CNN

Should be noted that previous Australian president John Howards is a conservative and that his criticism of Obama should be taken in that light.

for all the doubters
http://obama.senate.gov/press/070613-obama_to_paulso/

"What matters more? Appeasing China, or protecting OUR children?

Posted By Ron, TX : December 21, 2007 3:20 pm"

This is not about "appeasing" China. If you haven't properly read the news, China is the world's fastest growing economy. I don't think China will care if Obama (if he became President) banned toys. What's important is that Obama doesn't make stupid comments like this. He angers both his allies and his enemies, and by making that comment, he has just angered one of the strongest countries in the world.

Don't worry Michelle will straighten it all out - She's the one who is "always right in the family"

Go Michelle/Oprah '08

This is one more reason for me to support Obama. Afraid to upset communist china? no. Afraid to put our monetary interest related to toys above the safety of our children? absolutely not. When Hillary Clinton attacks Obama for his comment we will know that she is afraid. Like Obama says, the same old politics and foreign policy just won't do.

What's wrong with his statement? A child does bad, you punish them...they get punished they don't do it again.

There's a reason for rules...and for rules to work they should be enforced.

GO OBAMA!!

Here comes the initial foriegn policy flip-flop from our Illinois junior Senator inexperienced in giving statements:

"Earlier this week, Obama said at a campaign event that he would “stop the import of all toys from China,”.....On criticism from China Obama BACKTRACKS and says: “Now, don’t get me wrong: as president, I’ll work with China to keep harmful toys off our shelves. But I’ll also immediately take steps to ensure that all toys are independently tested before they reach our stores, and I’ll significantly increase penalties on companies that break the rules.”"

What all Obama will ban what he will not is a judgment call which Obama has a lot of! 90% of imports to the US are from China. China enjoys the most favored nation status for perpetuity.

It is this stranglehold giving the likes of Walmart lobby a distinct advantage for perpetuity! This will change in a Clinton administration. China's most favored nation status will have to be passed on re-evaluation by the Congress on an annual basis.

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/

Jose Card posted: "Somebody posted that Americans are just cheap so they buy Chinese. The problem is that after millions of jobs were lost overseas, Wal-Mart and Chinese toys are what many Americans can afford." That's a seductive argument to make, and many protectionists make it. It's hard to argue against because it's a chicken-or-the-egg situation (maybe a Phd Economists could enlighten us). However, I think people are cheap because it's engrained in our genetics. Do you want to pay $10 for prodcut A or $20 for product B, both have the same benefits? What if I told you that buying product B will help someone you don't know in Kansas? Or, to use a more ancient example: do you want the coconut that just fell out of the tree or the one still up there?

SENATOR OBAMA… I THINK WHAT SOME
FOLKS ARE SAYING IS… IT'S O.K. TO
DESTROY A COUNTRY… OR THREATEN THEM
WITH WORLD WAR III… OR CALL THEM
NAMES…. AXIS OF EVIL….. BUT
DON'T DARE INTERFERE WITH OIL OR
DANGEROUS FOREIGN IMPORTS OR OSAMA
BIN LADEN, WHO FOR SOME REASON DOES
NOT INTEREST THE WHITE HOUSE.

Posted By GRACE : December 23, 2007 2:10 am

Well Ma'am, I think that you candidate who is most likely by your unneeded tone Hillary Clinton is one of the helping reasons why we are in Iraq today, so take that up with her.

Hello Jose Card,

Without a doubt I will apologize to those who I place in harms way. In fact that is what was done by the corporation who brought these products across. Not only did they apologize to the consumer but to the Chinese government for themselves not putting into place metrics to review quotes and completed goods that would prevent such issues from arising. I applaud this corporation for publicly making these statements, I can now move on and purchase their product without protest; they see the root issue and are addressing it. That is where Obama should have directed his attention. Ensuring metrics are in place that prevents such situations from occurring. When a supplier system chooses based upon the lowest bid and that very bid resulted in a losing proposition for the supplier unless he use unsafe materials there is a system issue. Obama demonstrated to me that he does not understand the root issue. If Obama had said we need to put into place metrics to protect the consumer from processes that lead to unsafe toys I would be applauding him. To make a statement that we need to stop importing toys from China demonstrated he is uneducated on the topics, speaking to rally an emotional vote in a very irresponsible way or both, I have a feeling it is the latter and that is scary to me. We need a president who looks for the root issue and addresses that, not one who leads through rallying people behind them emotionally based upon false reality.

As to exploiting children, you too need to visit the factories in China with an eye on where it was 20 years ago. You need to walk the streets and see the interaction between parent and child and witness the family interactions around dinner time within the restaurants frequented by the common worker. Is the work environment perfect today, no… in fact I too could bring cameras over there and say look there is a youth sitting next to their parent on an assembly line and tell America how China does not care to create a story of false pretence! But this would tell you that I am uneducated on the big picture and emotionally charged. The fact though, I continue to observe a system that is changing towards the better. What was America like at the start of the industrial revolution? I was not around but I think it might have parallels to China today. Criticize if the process is not improving but help if they are committed to changing for the better. If you study cultures you will realize such changes takes years, so track the changes China is making. I applaud the controlled progression I observe.

I ask those running for office to demonstrate to me that they can look an issue in the eyes and address the root causes. Obama tried to grab an emotional vote which was irresponsible while exposing his weakness: his lack of global experiences. Right now we cannot afford another president who rallies on emotion opposed to the root issue.

Most Americans taxes are making them suffer. It's the cost of all the goods and services they need to survive and compete in the modern industrialized world of the 21St Century. What most Americans need is a "pay raise" not a "tax cut"–vote Democratic and make everybody pay their fair share to the tax man.

Rigid standards should be enforced. The cavalier manner that China uses to regulate their manufacturing, food, and pharmaceutical industry–should give us alarm. If they don't improve on their own–I say we let them sell their crap to the Chinese people–not Americans. Lets cut some chinese jobs and bring the quality back to the US–make the name "Made In America" important and valued again.

I totally agree with Senator Obama. Not only would this action make a safer America for children, but would bring some jobs back to America. He has my vote in part because he doesn't skirt around issues.

Jim, Earl and James

Does anyone else remember foreign officials taking aim at presidential primary candidates? I'd be eager to hear some examples…

Yes, Jim. Her name is Hillary. Hillary brought up this same subject last month (and in August to the Consumer Product Safety Commission) and the chinese government criticized her publicly as well. I beleive they called it slander. Look it up.

Surprising isn't it, Earl?

SENATOR OBAMA... I THINK WHAT SOME
FOLKS ARE SAYING IS... IT'S O.K. TO
DESTROY A COUNTRY... OR THREATEN THEM
WITH WORLD WAR III... OR CALL THEM
NAMES.... AXIS OF EVIL..... BUT
DON'T DARE INTERFERE WITH OIL OR
DANGEROUS FOREIGN IMPORTS OR OSAMA
BIN LADEN, WHO FOR SOME REASON DOES
NOT INTEREST THE WHITE HOUSE.

Are you serious? Or was this a joke?

What is wrong with you people? There is no problem with Chinese toys that the free market won't fix if we can just prevent the Lib-Commie-Socialist-leftwingers from ruining it. It's simple Econ 101.

As more children die from lead poisoning, their parents will tend to purchase toys from other retailers. The 'invisible hand' of the market will gradually direct retailers to stop buying toys from producers who use lead-based paints. Over the years, we will see fewer and fewer children dying or getting sick.

Mainly, what America really needs is a big tax cut to stimulate the economy so parents will be able to afford to buy more toys for their children every Christmas. That would put Christ back into Christmas, now, wouldn't it.

Vote Conservative.

Posted By Terry, El Paso, TX :

Are you saying that we just keep buying Chinese toys knowing all along that they are going to kill our kids...then just wait until enough of them have died to end up not buying those products due to a lack of demand? I thought I couldn't be surprised by the lack of compassion with some people, but this comment simply cannot be serious??? Do you have children? I protect mine and expect that our country would do the same. Can you imagine the lawsuits that would happen if this were the way we handled things? All of that money you think you would be saving would certainly be eaten up by the legal system.

There he goes, attacking Hillary Clinton again. I wonder if the media and viewers will give him another pass at negative campaigning, while blasting Hillary for defending herself. On the substance of his c0mments: it's hypocritical for Obama to 1) insist he's the new "change" candidate and at the same time 2) boast that he's a friend of Clinton advisors from the 90s. Can't have it both ways, Barack. If the Clinton era of the 90s is so stale, why would you associate yourself with anyone from that administration? Obama is NOT authentic.

Posted By Robyn, San Diego : December 22, 2007 10:08 am

Robyn thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one who see's the Senator from Illinois talking out of both sides of his mouth..."change", new ideas, "getting away from the old way of doing things in Washington"...but using the same advisors from the Clinton camp, the same ones from that "washington esatablishment of old" that he snidely tries to put down when its convenient.

I agree with Dan, San Diego CA – China is not the enemy, our own consumerism is. The Chinese people are some of the kindest people on the planet. I don't think Obama meant to offend anyone, but don't try to make someone else the scapegoat for your own personal excesses. Find ways to do without all the garbage in your life. You can't take it with you and it doesn't make you any better as a person.

"Obama, you owe the people of China an apology." – Dan, San Diego, CA.

After millions of recalled Chinese toys, Obama wants to ban Chinese toys, not the Chinese people. I think Dan is overstretching Obama's statements here. "There are always good and bad people in every country." There are, of course, plenty of good people in China. Among the billions of people in China, I am sure they have more than a few bad apples, who would add toxic chemicals to products sold to not only Americans, but also Chinese.

Obama is talking factually, while Dan is talking emotionally after frequent trips to China as an importer. Dan wants to watch his pocketbook. We want to protect our future generations.

I agree with Dan that the Chinese workers are good people, but many of them are also victims of the Chinese economic expansion with some Americans' helping hands. If you go to the China Blog on
http://www.time.com,
you will read first-hand how some Chinese think of Americans in China. They are called white trash or worse.

Perhaps Dan may consider an apology to the angry exploited Chinese workers and our children, who grew up with toxic Chinese toys. Recently, Lou Dobbs on CNN reported that some Chinese-made baby bibs also contain lead.

Some of these cheap workers are also children. American companies probably won't tolerate the negative publicity that goes with hiring 10-year olds, otherwise they will hire cheaper child labor and claim to be heroes in helping their families. Greed can drive many people insane. We cannot trust the Chinese products, because they have possibly the worst corruptions in the world. With corruptions, there is no rule of law. Since we cannot sue Chinese contractors from the U.S., the only protection we have is to ban their products. Mattel apologized to the Chinese government for ruining their reputation, not to the American children, who have had more lead than their little body can take.

Somebody posted that Americans are just cheap so they buy Chinese. The problem is that after millions of jobs were lost overseas, Wal-Mart and Chinese toys are what many Americans can afford.

Why do we want to invest in China only? Why would you put all your eggs in one basket? That's exactly what happened to Mattel. Another toy company, Hasbro is doing well and they diversify their investments.

Obama hit the nail right on the head.
If we continue being a trade victim to China, we are acting like a country of lead heads already.

Obama's statement shows how inexperienced he is with regard to foreign policy.
Who knows, if he becomes president, he may say this: " We will bomb China and Russia into the stone age if they don’t tow our line.”

He is not fit to be a president of the U.S.

