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McCain Lobs Criticism on Obama from the North
June 20, 2008 4:54 PM
ABC News’s Bret Hovell reports: The presumptive Republican nominee for president traveled to Canada Friday, and tried to walk a delicate line, in criticizing his rival for the White House but not overdoing the intra-American fighting while on foreign soil.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., opened his remarks to the Economic Club of Canada here in Ottawa by noting that the U.S.’s northern neighbor has become a topic of conversation in the American presidential campaign. He cited the close economic and cultural ties between the two nations as one explanation, but also took the opportunity to reference his Democratic rival's position taken some months ago regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Earlier this year, during the Democratic primary battle, the Illinois Democrat said that the US should re-examine and possibly renegotiate the trade pact.
McCain, who calls NAFTA a success, ttributes millions of new jobs in both the United States and Canada to the trade agreement's implementation.
“And even now, for all the successes of NAFTA, we have to defend it without equivocation in political debate, because it is critical to the future of so many Canadian and American workers and businesses,” McCain said in his speech, referring to Obama’s criticisms of the treaty. “Demanding unilateral changes and threatening to abrogate an agreement that has increased trade and prosperity is nothing more than retreating behind protectionist walls.”
Even while McCain was criticizing his rival in another country, he made sure not to utter Obama’s name, a caution he likely would not have taken here in the US.
When asked by reporters after his prepared remarks, whether the trip to Canada wasn’t just a staged opportunity for him to make his criticism of Obama's position on trade, McCain disagreed, contending that his trip north was not a political one.
“This has nothing to do with that, with that or the political campaign,” McCain said.
McCain has regularly said that politics should stop at the water’s edge, meaning that American politicians should not criticize each other from abroad.
But McCain seemed to try to have it both ways.
As McCain was completing his speech in Canada, his press office circulating to reporters a statement from the Republican senator that was a a harsh criticism of the position Obama took on NAFTA during the Democratic primary, when he was competing for the votes of many blue collar workers who believe that NAFTA has cost them jobs.
“Barack Obama knew better,” the statement read, referring to Obama’s remarks that he would consider renegotiating the trade deal. “America has not had a protectionist president since Herbert Hoover, but Barack Obama held his position anyway to further his cynical political purposes in the primary campaign.”
McCain insisted that his trip to Canada was like ones he has taken in recent months to Europe and the Middle East – part of his responsibility as a Senator to travel the world.
But today’s trip to Canada was organized and paid for by McCain’s presidential campaign. His previous overseas trips during the campaign season were organized through his Senate office and paid for by the government.
“We didn’t feel it was appropriate for the taxpayers while I am the nominee of my party to pay for a trip that would have accrued to the cost of the taxpayers,” McCain said when asked why this trip was different.
June 20, 2008 in Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (69)
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What does Obama know, he has never worked a day in his life.
Posted by: John Simmons in Fl. | Jun 20, 2008 9:12:48 PM
People keep saying nuclear power is "safe". It's NOT. They have not found a way to deal with the waste. And you suggest we just create more of it? Let our grandchildren deal with it right?
There have been nuclear accidents that prove we cannot safely control nuclear power. That's not "tree hugger" mentality, the events occured. They are fact. Go buy a house at Three Mile Island. It's a buyer's market in Chernobyl from what I hear.
The people who propose nuclear power are the same people who will go nuts if the plant is built in their town. And no doubt, they'll want to ship the waste somewhere else where it will magically disappear - in 10,000 years.
Can you fathom that number? More and more waste being stockpiled in containers that have to last about as long as civilization has been on earth. STUPID, STUPID IDEA!
Nukers are fine as long as someone else takes the risk for them while they enjoy the benefits.
There are over 360,000,000 acres of land owned by oil companies that have not been utilized yet. And yet they "need" to drill offshore and build nuclear poer plants? They are not even operating their current production facilities at full capaity.
Did it ever occur to you that oil companies WANT the prices high. They are only in business to make money. That's what business is about. And they've made record profits for four straight years! Why would they want things to change?
We have the ability to lower the energy costs. But it's against the interest of those who control these resources to do it.
You folks insult everyone who disagrees with you but then you gladly ignore the FACTS about nuclear power to try and make a point.
I don't care which politician promotes nuclear power, it's a short sided, STUPID solution that can (and it already has) have catastropic consequences. Do you not realzize the accidents WILL happen again?
If they can discover a way to neutralize radioactivity, (Nuke Away perhaps)then build. But no one has done that yet.
Cheney is directly tied to the pro-nuclear lobby. McCain is just taking his lead.
