Is Obama Lying About His Position on NAFTA?

[Ugnmoose]

I find this to be very disturbing because it does get to one core principle - truthfullness

snip

Within the last month, a top staff member for Obama’s campaign telephoned Michael Wilson, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, and warned him that Obama would speak out against NAFTA, according to Canadian sources.

The staff member reassured Wilson that the criticisms would only be campaign rhetoric, and should not be taken at face value.

But Tuesday night in Ohio, where NAFTA is blamed for massive job losses, Obama said he would tell Canada and Mexico “that we will opt out unless we renegotiate the core labour and environmental standards.”

Late Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Obama campaign said the staff member’s warning to Wilson sounded implausible, but did not deny that contact had been made.

You must watch this video from Canadian News Outlet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LtbLEKHsi0&eurl=http://noquarterusa.net/blog/

[Oleladylib]

1. he also is quoted as saying that NAFTA had been good for the country

just as Hillary has....We are better off knowing these things now.

[Occam Bandage]

2. The full article claims that both Clinton and Obama staffers are saying the same thing. Which is

unsurprising; of course they're going to reassure Canada and Mexico that they understand that trade policy is slightly more complex than "OMG NAFTA SUCKS."

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

11. I'm sure your characterization is an innocent one, but the article does not say that

(Assuming "the article" refers to the Candian online piece accompanying the TV segment)

The factual claim of Obama's campaign telling the Canadian embassy to disregard Obama's comments as political rhetoric is not offset by a comparable claim about the Clinton campaign.

The article makes its claims about Obama unequivocally, and as fact reporting, not speculation.

It then says (from memory) "lower ranking sources suggested... Clinton camp flatly denied..."

So the article takes pains to distance itself from that as factual reporting, while offering the suggestion for balance.

[GoldieAZ49]

12. "criticisms would only be campaign rhetoric"...Change you can Believe in? Huh!

Within the last month, a top staff member for Obama's campaign telephoned Michael Wilson, Canada's ambassador to the United States, and warned him that Obama would speak out against NAFTA, according to Canadian sources.

The staff member reassured Wilson that the criticisms would only be campaign rhetoric, and should not be taken at face value.

But Tuesday night in Ohio, where NAFTA is blamed for massive job losses, Obama said he would tell Canada and Mexico "that we will opt out unless we renegotiate the core labour and environmental standards."

Late Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Obama campaign said the staff member's warning to Wilson sounded implausible, but did not deny that contact had been made.

"Senator Obama does not make promises he doesn't intend to keep," the spokesperson said.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080227/dems_nafta_080227/20080227?hub=TopStories

[Armstead]

3. If true it's disturbing -- but there was a suspicious edit in there

Something seems to have been chopped out of that YoU-Tube video. Note where they said the spokesman did not deny it....Then there was a pixilation and interrupted sentence.

It looks like somebody chopped something out of that report -- like perhaps a denial that it was likely or something from the Obama guy.

I dunno. But whoever posted that video has some splainin to do.

[griffi94]

5. i saw this earlier

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080227/dems_nafta_080227/20080227?hub=Politics

[hedgehog]

4. As I noted in another thread, I live in upstate New York and haven't

noticed a massive number of American owned factories in Ontario dumping pollution into the air and water while treating workers like shit. Somehow, I don't think free trade with Canada is a threat to American jobs.

[ProSense]

6. "Within the last month"? Is there a disconnect that causes people

to not see the idiocy of that time frame? Obama has been speaking out publicly against NAFTA for years. A story quoting a person from Rove's AEI claiming the somehow Canada needed to be warned this month about something that's been going on for several years is beyond ridiculous.

[babylonsister]

7. There you have it. I guess daily these stories will have to be

quashed.

[ProSense]

8. Obama's campaign confirms that the story is BS!

The sourcing is blind, and I've got a call into the embassy for their take. The Obama campaign is denying it.

"?The news reports on Obama's position on NAFTA are inaccurate and in no way represent Senator Obama?s consistent position on trade," says Obama spokesman Bill Burton. "When Senator Obama says that he will forcefully act to make NAFTA a better deal for American workers, he means it. Both Canada and Mexico should know that, as president, Barack Obama will do what it takes to create and protect American jobs and strengthen the American economy -- that includes amending NAFTA to include labor and environmental standards. We are currently reaching out to the Canadian embassy to correct this inaccuracy."

link

[GoldieAZ49]

15. Just heard this story reported on cable news, we will see if it has legs

They said Obama campaign is denying it, no surprise there...hopefully it will be followed up on

[GoldieAZ49]

9. I am a one issue voter - the issue is: TRUST

I have emailed the cable news stations the article from the Canadian newspaper

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080227/dems_nafta_080227/20080227?hub=TopStories

Thank you for the youtube link as well.

This is not change I can believe in, I feel duped voting for Obama back on Feb 5th, the voters in Ohio and Texas need to know about this and Obama needs to address it.

[Levgreee]

14. I sincerely doubt you voted for Obama

It is evident by your rhetoric, and dismissing him on NAFTA before actually researching this news item

[GoldieAZ49]

17. oh the shine has been wearing off for over a week now

and I have read the article and looking for more info, emailing the cable news to cover it, they have better resources than I do for 'researching'.

Not only did I vote for him, but pitched him to my mom and sister that voted for him as well.

I am having sincere doubts about the man and his rhetoric now.

[cali]

10. NO.

"The news reports on Obama's position on NAFTA are inaccurate and in no way represent Senator Obama’s consistent position on trade. When Senator Obama says that he will forcefully act to make NAFTA a better deal for American workers, he means it. Both Canada and Mexico should know that, as president, Barack Obama will do what it takes to create and protect American jobs and strengthen the American economy -- that includes amending NAFTA to include labor and environmental standards. We are currently reaching out to the Canadian embassy to correct this inaccuracy," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton."

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

13. Read the WORDS. That is a non-denial of the facts reported

The Obama campaign is not denying that they told the Canadian embassy to disregard his NAFTA comments as political rhetoric. They do not address the factual claim at all!

This statement makes a vague claim about the nature of "Senator Obama’s consistent position on trade," and makes no claims about what his campaign did or did not communicate to Canada.

"The news reports on Obama's position on NAFTA are inaccurate..."

They are saying they disagree in a vague way with an un-specifiable characterization of his policy in "news reports." The "inaccuracy" is unspecified.


Nothing approaching a contradiction of the factual claims about the "political rhetoric" message to the Canadians is offered.



"The news reports on Obama's position on NAFTA are inaccurate and in no way represent Senator Obama’s consistent position on trade. When Senator Obama says that he will forcefully act to make NAFTA a better deal for American workers, he means it. Both Canada and Mexico should know that, as president, Barack Obama will do what it takes to create and protect American jobs and strengthen the American economy -- that includes amending NAFTA to include labor and environmental standards. We are currently reaching out to the Canadian embassy to correct this inaccuracy," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton."

[cali]

19. I suggest you read this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4808801

looks like it never happened.

[kennetha]

16. Obama is a two-faced liar

Says one thing to win votes in Ohio. Says another thing in private to a foreign government. New politics my arse. THe guy is an old-style CHicago pol in sheep's clothing.

[debbierlus]

18. They are BOTH corporatists. Man, woman, minority. IT IS THE POLICIES

Not the image that ultimately count....

DU has lost its collective mind.