As an importer and frequent visitor of Chinese factories, Obama has demonstrated his lack of understanding of the Chinese people. The Chinese factory owners and the workers of the factories are genuinely good hearted people who want to make a better life for themselves through providing quality products on a global basis. There are bad apples all around the world and to be very honest I have fond fewer of them in China than other places including this country. I love America but it discuss me when a generalization is made like the arrogant one made by Obama about other countries. Obama needs to walk the streets of China, eat in the restaurants where the general public eats at and visit the factories filled by people who are dedicated to providing the world quality manufactured goods. Again I am an American in heart and love to see made in America but the people of the world are good people too.

Obama, you owe the people of China an apology.

Importing and exporting goods is one of the most critical issues of foreign policy. Considering how popular imported toys from China are in the United States, this Christmas season would definitely not be over without marking the 2008 American presidential. After presidential candidate Biden, Obama has decided to point the finger at China over the safety of its manufactured toys. And once again, Obama has made the legitimate difference in leadership by jeopardizing his credentials as a leader.
From the war in Iraq to a potential war in Iran and now the importation of toys from China, Obama has been only been showing his not so popular but justified and strong judgment on issues that affect our lives as Americans. He may not be the most experienced character but he surely is showing that he can redefine "the politics as usual" format in Washington only by willing to go beyond the status quo. That is definition of a strong leader.
It is so unfortunate that we have so many introvert minded people who measure life up to their level or capacity of reflection. Thousands of words are being used to describe other candidates but only two-naive and inexperienced, are used to describe Obama on any subject. That is so senseless. I may be wrong but I think it’s because everything now has to do with campaign war between Obama and Hillary.
It is a proven fact toys imported from China are not safe. Most of them are poisoned and the worst is that we do not have any effective inspection team at work to control them. The fact that they are well aware of the situations and not showing credible effort to solve, I think some action must be taken until we get our team at work and they get their act together.
Many people claimed that Obama's position on the issue is naive and inexperienced, only because that would affect the Chino-American business relation. How ridiculous! That man is a U.S. Senator who has swore to serve and protect his country. He is only doing his job. He is talking about what the president should have considered a long time ago. He is talking about what the whole Congress should have been doing. He is doing what every father and mother should have been calling for.
Our kids are being poisoned. Are we trading our kids' lives over political agreement? Who has the duty to defend America, Obama or Qin Gang? Come on America. Over the past few years, members of Congress have demanded stricter enforcement of U.S. China goods but only to see the worst happening. It's time for an executive decision just like other countries have done to some U.S. products when we fail to meet their safety standards.
I am not supporting Obama but as a father, I thank him for his position on the issue. Hopefully, he will not stop defending our interests whether or not he wins the democratic nomination for the 2008. His idea is not popular. But let’s not forget how supportive we were of the war in Iraq. Is America safer today?

November 15, 2007
"Clinton calls for closer eye on U.S. imports"

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/15/clinton-calls-for-closer-eye-on-us-imports/

"If we don't impose a third party independent investigative arm on our corporations that do business in China, as well as the Chinese government, we should not permit any items to be imported into our country," she said.

Why didn't China blast on Hillary when she threatened to ban Chinese imports if they don't shape up back in November?

Now China hammered on Obama's similar comments on Chinese imports to the U.S.

This may have explained why Norman Hsu and many other Chinese donors showered Hillary with mysterious legal and illegal donations. Hillary had to return nearly one million dollars of donations from Hsu.

Perhaps that's why Bill claims to be a world-class genius with a smirk.

What's the real deal between the Clintons and the Chinese?

Whom can you trust?

Why is he attacking China? Perhaps he should be attacking the American Companies that are taking jobs away from American Citizens so that the CEOs of these companies can fatten their packets. So if China is prevented from shipping toys to the US, will the Thomas the Tank Engine train be stamped with "Made in the USA". For some reason I don't think that will occur. American companies will simply find another country to exploit.
Posted By Sam I Am, NY : December 21, 2007 10:12 pm

I like your comment 100%; It's American greedy business that is destroying our home and destroying our generation. It has nothing to do with Chinese product. These CEO who die for money will find another developing company to make toys with lead paint.

Obama Hussein Barack is 100% inexperience to make those statements; you silly boy Hussein makes me laugh when i hear your speeches.

So Sen. Obama, who has only been in the senate for two years- during which time he has missed nearly 80% of his votes- has made both China and Australia angry already. Is this the kind of foreign policy we need? And only yesterday, British diplomats- who recognized that Obama has only visited Europe once or twice in his life- expressed concern that Obama's foreign experience resembled too closely the lack of foreign policy experience with which Pres. Bush entered office in 2001.

Don't we desperately need something better?

Go MITT 2008!

Jim, Earl and James

Does anyone else remember foreign officials taking aim at presidential primary candidates? I'd be eager to hear some examples…

Yes, Jim. Her name is Hillary. Hillary brought up this same subject last month and the chinese government criticized her as well. Yahoo it.

No, wait. Here is one: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071123/pl_afp/usvote2008chinaclinton

Surprising isn't it, Earl?

Here's a fuller account of what Obama said: ‘I would stop the import of all toys from China. Now, I have to say that that's about 80 percent of toys that are being imported right now. We have the power right now to set up our own inspection systems in China. The Japanese do this on food, they basically say to China, you cannot import food unless you meet our safety inspectors. They sent Japanese inspectors to China, set up the testing system, and oversee and make sure that every single bite of food that is sent into Japan from China has been tested. We don't do that. We have just a handful of people who are inspecting all the toys that are flooding into the country. The big toy makers now manufacture in China and import here and they have put pressure to resist a strong regulatory system.’

Lets not forget China has banned American films.

Hmm, the people I see opposed to this statement are: The Chinese Communist Party, free-market-without-protection advocates, and Hillary Clinton supporters.

I don't know about you, but I find that particular peanut gallery hilarious as well as instructive.

1. Why *shouldn't* we protect our children and have a ban until we are sure those kids will be thought of FIRST and not as an afterthought?

2. Why is demanding a superior product for out hard-earned money spent a BAD thing?

3. Hillary's so-called "experience" is trumped by any number of better candidates, Richardson and Biden being the best of that batch. If I truly was only voting on experience, I'd be voting for someone other than her.

Acutally, I'm really surprised that this comment got greenlit, seeing as its blatantly ignorant and offensive. Earl really thinks those nefarious Chinese donors are shaking hands with Clinton behind closed doors and promising to throw in a bash at Obama sometime? Does Earl also wear a tinfoil hat and live in a bunker with an unlimited supply of canned beans?

Posted By Anna, New York, New York : December 21, 2007 10:08 pm

Does the name Hsu mean anything to you? I mean, really, he was a huge fundraiser for Hillary who is a Chinese criminal.

Or how about this?

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10202007/news/nationalnews/hills_cash_eyed_as_chinese_lau.htm

No. Hillary is totally innocent, Anna. Please take off your blinders before you make accusations about infoil hats. It's clear the Clintons are in bed with the Chinese. If you want 100 more articles, I will be glad to post them.

This Obama wants have more enemy than friend i guess.

Say not to Obama Hussein Barack = inexperience and no stand candidate.

Obama's inexperience clearly shows in his most recent foreign affairs policy suggestions.
This man clearly does not understand presidency yet. I can see how Obama appeals to the younger crowd. His talks of change. His talks of the Iraq war. Sure appealing. But not in the best interest of this nation.
This man sidesteps questions. Look at the Australian Prime Minister comment. Instead of defending himself, explaining why he thought he was right, he merely said "i take that as a compliment", and shrugged off the whole thing.
This man is "clearly" not presidential material, and I truely feel for the people who are so closed minded, they think he should run this nation.

If this is an example of O'Bumble's foreign relations 'instinct', I say drop this clown like a very hot potato.

He hasn't even made it to the Primary and already he his increasing the distance between any meaningful dialogue with other nations, except to piss them off.

Please, O'Bumble, go back and do what you were marginally successful at, and that is working in the communities of Chicago...leave the Big League politics to those who have the experience to know how to act.

Brice Patras says in his post: "What an upside down world. Mattel pretends to an American company . They spends millions on special interests to protect their interests, NOT our kids' welfare – yet, they employ almost no skilled American workers." Bruce you are totally ignorant. Mattel has a massive complex of HUGE buildings in El Sugundo CA near LAX airport with thousands of high-paid workers. It's a huge campus full of inventors, designers, art directors, engineers, product managers, graphic designers, marketing people, executives. I can go on and on and on listing the thousands of white-collar workers they employ there. That's not to mention the similar building they have in NY for Fisher-Price. Or Hasbro's complexes in R.I. and Mass. Or a thousand other U.S. toy companies that employ such professionals (I have a database listing every single one because I'm in the industry). Go to Toy Fair in NY and you'll see like 50,000 Americans and a few dozen Chinese. I've worked with Mattel, I know the reality and you are clueless like most people about the toy industry.

A statement like this sets the stage for future negotiations. You start from a position of strength and it gives you room for a compromise that is reasonable for both.

Anyone who's had dealings with China knows that if you don't push back hard, they will walk all over you.

This shows that Obama knows exactly what he's doing in the foreign policy arena.

This is exactly why I believe that a person is smart but collectively people are unbelievably stupid. Why wouldn't you want to ban toys from china? I dunno about you but I'd love to poison my kids with lead paint. Where are the parents in this country to stand up and protect your own children. It seems perfectly logical to me with all the lead paint on toys and GHB on some weird dots toy and who knows what else. We should stop the import of all toys from china. When is common sense going to prevail in this country. I'm glad Mr. Obama has the courage to say what he believes, and you know what on this issue I agree with him 1000%!

And I thought all toys were made at the North Pole. What a disappointment. This just ruined my Christmas.

I can only applaud Obama's courageous statement. Toxic toys for our children. Toxis pet food for our family pets (and their toys should be tested too), fish from polluted waters for us. Surely our dishes have lead in them too. What will China not do for greed. Hard to think they don't know what they are doing. The just got caught. They should clean up their standards, but they would rather make a quick buck. Thanks for wanting to protect our kids, Obama!

BINGO: J. McKinney SW MO: Dec 21 7:57pm HIT THE NAIL SQUARELY ON THE HEAD: "...are you who are posting these comments aware of the amount of money we have borrowed from China to fund the war? We are in absolutely NO position to try to get too bossy with them. They pretty well have us over a barrel, if they would decide to demand repayment of the money they have lent us. WE NEED TO USE DIPLOMACY, NOT THREATS, WHEN WE WORK WITH THEM..."

WAKE UP PEEPS: CHINA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and other economies in Southeast Asia are FINANCING AMERICA'S continuous and growing current-account DEFICITS. That means Asia buys a lot of American bonds. WHICH MEANS IF China calls in the promisory notes they're holding = the American economy collapses (b/c we don't have enough gold reserves to back them – "America is essentially floating paper" )

The naivete of the American masses is truly astounding!!

THE RUSH TO RATIONALIZE Senator Obama's declaration are pretty sketchy2:
"...anyone can tell that 'We should STOP all toy imports from China' is an oversimplification of what Obama said, he didn't actually say just that. He was most likely outlining a list of different possible solutions and scenarios." And posted by Gatsby, Newark, DE: Dec 21 4:14pm "A full quote of what Obama ACTUALLY said. Pay careful attention to the LACK of the word "ban". 'I would STOP the import of all toys from China. Now I have to say, that's about 80% of toys that are being imported right now,' he said, but did not provide details on how such a 'ban' would be carried out."

CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUND OF COURSE:
"I think that the recent spat of foreign criticizm is interesting given Hillary's recent call in the polls. I have a sneaking suspicion that Hillary is working her connections with foreign officials to draw criticism down on Obama from afar (Gee I didn't think Hillary HAD any foreign official connections since all she did was have tea & cookies with the other foreign leaders' wives). Does anyone else remember foreign officials taking aim at presidential primary candidates? I'd be eager to hear some examples" Posted By Jim: Dec 21 4:37pm

"It's the Chinese Clinton donors coming to Hillary's aid once again through trashing Obama. This is somehow surprising to people?" Posted By Earl, Ohio: Dec 21 4:59 pm

"Expect the Clinton camp to oversimplify and downright distort what Obama said. Be an informed voter" Posted By Earl, Ohio: Dec 21 4:59pm

FUNNIEST COMMENT:
"when I was younger, half of my toys were made in China…it makes me wonder how many of those toys had lead in them."

Hmmmm so do we

BTB: Some of my friends were affected by the tainted pet food, and yes, I think there need to be stricter import regulations – gained by diplomacy and working W/the Chinese – not by foolish threats.

RE' Rggie from Germany.
The word "TYPO" does not need an apostophe. It is a simple plural.

He was wrong, but not for the reasons Hillary will give. Chinese products are substandard and dangerous because American corporations demand low, low prices, which includes low, low safety (and labor/human rights) standards. Obama and the rest should be pointing fingers at the US Chamber of Commerce for threatening to withdraw manufacturing from China if they don't deliver the cheapest goods on the planet.

The idea of Obama's statement is to put the threat on the table to get the Chinese to increase their sense of urgency.

Further proof that the Oval Office is no place for a greenhorn.

J McKinney-

"But, are you who are posting these comments aware of the amount of money we have borrowed from China to fund the war? We are in absolutely NO position to try to get too bossy with them. They pretty well have us over a barrel, if they would decide to demand repayment of the money they have lent us. We need to use diplomacy, not threats, when we work with them. Hillary? we're counting on you. We need you. Hillary, '08!!!!!!!"
----------

So you are saying the health of our children is less important than upsetting China? I completely disagree. Obama is right! We should stop all imports until we can prove they are safe. THAT is the job of the government, to ensure our safety. This government is not doing it now.

"Obama has made a bold statement in protecting the future of America"

NOT SO !
Here is the fact: He made so many bold statements, none of them carried out or reflected in his voting records. "130 present" record is a big number, shows a lot of what kind of candidate he is.

In today's world, just like the way you choose a friend. DON'T GO BY WHAT HE SAID, GO BY WHAT HE HAS DONE. Then you will have a clear choice.

I thought Democrats were going to make the rest of the world "love us again".

I realized one thing: I don't know Obama well. When I listen to his speech, excited !!! But when he anwsers questions or some challenges, he seems to have a lack of depth. Hillary is very sharp and always thinks ahead of us. She can tell you the anwsers in depth, show precedures and ways to solve them, very organized and makes sense. She DOES has experince. Another thing I don't like is Obama has Clinton advisors for his campaign. It seems that he knows Hillary is better than him, and he can use those advisors to attack Hill on his behalf, without himself doing it.
Mn, I better be careful not to be fooled here.

Obama and all candidates should back a total ban on all China made toys. It is simply our children lives at stake. Zero lead in any product. We banned it 30 years ago. China's slave labor and illegal use of banned metals are so far from what we are truly about in the USA.

What an upside down world. Mattel pretends to an American company . They spends millions on special interests to protect their interests, NOT our kids' welfare – yet, they employ almost no skilled American workers. They own no factories anywhere. And when we try to fine them for killing our kids they complain about possible loss of america jobs ???

We went lead free 30 yrs ago, Barak is correct. Please read his whole speech not just a sound bite. Put the ball in China's court to fix there own shabby world.

peace bruce

What is wrong with you people? There is no problem with Chinese toys that the free market won't fix if we can just prevent the Lib-Commie-Socialist-leftwingers from ruining it. It's simple Econ 101.

As more children die from lead poisoning, their parents will tend to purchase toys from other retailers. The 'invisible hand' of the market will gradually direct retailers to stop buying toys from producers who use lead-based paints. Over the years, we will see fewer and fewer children dying or getting sick.

Mainly, what America really needs is a big tax cut to stimulate the economy so parents will be able to afford to buy more toys for their children every Christmas. That would put Christ back into Christmas, now, wouldn't it.

Vote Conservative.

PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HIS INEXPERIENCE AND LACK OF PREFESSIONAL DECISION MAKING IN DEALING WITH FOREIGN LEADERS! CLINTON IS RIGHT ON TARGET WITH HIM...WE CANT AFFORD TO LET HIM WING IT, OR USE HIS " GUT" FEELINGS, WE ALREADY HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO DOES THAT AND LOOK AT THE MESS...OBAMA SHOULD NOT EVEN BE CONSIDERED AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE...

Does anyone on this page have any clue what foriegn relations is even supposed to mean, has anyone traveled across the united states or maybe went to another country outside of the vacation resort or the church run function that took you there...Or whatever your parents or your trust fund payed for...Does anyone have any clue how the govnt works and what the presidents actual role is? People are talking about the international community, forgein policy and political experiance...You dont need a whole lot of political experiance to run this country...Imagine the idea of the reason this country is in such terrible shape economy and education wise is that the people you keep electing have no idea what so ever whats going on, not a clue...There rich, they hangout with rich people...They dont know what the help wanted section in any news paper looks like, they take money from people who are exploting all the people writing on this page and you sit around and make up excuses standing up for them...How can you make fun of Obama for saying what he's said, when the housing market is sending us into recession...I think theres some serious disinformation going on here, maybe the people with all the "experiance" are the people who are selling you out, maybe you shouldnt listen to what they say

China blasts Obama call for toy ban

And that why CHINIA WANT CLINTON AND PAYING HER MILLIONS TO REPRENST CHINIA WHISHES

its good to know if clinton wins CHINIA will have more influance on Washington DC then the American voters.

GO Corpates GO Chinia

opps I mean go Clinton

As usual, Obama has shown that he is miles ahead of the field in his foreign relations thinking. He was right on Iraq on calling it a dumb war from the start. He was right on Iran in criticizing the Kyl/Lieberman bill that could lead to World War III. He was right about letting Pakistan know that they cannot shield Bin Laden – since Bin Laden is the real issue. He is right to take a hard stand for our children. Obama is an extraordinarily brilliant leader. He was right in pointing out that his early upbringing in Indonesia contributes to his foreign policy acumen. Obama's multiculturalism is exactly what America desperately needs. Hillary is completely clueless, and just blows with the wind, flip-flopping with no deep insights like Obama. It's a shame that we have to wait until 2009 to get Obama as president.

I don't think this has anything to do with experiance because Joe Biden (the most experianced)supports the same idea.

I for one can not understand the mentality that is outraged by Obama's comments. Why in the world are we supporting the Chinese markets with buying their worthless product anyway? Get real here folks, this is not an inexperienced comment by Obama – but, more of one with a great deal of common sense. You Hillary backers are too much for me. You all are in La-La Land, just like the candidate that you back.

Obama 08

just for a little FYI about Clinton, with regards to cheap chinese products/walmart/past:

Clinton served on Wal-Mart’s board for six years. The board Hillary Clinton sat on was rabidly anti-union, was exploiting sweatshop labor around the world, discriminating against women workers, forcing workers to labor off the clock and destroying communities that did not want them.
This should not be a shock: Clinton was a partner in the Rose law firm, one of the most active anti-union law firms in the country.

So, the question still remains: what did Hillary Clinton do—or, not do—when she served on the board of Wal-Mart? Maybe, if her memory was refreshed, she could tell us how she protested the company’s relentless union-busting, expressed feminist outrage at the widespread discrimination against women and was horrified that the mushrooming wealth of the Wal-Mart family was made possible on the backs of slave labor around the world. or did she?

Well... since Biden said the same thing...I guess Biden is also dangerously inexperianced....

please.. I give it 1.5 days till Clinton issues the same kind of statement.
Everytime Obama says something, be it about Pakistan, negotiantions with Iran, ect. Clinton calls him naive and all the clintonistas get all up in arms about how ignorant he is... then a week later, after people figure out that beyond the dramatic sound bite.... he is right.. Clinton hops on board and agrees with it. However with Hillary, as she was on the board of wal mart, may not have a problem seeling our country to China (even if they do poison your dog).

Fact is there is nothing at all wrong with demanding that China meet certain standards and inspections for imports, other countries do and should do the same.

(and by the way... who cares about John Howard? His people booted him out)

Yep, Obie's gonna win over the world!

Another example of Obama's poor judgement. There are much better ways of handling this than whipping Americans up into a populist fury. Your campaign will suffer for this

This is why we need Joe Biden in office. He as the experience to do more than just make a quick but empty comeback. He would get Howard on the phone and say, "Um, are you talking to me? are you talking to ME? You must be talking to me because there ain't no other president in this room."
No, seriously, Biden has the experience and respect to not draw this kind of ire from world leaders. Especially given that his Iraq withdrawal plan leaves Iraq stable and has bipartisan support.

U.S. toy companies don't outsource manufacturing so they can make more in profits. This is ridiculous. Nobody in the toy industry is making money, believe me. U.S. toy companies - which are the companies bringing all these toys in, not Chinese companies in case you don't know how the industry works - outsource because Americans are too cheap to spend $50 on Candy Land. Every dime in savings goes to consumers through ridiculously low prices at Wal-Mart, Target and Toys R Us. These retailers, which dominate all toy sales in the U.S. are in a brutal price war. They won't even think of stocking an expensive American-made toy because YOU consumers are too cheap to buy them. Another myth: banning toys from China will improve safety. Again, ridiculous. There are over 200 nations in this world that toys could be made. Block them from China and they will come from somewhere else. What we need is an inspections program and regulations, regardless of where they are made. Otherwise, what will happen when a few U.S. factories manufacture unsafe toys, are you goign to stick to your logic and ban toys from the U.S.? See how dumb that approach is. Focus on fining companies, not banning entire nations. Last myth: banning toys from China will result in more jobs in America. Perhaps the dumbest myth of all. Toys will not be made in large numbers in the U.S. again for a hundred years, until there are incredibly sophisticated robots to do all the painstaking, detailed hand-work. Why? Until then, it will always be cheaper to make them in one of the other 200 countries and, as I said, American consumers are incredibly cheap.

I am an undecided voter, but this may sway my vote to Obama, and I am a Republican. Just the fact that the Chinese came out with a response to this shows that they are worried that the next President will actually consider the safety of the people of the United States, instead of just big business, and they will have to change the way they are doing business if they want to continue to do business with us. Speaking from the "bully pulpit" used to have a great effect on many things. I think he may be a genious, to get that strong of a reaction, and he hasn't even received one vote yet! We are still their largest customer, they need us to buy their products. Let's start using some intelligent thinking here and quit letting them get away with all they are doing to us. If they won't, then manufacturing jobs may well come back to this country. In the mean time, buy "Made in the USA" or from other countries that have high standards for their toy manufacturing, such as Denmark, Germany, Japan, and Canada.

