready to have more jobs shipped to Latin American in addition to Asia and India.

[cyberus-2009]

If anyone has any question about where McCains loyalties lie this should make it clear .. business first citizens second

[spadeisspade]

"Betrayal of trust"? Whose trust? Big business? It really seems like that, which SUCKS; I have put my trust in McCain to reach across party lines to get *** done, not to ensure that yet another business will find it more profitable to operate overseas and then ship their goods back for free. I really hope he more thoroughly explains himself (maybe taxing American born companies that go overseas or something), because this really makes me question him even more than I already am.

[l8c6]

Ha, Mr. protect our borders? What a steaming crock of sh*it. No, these hoe politicos are about defending the interests of global capitalist pimps who profit like big fat daddy cotton plantation pigs of days gone by. Swinging on the porch, keeping the whipping boys just happy enough to beat the slaves into submission so fat daddy can bring growth to his private estate.

The american revolution was about uniting a people under one constitution empowering the people to defend against kings, dictators and oligarchs. Politico hoes who have lost sight of this and support global capitalists who gladly deal with dictators unless those dictators don''t tow their line are what is stomping on the aspirations of the american revolution. These politico hoes can wear all the red, white and blue they want and call themselves true blue americans but when they deal with 3rd world dictators who tow their business line at the expense of american citizens that renders them nothing less than big fat hoes who will spread their legs for any golden d*ick. Cheney and his great "american" corporation has moved to Dubai. These are global capitalist, they do not give one rip about american citizens. American citizens have been dumped by these traitors. What else could one expect from these pigs considering how they have treated their wives. Oh, they went after Bill Clinton but these right wings azzholes dump their wives when they have cancer or aren''t pretty enough. It''s their character.