It's not about Americas energy needs. It's simply about money. That's GOP politics and it needs to change.
Posted by: STUPID IDEA | Jun 20, 2008 9:14:50 PM
Let's hope Obama visits Kenya and stays there, with his 451, half-brothers and sisters.
Posted by: Ray in Orange Park | Jun 20, 2008 9:15:13 PM
In our navy, most of the submarines and carriers are nuclear powered. If it's good enough for our military, it's good enough for me.
McCain is right, as Obama is Wright...
Posted by: Michael in Kings Bay, GA | Jun 20, 2008 9:20:18 PM
If we had additional nuclear power plants, this could free up oil, natural gas and other fuels. At least the republicans are on track on our energy needs.
Posted by: James R. | Jun 20, 2008 9:22:56 PM
where has obama been against nuclear power---just asking
Posted by: rodney | Jun 20, 2008 9:25:08 PM
If gas gets to 10 bucks a gallon, you will beg for nuclear energy. Obama can run on his hot air, as his mouth never seems to rest !!!
Your right James R
Posted by: Nolan in GA. | Jun 20, 2008 9:26:21 PM
McCain visits Canada, Obama wants to talk with crazy dictators all over the world. Obama, your lack of experience is visible.
Posted by: James in Tampa | Jun 20, 2008 9:31:56 PM
@ Rodney,
Obama has received huge donations from big oil, ask him.
Posted by: Rudy M. | Jun 20, 2008 9:33:45 PM
I like McCains idea on energy. Build nuclear plants and drill for oil, maybe we can sell oil, to foreign countries, in the future for 500/barrel.
Obama - go play with your windmills.
Posted by: Paul Kline | Jun 20, 2008 9:37:11 PM
you people just dont get it--drill all the holes you want and guess what---oil is sold on world market and would be of no benifit to you--you are playing right into the hands of big oil---we produce approx 10% of what we use----alternate fuel and power are the only answer.do your homework.
Posted by: rodney | Jun 20, 2008 9:41:22 PM
paul
5 miles away from my home are 13 windmills and each supply enough for approx 400 homes-----57 more are being constructed--guess windmills are not so bad after all.
Posted by: rodney | Jun 20, 2008 9:54:18 PM
Growing aldea for fuel is more profitable than growing corn.One acre land would produce corn for about 200 galon fuel, but algea would produce about 7000 galon fuel.
Posted by: Nancy | Jun 20, 2008 10:00:40 PM
nafta has sucked all the jobs out of this area------if mccain thinks that is a great thing i hope that the canadians keep him--just dont charge us for his care----senile old buzzard
Posted by: rodney | Jun 20, 2008 10:01:04 PM
nancy
there are many alternatives-----first big oil government must go.
Posted by: rodney | Jun 20, 2008 10:02:37 PM
here are a few more facts----90 miles off our coast CUBA one of largest supply of sugar cane one of the best for making fuel-----we do not associate with cuba--but blood sucking china is ok-destroying our economy
Posted by: rodney | Jun 20, 2008 10:08:00 PM
mafta is the blight on our economy, i have no problem with fair trade with canada or european nations or japan but no third world country because they pay there employees two beans and a dead chicken a day how will we americans ever be able to compete with that. republicans have no idea how economy works they think we give huge tax breaks to the rich and they will create new jobs. well the rich have been getting welfare from the government since ronnie reagan desided that trickle down econimics would be great way to make the rich richer.
Posted by: tom | Jun 20, 2008 10:15:34 PM
tom world trade is fine as long as there is balance-----at the rate china is going due to deficit they will soon own our country----bushy borrows money from china to give us tax refund--and then pays interest--sucking more out of us.
Posted by: rodney | Jun 20, 2008 10:22:34 PM
The Dumbest Generation
· A SIMPLE QUESTION :
____Are you better off Now than you were 2 years ago when you voted for C H A N G E AND THE DEMOCRATS GAINED CONTROL OF BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS?
Gas06 $2.00, Gas08 $4.00plus
Food up 30-40%
The Economy Tanking
DEMOCRAT MISERY INDEX:
_____ GAS + FOOD = BROKE
YOU WANTED CHANGE, YOU GOT IT
EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME FROM OBAMA IF HE BECOMES PRESIDENT
Posted by: TERRY | Jun 20, 2008 10:25:08 PM
Rodney, Obama has admitted several times he has received donations from big oil. Obama is all talk and it's starting to become apparent even the most liberal people here.
McCain '08
Posted by: Ryan | Jun 20, 2008 10:26:13 PM
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