The people here on the attack have a problem with Obama's skin color, plain and simple! It's sad to read their "reasoning", not because they're racists, but because they may not even know or be ready to admit they are. IT'S CALLED THERAPY!!!

I don't know why everyone is being so hard on Obama. It took Bush 43 a couple years in office before he started alienating our allies. Should Obama actually be elected (which I find unlikely) he's going to have a solid head start.

Does anyone else remember foreign officials taking aim at presidential primary candidates? I'd be eager to hear some examples…

Yes, Jim. Her name is Hillary. Hillary brought up this same subject last month and the chinese government criticized her as well. Yahoo it.

No, wait. Here is one: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071123/pl_afp/usvote2008chinaclinton

Surprising isn't it, Earl?

obama is right. we need to severely scrutinize the material content and have a security qualification process in place. ban them if need be.
china cannot tell us what to do. if they are angry its their problem. we gotta do what we gotta do.

Ban dangerouse toys? What a great ideal. American listen up. Obama want americans safety. What don't you understand? Can wait for Obama 08.

Didn't China ban US beef a while back because the quality was not 100 percent up to standard?

I'm shocked the chinese don't like a clinton opponent. Nationals from that donation donated heavily to whom in the 90's causing a large controversy?

But just think if we replaced that 85% of chinese toy's on our shelves with toy's from say Our southern neighbor instead.

Somehow I think it would help both us and them.

Likewise with rising oil costs I happen to know manufacturing some plastic products especially for distribution on the east coast is actually cheaper domesticaly now. Granted our railroad robber barons have a role in that but still it's good news.

Tewde,

Give me a break. China cannot import killer toys without Americans doing the importing. China makes the toys in a Chinese environment. American companies import them. We need to hold the importers responsible.

If Hillary had made that comment, the media would have attacked her viciously. John of Des Moines, Iowa, how absolutely right you are!!

What has become disturbing about Hillary's run for president, is the nastiness and vulgarity being demonstrated by men and the media towards her. Things that have not been said about any of the male candidates. I'm ashamed, but not at all surprised, by such disgusting behavior.

Anyone who can hang in there with 'the old boys network' gets my vote! GO HILLARY!

Hello people, who do you think we are borrowing the money from to fight Bush's war? We are getting it from China, about a million dollers a day. The US doesn't have that kind of money. Also you do not have to buy the toys from China, just Google for American made toys, there is all kinds of places. For the last 7 years we have had an inexperienced, not an insider, someone for change, in the oval office and now we have a BIG mess. Everyone was for Bush because he was for change, boy did he ever change things.

Wal-Mart started out as the store that sold only American-made goods till they were caught cheating. After that, Wal-Mart dedicated itself to communist China. Hillary sat on its board. I wonder what the connections were and are. She said she had to get off the board before the election.

Ron, TX. We need the President who can perform foreign relationship well and protecting our children both successfuly. Obama's judgement is for the State Senator's level, that's why people think Obama is naive and inexperienced for the President. I think he talks too much without action. Empty wagon cause a disturbance. He opened his big mouth upset every Country, what is he going to do as a isolated person? Hillary is the only person who is able to protect our Country and get back the respect from the world. Open your eyes and think.

This is another reason why Obama cant be president..he has no experience

Posted By Kevin,FL : December 21, 2007 3:54 pm

if allowing dangerous toys into the country from china is inexperience, pls give me obama as president any day, for the record the chinese are not ANYBODYS friend, they succesfully blocked the u.s.a from issuing stricter sanctions on iran, they would allow our ships a safe port during a storm a few weeks ago and on thankgiving day our navy ship was turned from beijing to japan, as the chinese refused them entry, even though a clearance had previously been issued, earlier this year they blasted one of our satelites from space orbit, wake up america China is not a friend! ill take a president strong enough to stand up for american ideals and principles, in oprahs words " we need barack obama"

Good for Obama! It is about time someone in Washington showed some consideration for the health and safety of the people for whom they supposedly represent instead of big corporate interest and lobbyists. Go Guy!!

If someone is dumping thrash in my backyard, i tell them stop right away; and not negotiate with them on when to or how to stop.

Thank you, Barack, for stating what I have been saying since the first stories about this lead came out. Why in the heck CAN'T we ban dangerous toys? We are so used to cheap, cheap, cheap, that we forget about quality and safety, and yes, that will cost more. If we weren't in debt to China for this war, we could ban them, but I don't see how we can now.
That said, I would LOVE to see toymaking return to the USA, wouldn't that mean JOBS here? Do we not need jobs? We sure do in Michigan.

Obama is right, and right to take a firm stand! These are not just defective products. These are products dangerous to American children. Obama has young kids as well and he doesn't want his children harmed by dangerous toys from China.

OBAMA in '08!

I never Sen. Obama has perform the good adjudgment at all. In fact, if he be selected as the president of USA, we could image how our country he is going to run, in my opinion, the result is more worst than current President.

Clinton is either busy crafting a bill on the same or waiting for the polls to make a stand. Obama and Edwards lead and she follows or copies.

And I thought all toys came from the North Pole. How disappointing!

No matter who you are supporting as the next President, you can not deny that China has been shipping inferior and dangerous products to the United States.

Because our political and corporate leaders continue to sell-out Americans for the Almighty Dollar, China has been allowed to continue poisoning us. Look how quickly President Bush backed down when the Chinese threaten to devalue the US dollar.

We need strong leadership in the White House. And sometimes that means not sugar-coating our concerns.

The whole trade issue with China is far more critical than the perceived "illegal alien" issue.

Um...the last time I checked this was America and the oath of office plainly states that President Obama will faithfully defend the constitution of the United States; not appease China if they are selling us products that will harm our children. If China doesn't like it, then let them elect a republican who will line his pockets with cash and let anything into the country. Obama-2008

wow, i love that obama is willing to take a stand against those greedy son of guns in communist china
way to go

however, i'm still voting for ron paul.
But if ron paul didn't exist i'd def vote for you.

China has been waging an economic war against the US for the last 10 years, and they are winning big time. It's time we have a president that will stand up to them instead of kissing-up to them like Bush does and Clinton did.

Obama stand up for America!

Sounds good, but fails to recognize that the majority of recalls of Chinese toys were due to design flaws created by the American toy companies. This solves nothing, but at best moves the production to another country with low cost labor and limited regulation and oversight by American companies.

I wouldn't mind if all toys were banned from China. I had to throw out a few of my son's favorite toys, and wonder about the rest of them because 99% of them are from China. But if they were banned – who would then make them and where, Obama??

obama is an idiot and you know it.
you don't say you stop all import,
you can just pass new law or enforce it better to make toys more safe.
he got big mouth just like bush and piss off everyone else.

Standing up to China is something that needs to happen more often. They need to be held accountable for their poor quality products and poor human rights. American companies are building their industrial base and American consumers are buying products they manufacture. We deserve a president who won't roll over and sell our economy to them to fund an indefinite, ill-advised war. Hopefully this isn't empty rhetoric to draw the soccer mom vote.

i sincerely hoped that obama's quote is incorrect. it shows lack of experience in politics, economics, sicial & other issues. we'll not be the biggest bully soon so we better learn to play nicely. what's the difference between bush's decision to invade iraq & obama's ban on chinese toy?

i love obamas comment, i dont think that the USA should trade with any communist country. communist will not use the money to better life for its people a communist only builds a bigger military. thank God some one has the courage to speak up. save us all from communsim, dont trade with them.

Why is he attacking China? Perhaps he should be attacking the American Companies that are taking jobs away from American Citizens so that the CEOs of these companies can fatten their packets. So if China is prevented from shipping toys to the US, will the Thomas the Tank Engine train be stamped with "Made in the USA". For some reason I don't think that will occur. American companies will simply find another country to exploit.

It's the Chinese Clinton donors coming to Hillary's aid once again through trashing Obama.

by: Earl, Ohio

Acutally, I'm really surprised that this comment got greenlit, seeing as its blatantly ignorant and offensive. Earl really thinks those nefarious Chinese donors are shaking hands with Clinton behind closed doors and promising to throw in a bash at Obama sometime? Does Earl also wear a tinfoil hat and live in a bunker with an unlimited supply of canned beans?

Some of these comments are bordering on being simply anti-Chinese (as a people), instead of anti-China (as a government). What a fine line, and people seem to enjoy crossing it.

I thought Democrats were going to make the rest of the world "love us again". Not so easy when what you say counts and matters. By the way I agree with him, shut them down and send a statement!

Inexperienced? Good for Obama, stand up for something and stick to it. It's about time somebody looks out for the American Consumer.

Who cares what the Chinese government thinks. They look at us as a revenue source nothing else. Until we demand that our government and the "CONSUMER" protection agency do its JOB, China will send us anything they can make a profit on. Someone needs to stand up for the AMERICAN people and demand that we only receive safe products if we do have to import them.

Let elect someone who will look out for the American people not the corporations who only look at their bottom lines in making decisions.

Look for a candidate who will look out for the wellfare of the AMERICAN people, not the corportations.

All these comments about how 'ignorant' or 'inexperienced' Obama is just shows how much people REALLY care about their CHILDREN.
Someone needs to protect the children of America, which often get left behind in all of our political issues,
I guess fighting 'terrorism' is much more important than the life of our kids, right?
Just for this,,,Obama has showed me he has courage and he will make a much better America. Hillary? No way. I'd rather have another four years of Bush! and that says ALOT!

BARACK OBAMA 2008!!!!!!!

Thank goodness that someone came out and told China to stop sending us there terrible "toys". I don't care how many companys who make these terrible products for our children are upset. GOOD. We are not buying anything that is made in China for Christmas this year....You can do the same, save our country, save someone's job here in America. Write to these companys and tell them your not going to buy their inferior products anymore. Don't buy seafood from China. Finally Barrack Obama said something we like...good for him.

Great Play, don't worry about the lead based paint exposed low income children. What ever is playing in Chicago???? This is not our next president.

Obama is missing the big picture. Lead tainted toys are an issue, however parents can spend a bit more time to find thier kids toys made in other countries by factories with respectable management. On the other hand, tainted food and pharma imports from China will kill us. Our politicians need to pass regulations that require product labels with the country of origin for all ingredients in processed food and drugs. This allows the buyer to beware! Our multinationals will hedge saying that it is too expensive...and then they will point the finger at China and our government's lack of product safety inspections when the products they marketed to us cause sickness and death. (Remember the wheat glutin that killed our pets). It's time for the candidates to put serious thought into our free trade policies and let us know how to fix the quality of imports and the loss of jobs – not off-the-cuff reactions to the latest category of products that were recalled.

Wow... Barack Obama... idiot.

I cannot imagine that someone would be so stupid as to consider a full ban of toy products from China... that's ridiculous. We CAN put a sticker on all Chinese toys that say they may be dangerous, we can tell Americans that Chinese toys are unsafe, that's fair and good, but to ban them, what's the point? We buy Chinese toys because we want to.... all we need is the correction information about them and the costs...

Other posters have made important points about the international fallout... and how we'd lose money from it anyways and how they'd just go to worse countries.

ISNT IT ABOUT TIME THAT SOMEONE SAYS WHAT THE KNOW IS RIGHT AND WILL DO IT.. HOW MANY CHILDREN NEED TO BE HURT BEFORE WE STOP THIS INDUSTRY IN CHINA.. WE HAVE A COUNTRY THAT IS VERY CAPABLE OF MAKING KIDS TOYS.. LETS REMEMBER WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT DOES NOT NEED OTHER COUNTRIES..IT IS THE CORPORATIONS THAT HAVE GOTTEN SO GREEDY AT THE COST OF PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND LIVES. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND I AGREE WITH OBAMA.. THIS MAN WILL FIX THIS MESS OF A COUNTRY

Once again, Sen. Obama is ahead of "Washington D.C. convential wisdom." Australian PM John Howard was recently voted out of office!!!

BARACK OBAMA on John Howard's comments (Feb. 07): "I would also note that we have close to 140,000 troops on the ground now, and my understanding is that Mr Howard has deployed 1,400.

So, if he's [up] to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest that he calls up another 20,000 Australians and sends them to Iraq."

If China is not willing to completely restructure how they do business with the United States of America, we need a leader who will stand up for the American people; not big business.

OBAMA '08!

This is opinion from a non-committed voter. While I never actually thought the OBama ticket was electable, I'm not at all surprised that among the first attack was a "Clintonian". After all, please remember it was 'Billary" who insisted that China be included as MFN trading status. Should we be surprised?

You raise a good point Barak!

Thank you Obama–finally some common sense. It is time we put our children first, and in the process, bring much needed jobs back to our country. Shelves full of toys made in america are long overdue.

HILLARY O8 GO FIGHT WIN
DO YA THING MY LADY ..
SHAKE THEM HATERS OFF YOU GOT OUR VOTE DONE IN THE DIRTY SOUTH ....

A REAL LADY OF WISDOM AN CLASS CANT WAIT TO VOTE THE FIRST WOMEN IN OFFICE AN DARN IT IM A REAL MAN ...

lead causes mental retardation
lead found in toys from china might as well be called another terrorist attack to get all american kids retarded
obama is right

While I think that banning all China toy imports would be impossible and economically crazy, I am glad that Obama was able to scare the Chinese enough to get a response. It's about time that they knew the whole toy issue is serious business, and this is perhaps a great opportunity to reduce our economic entanglement with the Chinese in one area while simultaneously boosting American products. It's worth further discussion, certainly.

May be Hussein should first go back back to his father land and run as the president of Kenya.

That may give him some experience

AND THEY SHOULD BLAST HIM!
HILLARY 4 PRESIDENT 08
GO FIGHT WIN ..

Too, too funny – the Chinese are mad at Obama for protecting American infants and children. They'd better be careful where and upon whom they expend their anger. Look what happened to Howard, he was drummed out of office by a landslide. The slope economy doesn't register against a threat to the health and wellbeing of American kids.

"Burning bridges with international allies BEFORE "

China an ally? Since when.... once again republican supporters show their foreign policy ignorance.

I was a large Obama supporter until this. Granted that his comments are said for the concern and interest of the American people, I really wonder if this is a political gimmick or he truly does not know how to handle international policy.

Mr. Obama knows that 80% of the toys in the U.S. are manufactured in China; if he knows his basic economics at all, such a drastic reduction in supply of toys could mean two things.

1. Dramatically higher prices for the consumer because the U.S. does not have the necessary capabilities to handle the surge of necessary supply to meet demand (not to mention labor cost).

2. We'll be seeing these exact same products made from somewhere else. Is pissing China off worth it to get toys made from India?

Hopefully he does not forget that they are not without leverage as well. They are holding and continue to acquire U.S. debt. Lets say they get angry and diversify their assets. We'll be left with higher prices and growing national debt. Brilliant idea Mr. Obama.

Hillary 08

To bad for him he should be worried about Chinas illegal dumping of steel but instead he is going to start playing on peoples fears of lead from China's toys. How pathetic!!!

A lot of posters here totally miss the point, the words of Obama is quite inciting. China is the BIGGEST holder of US TREASURY BONDS, WE OWE China close to a TRILLION DOLLARS.

China is the biggest US importer of wheat, corn, soybeans etc etc. What do you think will happen to our agriculture?

What do you think will happen IF China start ejecting US corporations out of their country or CLOSE their country for US GOODS?

What do you think will happen if big department stores start laying off their employees because they can't make profit anymore from the goods they're selling to their consumers?

A lot of you just plain talk, you're not looking at the big picture how it will impact the US economy.

Obama is showing once again his OWN LACK of EXPERIENCE. With our economy right now heading towards recession, Obama and his big mouth shoot it off like an idiot without thorougly analyzing our economic situation how much this country is HEAVILY in DEBT with China.

Words are CHEAP, SALIVA IS FREE. That's what Obama has been offering for his hopes and dreams.

Obama is not getting my vote, if he's the nominee for the Demoracratic Party, I'd vote Republican.

Obama better use what the Foreign Ministry spokesman of China said to send e-mails to his supporters for campaign contribution, CHINA IS ATTACKING HIM!

What a freaking nitwit! I'd take common sense anytime of the day over academians!

CNN, please print Obama's statements in their entirety. This article, and the Chinese response, misrepresent what he said. Please post this.

Public safety matters! Some people really are concerned about kissing butt over the truth. Sometimes the truth offends and that's okay.

It's obvious some people care about politics more than they care about children.

Its really interesting how China is taking Obamas words to heart. They even know he is going to be the next President of the United States. Go Obama!

This shows me that Senator Obama has what it takes to be a true leader. What is it with these people talking about his inexpereince?

What is it going to take to make the Chinese business men and government do the right thing?

The other candidates want to simply continue on with business as usual while the American public suffers the consequences. Maybe it's becasue the children playing with dangerous Chinese toys don't vote!

I say start with the toys and then move on from there. Once the Chinese see a reduction in trade with the U.S they will do the right thing to keep their economy growing. After all what international business man or woman is willing to turn their back on the U.S. market?

Yet another reason not to give your vote to the sophomoric, junior (empahasis on junior) senator from Illinois. Engaging with China takes an incredibly high level of sophistication, intelligence and finesse. Potshots like Obama's are unstrategic, rash, and not well thought out.

I've noticed that for virtually EVERY reasoned point that anybody makes against Obama, he has a glib 180% counterpoint.

Obama would obviously use the same tactics against any criticism of his policies if he was ever in power.

Not a man to elect; not now.

Monte Brown, you little devil you, why haven't you done your homework? I challenged you weeks ago to list why Hillary Clinton is the most experienced and you haven't taken me up on it. You know that only Edwards has less experience than Hillary. Come on now. Gte to work. I want a list of substantive bills Hillary has AUTHORED and passed as a U.S. senator. Quick. Should only take you a few minutes because she doesn't have much of a record. Don't flake on my challenge again Monte.

Good job, Obama! Hillary just made some noise about tainted Chinese toys and did nothing as she can’t really bite the hands that feed her.

It’s common sense. If the Chinese sold and is still selling us toxic toys, we should ban Chinese toys to protect our children from toxins such as lead. Lead can cause learning disability in children, who are the future of our country. Obama makes common sense, but he needs experts and legislatives to work out details.

Imports Licenses should be required of American importers, which include U.S. corporations that have plants overseas. If an importer breaks safety standards, ban their license for ‘at least one year’. This will give them incentives to install ‘Quality Control in their overseas plants’ and ‘Lot Acceptance Sampling in the U.S.’ Without any penalty, most corporations will simply maximize their profits at the costs of the consumers till they are caught. There should be mechanisms for preventing these violating companies from importing goods with a new company name within the ban period.

The outsourced corporations will still be making lots of money even with Six Sigma Quality Control as the Chinese workers are paid peanuts. If it does get too expensive to keep up with safety standards, it may be time to move your plants to a cheaper country or back to the U.S.

Toxic chemicals may come from the recyclable materials, which the Chinese container ships are loaded with on their way back from the U.S. China has no regulations on processing recyclable materials so the Chinese goods made of recyclable materials may contain toxic chemicals. We also lose scrap metal to China big time. During WWII, scrap metal was critical in making weapons. We could also use it for infrastructures such as bridges or fences. We are now buying Chinese made metal fences for the southern boarder.

Lobbyists for big corporations play a deadly role in the legislation for consumer safety. Many members of our Congress have connections with these lobbyists. Hillary calls them Good Americans and takes their big donations. Harry Reid’s sons are lobbyists with special connections. It seems that some members have one foot in the Congress, while sticking the other in a lobbying firm.

The First Amendment gave us freedom of speech. We need a new amendment for curtailing these lobbyists as our representatives from all parties need to be held accountable for violating conflicts of interest.

That’s why we need to elect someone we can trust. Once the candidate is voted in, she or he will do whatever she or he pleases. We will then become the same genius as Hillary is, tolerating our cheating representatives forever. We are setting a very bad example for our children when we stay silent.

This is a great example of Obama standing up for the American people and defending American national interests. Who do the Chinese think they are? They have no business commenting on our presidential election. It's high time they looked at themselves in the mirror and abandoned their undemocratic, militarist regime.

Nice of CNN to spend half the length of thr story digging up a anecdote from a foreign leader who got his butt kicked in his own reelection bid not too long ago. By the way, the best line Obama used on that Aussie was this, "well, sir, if you beleive so much in George Bush's war, then by all means send more troops than the 150 you've already sent." Of course the Clinton News Network wouldn't use that quote. Hey, does Vinod Gupta's latest Survey USA poll have Hillary up by more than 30? No? Well, what kind of best friend is he then?

Good for you, Obama. The more I hear your proposal, the better I like it. Yes, we have no problem trading with the Chinese, but if they take shortcuts that resulted in dangerous products on the market, we have to prevent its inflow. That's what a responsible leader would do, protect its people. They can trade with us, just make the products safe. It takes guts to stand up to them. Good for you.

The naivity stated on this blog is astounding. It shows that people take little note of what is really going on around them. China's products are killing our kids, MANY of our kids...not to mention our pets, etc. We are a country that puts no restrictions on what China is exporting to us. Until we make stricter guidelines, I agree completely with not buying toys from them. And unless you have been living under a rock, all of their toys were recently taken off of shelves as a result of how dangerous they are. Making a stand leads to making changes...that's the candidate for me. I am tired of status quo..do whatever makes companies the most money. Let's take ethical standards into consideration and our children, pets, even ourselves can know we won't be poisoned in the process.

GO OBAMA!!!!!

I think Obama is a great man personally, but does that mean he has earned the right to be President? Give it 10 to 20 years and he could be, not now. Not what our nation needs. Best of luck in the Primaries anyway Obama.
Posted By Christian, Chapel Hill, NC : December 21, 2007 7:36 pm
Christain, stop deluding yourself, it is not America that is not ready for Obama, it is you who has not got into your head that we need Obama. Who are you to decide that he tries in 10-20 years, are you God?

At the very least, Barak Obama should spend a full term or two in the Senate to gain some 'real world of politics' experience.

After all, George W Bush was/is an idealogue and you see where that got us.
Posted By Vic Las Vegas, Nevada : December 21, 2007 5:38 pm

edwards doesn't have more experience than obama. neither does hillary. hillary has longer in the senate, but barack has longer elected experience. obama has even been through more elections than hillary, he didn't even get elected his first time up as senator. he also has more elected experience than our current president, and has more elected experience than bill clinton had at the time he got elected president. how many more cliche lines can you come up with? on the job training? theres not a single candidate who will be able to go into the white house the first day and know exactly what to do. and don't tell me hillary being a first lady taught her how to be president, thats a crock of bs. the truth of the matter is, all the candidates, both dem and repub, have more than enough experience to run this country, or they likely wouldn't be running, and obama wouldn't have the following he has.

Good call Obama...throw the baby out with the bath water.
Great foreign policy...piss off the nation we owe the most money to by completely over-reacting.
A very small percentage of Chinese toys were bad and your answer is to wipe out the whole industry and throw us into a trade war with China???
I hope people see this for what it is...LACK OF EXPERIENCE...not to mention savy and ability to work out problems with a cool head.
You talk a good game...you just can't back it up...that's not the "Change" America needs.

I've a 4months old boy, at this age he needs certain toys to help with his mental, motor and social development but as a father who is well informed about the effect of lead not only on kids but on adults as well, i'll be killing my own son my buying him made in China toys.
The Chinese government and our president should be explaining to us why this is happening. Mr Obama thanks for having the courage to say what i'll do if giving the opportunity

Well, I'm no member of the Republican party, but I make toys and I'm stunned that this man doesn't understand the nuances of the Chinese toy situation.

The vast majority of the toys, nay the PRODUCTS coming into this country are made in China and a very few of them (types, not quantity) have been recalled. And they're toys, for crying out loud. How many American made cars have been recalled in the last few years, important pieces of machinery that carry precious cargo of loved ones, not some inconsequential piece of plastic entertainment?

Even before the Mattel crisis, I had to pay exorbitant testing fees to ensure that not only do my toys pass American safety standards, but the higher standards od the EU.

And as for "Made in the USA", I'd love nothing more than to make my stuff here. It's really a hassle to get things done in China. But, until I can find a factory where the unskilled laborer doesn't get paid more than the average college graduate due to the extortionary demands of the unions, or where young people don't look down their noses at the job, I'm going where they're happy to take my business for what the market demands.

And another thing: the Mattel crisis resulted in the suicide of the man whose job it was to oversee safety; the Chinese government came out and said it was "ashamed" of the situation. When was the last time an American corporation or government official showed a sense of shame? When are the predatory financing executives going to start hanging themselves?

As for Obama, I was leaning toward supporting him until this outrageous generalization left his lips and opened my eyes. Boy, I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate if anyone made a generalization about him and wrote him off for it.

I'm not surprised that many of the brainwashed commentors attribute this remark to " Inexperience ". The current " Experienced" politicans have gotten us to be so beholden to RED Chinese influence , money and poor quality.., that we are merely becoming a consumer nation with no means of production, and no control of our destiny. We need someone who will stand up to the power structure....to bring inegrity back to the USA.

I guess "Cowboy Diplomacy" is alive and well. The London Times has this great piece expressing concerns about Obama lack of foreign policy experience. Also, Joe Wilson just came out with a great argument against Obama's experience, or lack there of, too.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article3080794.ece

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/12/21/the-real-hillary-i-know-and-the-unreal-obama/

Go Obama !!! I'm sick and tired of seeing Made in China on everything. It's international companies taking advantage of the chinese people. I try to support Made in the USA products but it is getting harder to do. I also wonder if I am comprising my safety and my families safety by buying chinese products. People around the world are not laughing at us because of Obama. They are laughing at us because of Bush.

Good start for your foreign policies agenda Mr. Obama. Just to show people who worship you how inexperienced you are.

I like Obama and would vote for him over Hillary, but that was a really dumb thing to say. It makes me wonder if Obama is ignorant of the workings of the globalized economy or if he was just pandering to the anti-free trade sentiments of his base. Either way it doesn't reflect well on him.

Trade is a very important part of foreign policy; if you do not trade with someone, they have less reason not to become aggressive towards you when it suits their needs. Quality should be demanded, yes, but deciding to ban all products from a specific nation because of a few of their manufacturers that were already closed down is foolish, and could even be called racist.

I agree that our children are more important than apeasing China. But if Obama were sincere why hasn't he started some kind of effort now to ban toys from China? He's just making a pre-election promise he won't keep later just like all the candidates do at this stage of the race. This is just his desperate attempt to get more white votes. Do something now Obama and show us what you're made of! Don't talk the talk, walk the walk. Why didn't he try to do something about toys before Christmas? Because this is just another pre-election, soon-to-be-broken promise. Shame on you Obi! And a Merry Leadful Christmas to you too!

Obama is like Bush – shoot from the mouth.

Now, under Obama's regime, america may start a war with China, after Iraq.

Does that include puppets, like to one that currently occupies the White House?

Thank you Obama! Let's bring toy production back to America... then other items. We can't give away our futures! Stand Up! I am a Republican who will vote for you if you stand up!

Obama is an inexperienced man. To make a comment such as that? Sheer incompetance. For all of you who say yes ban chinese toys, then how would you be able to afford them? 90% of the toys on Walmarts shelves would go empty, then what toys would you "high moral" people buy? Stop and think for a moment. How bout you watch your kids more carefully and make sure that they aren't stuffing random stuff in their mouths. Making everything so dramatic, fools.

>>>OBAMA has once more shown leadership on a very tough issues. Which one is important? Tainted, poisonous toys from China or the health of American Children?>>>

I just picked the above comment at random from several that are saying the same thing, or similiar. But, are you who are posting these comments aware of the amount of money we have borrowed from China to fund the war? We are in absolutely NO position to try to get too bossy with them. They pretty well have us over a barrel, if they would decide to demand repayment of the money they have lent us. We need to use diplomacy, not threats, when we work with them. Hillary? we're counting on you. We need you. Hillary, '08!!!!!!!

He's officially lost his mind. The pandering sent him into overload.

Again, lack of experience – not a bad thing but he just can't be president of the US. Obama seems like a wonderful family man and even business man but I certainly will not vote for him just because he rounded up Oprah (whom I love) to do some talking for him. His wife has taken center stage for him and so has Hillary's husband Bill. Nothing wrong with that – but to try to get a celebrity to do your work – No way – I vote Hillary

Finally a real leader who can stand up to these terrible foreign corporations that are poisoning our kids for profit.

Obamma is obviously an isolationalist Hahaa, see how it feels to be falsely labeled this?

Vic wrote: "Attention Sean Hannity and Chris Matthews — the golden, walk-on-water-boy has been tested for the first time on his international relations — and failed miserably. First with Australia

Oh yeah, speaking of Howard of Australia... He just started to withdraw his paltry sum of troops today. Guess Mr Howard doesnt mean what he says about supporting the 'war on terror'. Guess his criticism of Obama is menaingless afterall. Ha!

If you all want to really make a change in America, do one thing – boycot WalMart and other companies that send our jobs overseas. They will change and they will eventually find companies here that are willing to manufacture. End of discussion. Quit complaining and act or there will be nothing for our children.

Obamma doesn't want kids to have toys?

Oh man, poor kids, i guess they can watch T.V.

It's not only china that has so many imports into the US. If you go to Wal-Mart and look at the labels on any of the clothing, you will never find any that say "Made in the USA" I have found labels from, so many other countries including, Lebanon, Israel, Mexico, Eithiopia, just to name a few.. It's sad to see that very little of our products in the stores are actually from this country..

I think Obama is a great man personally, but does that mean he has earned the right to be President? Give it 10 to 20 years and he could be, not now. Not what our nation needs. Best of luck in the Primaries anyway Obama.

I get it. We can't have toys from China cause their too cheap (any idea how many toys are made in China?). We can't drive cars because they pollute. We can't go to war to protect ourselves. We need more taxes to pay for more social programs. Boy, Obama as President doesn't sound like much fun...

Let's trust our communist friends to know what's right instead of a Senator from our own country. I don't often agree with Obama, but kudos to him on this one.

Good!!! Take a stand. They are knowingly sending us stuff that is dangerous.

It was irresponsible to say that. But I forgive the statements. I think it was taken out of context. The relationship with China is complex and to even think about unraveling it would be unrealistic. But the statement should make China take their exporting more seriously and crack down on companies in China to make safer products. It is very difficult for families to sue Chinese companies but the political pressure should bring on the outcome that we all want, which is safer toys for our children

When did China become an "international ally" of ours?

Besides shamelessly oppressing their own citizens to the breaking point, I think its safe to say they haven't exactly had our back in recent times.

Dont think you will find many people to agree with the Chinese perspective on this. You go, Barack!
If they dont want threats to their livlihood, then they should make safe products. Period.
MAybe the American companies who are shirking their quality oversight should be fined too......Or maybe we should have a Chinese 'Toy PArty' and dump their products in a waste heap and 'return to sender' with a heavy 'restocking' fee.
So tell me all you 'Outsourcing is good' proponents...how are you liking outsourcing now?
Doesn't it suck when they can get away with this overseas (precisely why companies do it)while buying up American companies and property at the same time?
Outsourcing our manufacturing to China is a cancer on America and its workers.
Think about that the next time you buy a 'MAde in China' labeled product. Because the money made on it ends up back in China, not here.

I agree with Obama...I'm a republican, but on the matter of public safety, we need to make the chinese pay for their irresponsible products, and lax regulations.

nothing personal in singling out Ellis at Brown Univ's post, but it's a perfect example of how Democrats are not focused on accomplishments but on vague promises for the future.

After reading your post I think how vague it is, and how vague Hillary and Obama are when discussing their own qualifications.

What has Obama specifically done that required decision-making in the area of foreign policy? What has Hillary accomplished that shows leadership in the same area? Please be specific.

(Didn't Obama decline the vote on Iran? This shows cowardice to me, and worse, manipulation – for he wants to remain a blank slate so that he won't lose support)

I'm not sure why my posts aren't making it, but I'll try again:

China has ZERO right to sell toys made with lead. Period. No discussion needed.
Only the heartless and the ignorant would put something as dangerous as lead into kids' toys in the first place.

Until they wise up, the hell with them. Obama is dead accurate.

Prime Minister Howard should shut his mouth and quit protecting his good buddy and criminal president Bush.

Iraq IS in chaos already. It's already destabilized. Its Constitution, allowed by President Worst. Ever., contains in itself the declaration that Islam, not the Constitution, is the ultimate authority in Iraq.

Despite what Bush, McCain, Howard and other right-wingers say, our children's health is FAR more important than worrying about whether China, a country that knows not civil rights, is miffed because we don't want poisonous toys in this country.

Great, so Obama wants to stop the war in Iraq and start one with China instead... real classy.

Hillary '08

ANSWER: Obama, Romney and Huckabee.

ALEX'S QUESTION: What makes three doofuses?

When Obama said he would meet with Iran, they quickly said he was naive and irresponsible. But now, it seems even Rudy agrees with it. That's called leadership. Obama never asked to ban Chinese toys, you need to consider the context and the framing of the question. Don't just come CNN to make unreasonable claims. Isn't this what Lou Dobbs is fighting for? Where are all of you when Dobbs conducts his daily viewers polls to complain?

You know whether or not Senator Obama actually met stopping all toy imports from China, he brings up a good point and brings to light a horrible situation going on in China. I for one would encourage a ban like this, not only would it save our children's health, but it would also create jobs for the U.S. We need more people like Senator Obama that will stand up and say what is right and not back down in the face of criticism.

That's it. Obama wins. How could he have imagined such a great battleground - outsourced jobs, poison, and child safety vs. –oops– there is no down side. Chinese officials should receive their own personalized thank you card from the Obamas this Christmas.

Once again, Sen. Obama is ahead of "Washington D.C. convential wisdom." Australian PM John Howard was recently voted out of office!!!

BARACK OBAMA on John Howard's comments (Feb. 07): "I would also note that we have close to 140,000 troops on the ground now, and my understanding is that Mr Howard has deployed 1,400.

So, if he's [up] to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest that he calls up another 20,000 Australians and sends them to Iraq."

Not sure why CNN is running this old news and trying to insult Sen. Obama's foreign policy skills.

OBAMA '08!

The only problem with Obama's statement is that he did not say 'let's stop ALL imports from communist China'

At the very least, Barak Obama should spend a full term or two in the Senate to gain some 'real world of politics' experience.

His experience is as an achedemic and state legislator. That's good but not good enough to qualify him as leader of the free world.

Take a look at Candolezza Rice's record of achievements and tell me about qualifications.
She has done NOTHING in terms of International diplomacy, NOTHING!

She had the credentials (so we were told), but no political experience. Look where that got us, either no diplomacy or very bad diplomacy, that's where.

This is a critical time in our history. It is not a time for on the job training.

Every one of the other Democratic candidates has more experience than Obama.

I don't want to gamble on this election then end up wishing I had voted for experience over idology.

After all, George W Bush was/is an idealogue and you see where that got us.

Other than lacking foreign relation experienec, Obama is simply intellectual lazy in banning ALL the Chinese toys import.

Another example of his intellectual laziness is when he said a few weeks ago that he deserved raising taxes. A smart politician would promise to lower the taxes of voters.

China is not entirely at fault; most american importers, and american manufacturers who offshored the former american manufacturing to china to get cheaper labour, lower taxes, lenient health/labor/environmenttal standards. The companies could have raised better quality product standard or better quality control. They could be help responsible.

USA is important over 80% of its toys from China, and obama wants to stop this importation? Just think of the impact to toy prices, to screaming babies and frustrating parents!

NObama 08!

Finally, a leader with some backbone. Now if only they would recognize the waste of time and money our role in the United Nations is, we might be able to really look out for America's interests.

hey that is obama's foreign experince. GUy can't even handle toy problem forget about dealing with iraq or iran

I am not an Obama supporter, but I must admit I certainly do agree with his take on China. China (with the help of Corporate America) is poisoning OUR CHILDREN in the name of the almighty dollar. Still, parents are out there buying these comtaminated toys...(UNBELIEVEABLE!)instead of boycotting these items. Parents..wake up..do not look to Corporate America, government, etc. to tell you a toy is being recalled...remember their bottom line is money. Your children can live without toys, but may die with toys...you choose!

Obama will be as bad as GW Bush on foreign relations if elected. Mark my words.

who cares what china thinks make the dam toys here again, create craftsman. build and invent lead and get offf our high horse where we have to buy everything. we work for our money lets build something with it

No doubt the US wants safer products from China but usually you have diplomacy not have an all out ban....Has China refused to talk about quality issues? Has China not acted everytime there was some sort of quality issue that came to light? You don't call a ban on anything or isolate any country unless diplomacy has broken down....Everything in your Office Obama has some sort of tie to being manufactured, assembled, or shipped from China.
This is the stink of Inexperience and a hint of what is to come if he is in office. Take note people.

Posted By Dan, NJ : December 21, 2007 3:14 pm

Why would you think that is a probability, Dan? Because it is just that, another sign of how inexperienced he really is?

This will help Obama. The Chinese aren't exactlly popular amongst Democratic voters right now.

Another example that Obama has no clue abnout what it really takes to do the job. He has already offended allies and enemies alike. we have had enough of that over the last seven years. I was hoping for Edwards/Obama in 208, but after seeing more and more of this, I am leaning toward Edwards and Clinton in either order.

Posted By Phil, Memphis, TN : December 21, 2007 3:07 pm

--------------------------–

Obama again showing his inexperience. As president he cannot make mistakes like that.

Posted By Aidyn, NY : December 21, 2007 3:13 pm

Yeah, how dare we look out for the welfare of our children ahead of the welfare of the Chinese toy-makers. Maybe we can just send the toys with lead paint on them to your house.

It's the Chinese Clinton donors coming to Hillary's aid once again through trashing Obama.

This is somehow surprising to people?

Box of (inexperienced) rocks.

OBAMA has once more shown leadership on a very tough issues. Which one is important? Tainted, poisonous toys from China or the health of American Children?

Uh...Obama was not the first one to be this harsh. Joe Biden has been saying the same thing for a while now.
Regardless of who said it first, they're both right. Until China can clean up its act, they should be shut off.

So now leaders from China and Australia can tell us who to vote for? It us bad enough that religious clergy dictate who to vote for. Amazing.!

Joe Biden said the same exact thing at a debate two months back. China's Most Favored Nation status should be REVOKED immediately: 1) they artificially peg the Yuan to the dollar. 2) Chinese tariffs and subsidies give their industries a HUGE, artificial advantage over American workers 3) Chinese workers have fewer rights than Americans, and can't always negotiate their contracts (exploitation). Chinese Labor Reform legislation to correct this problem was brought down earlier in 2007 by (you guessed it) American Corporate Lobbyists.

This is not free trade at all! It's like playing a football game, where China starts with 34 points on the board! who in their right mind would do that? America apparently...lets hope a Fair Trader like Obama gets elected in 08, rather than someone with their head in the sand. We CANNOT have "free trade" when the deck's been stacked against us.

I'm glad my Senator made the suggestions - we have got to stop kissing the rings of other nations' officials, quite frankly.

The Chinese Foreign Ministers comments should not be up for argument. There is no trade off for importing harmful toys or products to any country. Obama's comments can only be harsh to China if they have no intention of correcting their dangerous products and wish to continue doing business as usual.

He's not for stopping trade. He's for halting it until we can inspect THERE, just as Japan does in regards to food.

That's right Cat from Costa Mesa you should be OUTRAGED! How dare a elected public official put the safety and welfare of our children above the corrupt greed of the Chinese and their joint-venture partners. It's LUDICROUS to say the least!

Oh no – Barack Obama wants to protect children from potentially dangerous toys, toys that could severely injure or kill children. We can't have that...

I think that the recent spat of foreign criticizm is interesting given Hillary's recent call in the polls. I have a sneaking suspicion that Hillary is working her connections with foreign officials to draw criticism down on Obama from afar.
Does anyone else remember foreign officials taking aim at presidential primary candidates? I'd be eager to hear some examples...

funny, i've heard a lot of people say we should stop importing from china. i agree, we should stop importing from china and send them a real message, if they want out money, they have to adhere to OUR standards. i think they'd get the picture then.

Call me crazy but I think it's good thing that Obama has called out China!

No more toys from China! What's wrong with that?

And since when did China become our allie?

who cares what a former (conservative prime minister) head of state like John Howard thinks?

Go Obama 08!

A full quote of what Obama ACTUALLY said. Pay careful attention to the LACK of the word "ban". A proper and HONEST newstory would say that he called for importing AFTER INSPECTIONS, which is 100% correct. How on EARTH are we just allowing free reign of imports when so many contain lead and poisons? Expect the Clinton camp to oversimplify and downright distort what Obama said. Be an informed voter. Read below.

“I would stop the import of all toys from China. Now I have to say, that’s about 80 percent of toys that are being imported right now,” he said, but did not provide details on how such a ban would be carried out.
Mr. Obama said that the import of toys tainted with lead represented a “dereliction of duty on the part of the president and the administration.” He called for the United States to set up its own inspection system within China, similar to the one that Japan uses to screen food imports from the country.
“We don’t do that,” Mr. Obama said, and blamed the Bush administration for making what he said were significant budget and staff cuts at the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“We could set up a system that has a strong standard,” Mr. Obama said. “We have just a handful of people that are inspecting all the toys that are flooding in from China.”

I fail to understand why this is news. Joe Biden announced two months ago that he would stop the import of all toys from China. I am glad to see that Sen. Obama agrees with Joe on yet another issue.

I have an Autistic child, in the school that she goes to there are many autistic kids with varying degrees of Autism, as is the case in many parts of America. I believe Chinese toys (what they are made of) could be the elephant in the room that is causing Autism cases to skyrocket in the US. We no longer buy toys made in China for our kids.

I hope who ever the next president is will put enough pressure on China to clean up their act and stop poisoning our kids. If it is the threat of loosing the US market, so be it.

Yes let's not upset China. What's a few lead toys and human rights abuses among friends?

Come on, China with standards? They can't even keep their people safe from the crap they make, and yes, I wrote crap.

I'm sure Obama's supporters will start justifying his lack of experience and naive approach to foreign diplomacy as being tough and standing up for America. Well, we've had that sort of diplomacy in the White House for the last 8 years and look where it has gotten us. We need a president who is respected worldwide and who has what it takes to be able work with foreign leaders in achieving our goals. This rash, sweeping statement of Obama's shows just how limited he is in experience, and even common-sense, when it comes to dealing with other nations. His simplistic approach and lack of experience in foreign affairs would be a huge liability for the U.S. He is unseasoned and simply not ready to take on the role of president, especially at this critical time in our nation's history.

He was simply stating his willingness to do this. The statement should be read in its entirety. This seems to be a reasonable assessment. If something is unsafe, we should be willing to say that it cannot be imported until adequate steps have been made to correct the problem. What is wrong with that?

I still don't understand how people are buying into this idea that Hillary has enough experience. To me, both she and Obama are the least experienced people on the ticket and they pale in comparison to people like Joe Biden, John McCain or Ron Paul. Just because you were First Lady for eight years and a Senator for a term or two means nothing. Should Mrs. Bush run for Senator in Texas and then be qualified for President? C'mon, people...

"What matters more? Appeasing China, or protecting OUR children?

Posted By Ron, TX : December 21, 2007 3:20 pm "

Well Ron, what actually matters is ensuring that the US imports high quality safe products while maintaining good relations with the other "superpowers" of the world. What we should be doing here is promoting safe manufacturing procedures in all nations we buy from and helping them improve their manufacturing infrastructure.

I can see both sides. We're bolstering the economy of China by getting all our crap– err– goods from there, but all it's getting us is more money to spend on cheap stuff. Yet, we have to keep an open mind about working within the global marketplace. I just wish I could get this image out of my mind that China is taking advantage of us. . .

I've heard Biden say this many times in previous debates. "We need to STOP all imports of Chinese toys until they can be considered safe." Is Biden inexperienced?

I actually don't think we should stop all toy imports from China, but I think calling Obama inexperienced for saying so is ridiculous.

Charge the American company $1,000.00 per item found to be tainted. The American companies will start to test the products before they leave China on the boat. This method doesn't cost the American taxpayer one cent!!!

To Ron from TX.

Hands down it is protect our KIDS. But lets not get irrational about it. Lets be sensible & reasonable – and put right standards and random inspections in place. Chinese companies will bend over backwards to accomodate US business. If US businesses end up being lax, the Chinese manufacturers will end up lax times lax.

Get real – every elected official while justifying for the trade agreements is batting for MORE for LESS to the American consumer. I have not seen a single guy come out and say RIGHT for RIGHT amount.

Senator Obama's comments about Pakistan, ME & these remarks are evident he needs more time.

I've been waiting for someone to chide China over this...basically all of the politicians, except for Obama, have been afraid of accusing China over wrongdoing simply because they're our "ally" (I find it ironic that the US, the largest democracy in the world, would be such close allies with a totalinistic (sic), human-rights-ignoring, communist nation such as China)

I agree 100% with an earlier comment by Ron from Texas...Lord only knows how long China has been sending products laced with paint and drugs and other horrible things to the US...when I was younger, half of my toys were made in China...it makes me wonder how many of those toys had lead in them.

Attention Sean Hannity and Chris Matthews - the golden, walk-on-water-boy has been tested for the first time on his international relations - and failed miserably. First with Australia, and now with China. Sounds like he's a direct descendant of the GWB administration in dealing with foreign governments. It's hard to believe this is the "change" he promises to bring to Washington.

Ummm...“unobjective, unreasonable and unfair,” ...would Quin Gang be talking about the thousands of pets who died or the hundreds of children poisoned? I personally made a point to NOT purchase anything made in China for my kids this year. I don't care if its a 1% error. Children still died. There is no excuse for making toys(!) that have poisons in them (lead, GHP, etc).

This is exactly the type of stand U.S needs to take against dangerous Chinese exports. You can't export poisonous products to another country and China needs to know that U.S will not tolerate this. In response to Chinese Forign spokesman comment: “Imagine if the quality of American products was not 100 percent up to standard. Could we take that as a reason to totally ban U.S. products?”
1) Obama is not saying he is going to ban all Chinese products and 2) yes if a U.S. product is poisoning your people you should stop it's import to your country. I am personally very impressed with Obama's judgement on all fronts.

Wasn't Howard booted out of office by his people for his stance on Iraq?

If you Clinton supporters are more concerned about China than the safety of American children, maybe you should move to China.

and before you knotheads try to defuse my point by attacking my spelling ..... EXCUSE THE TYPO'S

Why not blast Bush!

So we posion our kids with lead and dodge the fact?

All of you people jumping on Obama and say that this shows his inexperience are actually showing how dumb you are. This is the safty of children we are talking about. Toy products coming from China are know to contain dioxins, lead, and various other dangerous chemicals. children have already been seriously harmed by these products.

The Japanese imposed a total ban on our beef a few years back based upon less and here you all are declaring Obama is inexperienced and has now idea how things are done in matters such as these.

Well I tell you what, If it mean some child will have to suffer for some BS political game then I don't want business as usual. I want our children to be safe on christmas morning. All politicians should be screaming for the same action Obama is advocating and those of you making such comments against him need to have you heads examined!!!

Oh, more...Look at all these ninnies playing into the hands of - the anti-Obamas, and Clinton. Obama is absolutely correct about this, what great judgment, what great leadership. These toys should be banned, at least until they get their act together and stop making toys with lead! I can't understand how they've been allowed to get here with this killer stuff anyhow.

Gee, why is the Chinese Foreign Minister taking the time out to blast Obama on this issue when so many others have already said these toys should be banned. What bullies! Why don't you pick on somebody your own size - like Hillary Clinton!

This is another reason why Obama cant be president..he has no experience

Wow, people are oversimplifying Obama's comments and turning it into an inexperience charge. I'm not surprised. Obama can't even scenarioize or mention a hypothetical without everyone jumping down his throat. And since when did we care what the Chinese government or what John Howard says? The Chinese government EXECUTED the head of their FDA for this issue and they call Obama unreasonable? And now we're saying the Chinese government is the logical one here? And John Howard? John Howard is politically irrelevant now, just like Bush. People amaze me.

There is a difference between 100% quality and lead poisoning...not to mention the roofies.

Stop buying Chinese products or be the next "tradegy" on the news.

Another example that Obama has no clue abnout what it really takes to do the job. He has already offended allies and enemies alike. we have had enough of that over the last seven years. I was hoping for Edwards/Obama in 208, but after seeing more and more of this, I am leaning toward Edwards and Clinton in either order.

Posted By Phil, Memphis, TN : December 21, 2007 3:07 pm

the truth hurts, wake up if america bans toys from china dont you think that would creat more jobs back home? by the way how many recalls have we had so far?poison any one?yeah just because the chinese dont like it ,it donts mean he is inexperience.

Just one more reason for me to support Obama!

Exactly! Obama’s already messing up big time. Egomaniac Obama doesn’t know what he’s doing. Is he going to try to razzle dazzle the Foreign Minister of China with one of his hip speeches? Is he serious? Iowa, New Hampshire, go with Hillary. She wouldn’t put her foot in her mouth like Obama does.

Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate, the most experienced candidate and she’s READY TO LEAD ON DAY ONE.

It is unrealistic to think that we can ban import of all toys from China. Obama's comments show how inexperienced and unrealistic he is. If HRC had said the same thing, entire media would have attacked her viciously.

Maybe Obama should call for a halt to the manufacture of cars since we've had a few recalls.Or how about we stop producing meat since we've had some recalls this year of beef products?

This shows the man is too naive to be president

Criticized by China AND John Howard? Must be doing something right! He wants a couple hundred thousand US soldiers there but how many Australian troops was he willing to offer to stave off 'chaos'? Ah, the majestic call of the rare and precious Australian chicken hawk...

Cat. What makes China one of our allies? Is it thier lack of consideration for health and safety standards? I mean heck, its not their kids, RIGHT! Is it because their freedom of speech, media, or internet? NO. Is it how they allow their currency to float against the dollar making their exports cheeper, and our exports more expensive?

Get you head out of the clouds. All the Chineese want or care for us is an open market for their shoddy exports. The American worker has suffered because of their policy's. Our economy has suffered.

Maybe they'll consider using more fair economic policy's if we choose to limit their ability to import cheep and DANGEROUS products!

Beloni,
Give me a break. Dont give us this foreign policy experience BS, in fact China needs to be banned from exporting toys to the US if there is no strict regulation on monitoring especially done by the Chinese govt. It is there responsibility to do that, until it is banned they will not see the seriousness of this issue. So yes, I agree with Obama and no matter how unpopular what he says may be, it shows how much guts he has, unlike many people on this blog, cmon, give us a break

The only reason to overcomplicate matters is to allow more wiggle room for dishonesty. If Obama said he'd stop imports from any and all of our unfair trade partners,,, He'll get my vote! The only thing besides guns America exports is our jobs! Thanks a lot you overpaid politicians!

This is what America needs. Someone who will step up and not be afraid to speak out against big players such as Chinese manufactures. Obama has made a bold statement in protecting the future of America; the children, which seems to be a dramatic difference and change from others running for the presidency.

If China is not willing to completely restructure how they do business with the United States of America, we need a leader who will stand up for the American people; not big business.

I hardly see how this is inexperience. It looks to me like the man is actually committed to NOT letting money and power sway him over consumer safety.

A blanket ban on toys from China could destroy the U.S. toy industry (remember, about 75% of all toy sales dollars go to U.S. companies even if they are "manufactured" in China - we invent, design, write, illustrate, market, distribute and sell them here - all high-paid jobs, unlike manufacturing). Banning toys from China will NOT fix any problem and will create many more. It's like doing surgery with a sledge-hammer. Mostly, it will force toy manufacturers to move manufacturing to LESS SOPHISTICATED/SAFE countries like Malaysia or Vietnam or wherever else they can be made cheap enough for the discount stores that control retail sales of toys, and cheap enough for American consumers. Obama's policy is the international trade version of “Whac-A-Mole”. His "solution" does NOT match his thoughtful, reasonable see-both-sides-and-find-a-real-solution message he professes elsewhere, like in his book.

Obama is already a Clown among international community, and I wonder how he's going to repair US image that has been destroyed by Bush policies. This is exactly why this guy never going to be president. His comments regarding Howard is very undiplomatic and childish. Not to forget his threats against Pakistan president as well. Just go away Obama without spoiling democrats' chances in 2008.

Hurry for Obama, I agree with him a hundred percent and I would have already banned them.
Not only that I would bring charges against them through the WTO for dumping fake goods into the USA. Also if they would not let any of our products into their country, I would ban at least one of theirs.
It would be free trade or no trade. I am tired of the multi-national corporations sending our jobs to China and we get nothing in return. If they would not let the free flow of goods from the USA into China, then I would not let the free flow of goods into the USA from China.

Oh yeah, rattling the cage is just what we need. It worked so well with the Axis of Evil.

If someone doesn't take a stand against dangerous imports from, ANYWHERE...who will? If either Phil or Aidynn had children, and they were hurt or killed from a dangerous product, their tunes might change.

We're not talikng about a small mistake, or a one time event. Its a complete lack of reguard for western health and safety standards. Toothpaste w/ antifreeze in it isn't acceptable anywhere. Pet food that kills our animals? Aqua dots that metabolise to GHB? 1.5 million "Thomas The Tank Engine" toys alone. That just names a FEW INCIDENTS THIS YEAR ALONE.

I think, to the contrary. It takes a strong leader to make a stand for the American people, children, as well as our pets. He's making a stand aginst free wheeling big business, and importers that can't adhere to health and safety standards.

It's about time that a candidate for the presidency has the courage to state the obvious. Chinese made toys are a clear and present danger. How many more million toys need to be recalled before we do put a stop to these insidious imports. Republicans, and especially the Bush administration, always put commerce first and the health and well being of our children way down the list of priorities. Thank you Mr. Obama, for speaking out in no uncertain terms.

Jeff, Maui, HI: December 21, 2007

inexperienced for taking a stand for our children???

You people are crazy lets continue to let the Chinese government run our country with cheap labor and continue to pay for our debt. We need to become independent again and start looking at products that say MADE IN THE U.S.A. not Made in China!

Is that what you people want?

Well isn't about time someone stood up and stopped the flood of dangerous toys and imports from China. This is the safety and security of the American people we are talking about. Until China puts standards and practices in place that protect people in America, we should not import toys from China, and I am glad that Obama is standing up for the safety of the American people.

I'm an Edwards supporter and I wished he had the chutzpah to say it first. It's about time somebody rattle their cage.

anyone can tell that "We should stop all toy imports from China" is an oversimplification of what Obama said, he didn't actually say just that. He was most likely outlining a list of different possible solutions and scenarios.

If Obama may have spent less tiem in Washington than Hillary, but I prefer his foreign policy judgement (re: Iraq, Iran) to Hillary's any day.

Obama '08

That last little quip is quite arrogant and irresponsible! Just proves, this man has no foreign affairs experience, has no clue how to deal with difficult situations, and is not fit to run the country. Burning bridges with international allies BEFORE you even get in office? Mark that one down as STUPID!!

What matters more? Appeasing China, or protecting OUR children?

And of course there was also that little flap with Pakistan about unauthorized bombing this past summer which, according to Pakistani officials, led to a brief period of unrest and Marshall law. Of all people, no less than Bush himself appeared statesmanlike in quelling the concerns of Pakistani officials during that incident.

Oh yeah. Big pile of foreign policy judgement in this candidate alright.

Hillary's right to point out the foreign policy, inexperience thing.

I hear Hillary is coming out with a new bill tomorrow..

I can just hear the HRC staffers preparing an "Obama is inexperienced" attack out of this.

Obama again showing his inexperience. As president he cannot make mistakes like that.

Another example that Obama has no clue abnout what it really takes to do the job. He has already offended allies and enemies alike. we have had enough of that over the last seven years. I was hoping for Edwards/Obama in 208, but after seeing more and more of this, I am leaning toward Edwards and Clinton in either order.