All started with bill clintons and hillary support it….thats why bill got big bucks from colombia…..CHINA becoming super power now…THANKS TO BILL CLINTONS

Jobs in Pa. and NJ are being outsourced to other countries and there's plenty of resentment. For those remaining, there is the fear that it's just a matter of time before their positions go too! After all, they can hire 4 people at the same pay for every one U.S. job! There's nothing to do about it as it seems to be the wave of the future for corporations. I can tell you that in Pa. and NJ, many will vote for Obama SIMPLY because of his stance against corporate practices!

McCain's overarching economic policy continues to make itself blindingly obvious: deregulate everything until we've regressed all the way back to turn-of-the-19th-century, pre-progressive robber baron style capitalism.

That way he and his Keating Five buddies can walk around with their canes and their fur felt top hats, basking in the choking exhaust of unchecked industry while orphans and street urchins mill about and play stickball and such.

You may laugh, but in all honesty his vision for our economy seems frighteningly reminiscent of the Charles Dickens era, and he and all his big business cronies get to play the part of Scrooge.

I have worked for a Labor Union for 28 years. NAFTA & CAFTA are cuss words to union folks. Big mistake for McSame!

Also if you would actually take the time to look at the facts, NAFTA has helped our country over all. Not just big business, but everyday people like you and me. It's easy to blame all your troubles on one policy, but it's smarter to look at the facts and see what is working. I look at it this way, if you think things are bad now; just imagine if we shut ourselves off from the world. We will lose more than we gain.

Hasn't McCain already admitted that he doesn't know much about the economy? How does the saying go? "It's the economy, stupid." This seems more appropriate now than ever vis a vis McBush.

How can America willingly elect a president who admittedly knows nothing about the number one issue on our minds and in our pocket books?

As a new young voter this is the difference I see between the two candidates and parties. McCain seems to care more about the world. He supports free trade, he doesn't want to pull out of Iraq, he's more of an internationalist in almost every policy. Obama is willing to pull us out of Iraq to help ourself but at the expense of Iraq and the middle east and he wants to limit free trade which MIGHT help some Americans but hurts the world. So why both men are running for President of the United States, we have learned over time we can't seal ourself off from the world. It is our duty to help raise the wealth and freedom of all people on earth. The democrats just seem selfish to me. Their policies only take care of ourselves and let the rest of the world to fend for themselves.

Tony,

Thank you! I could not have said it better myself.

McCain '08

Corporate America won't be happy until the USA becomes like Mexico, and even then they'll complain that they pay us too much.

McCain like Bush can care LESS what experts OR the Majority thinks. He wants to be the next DECIDER

Now Suddenly you will see McCain for against foreign trade and then everyone around him applaud him for evolving his idea. I don't know how he is called straight talk express, he the most convoluted talk express I have seen.

In the name of "free trade" and NAFTA millions of well paying American jobs were "outsourced", and manufacturing is no longer a major employer in this country. The only ones who gained by this "free trade" / NAFTA are the ones who profit by being able import the goods needed and export the raw materals. The once proud American worker is now working, at less real income, in a "service economy" where we are in effect flipping burgers for one another. How many people do you know who actually makes a real product anymore. Not fix something, or sell something, Actually MAKES something…

Character or integrity are not 2 words I would use in the same sentence with McCain. Maybe you aren't familiar with his feelings on marriage??

OBAMA/BIDEN'08

Well said Tony! BO is lacking in many areas. I may not vote for McCain but I guarantee I WON'T vote BO.

Here's a candidate who has a vision, and will do what he thinks is right, no matter what thepolls say. Free trade is the way to go, and this ultimately leads to the best interest of the United States. Can you imagine what would happen if the rest of the world placed barriers or imposed tarriffs on the sale of American goods abroad? It is hypocritical that Americans want open access to world markets for its goods, and at the same time, it subsidizes agricultural goods like corn, and it wants to curtail free trade when it involves open access of foreign goods to U.S. markets.

Perhaps if Senator McCain had anything else going for him, other than his POW experiences, this would not continue to be the focus on any conversation from him or his opponents. His resume is limited, and began and ended with him being a POW, that is until he sold himself out and gave President Bush that big ol' hug back in 2004. Now he's a former Vietnam POW, with a warped perspective on that war and the current Iraq war, and a spitting image of Bush. I am surprised that the Republicans, who although I disagree with politically at nearly every juncture, settled for him so early on. And I do mean settled.

Funny how the poll say this is the first time that over 50% were against free trade.

Does anybody remember CNN reporting that 'Obaba faced big challenges, because the majority of the people were FOR free trade?'

Nahhh….CNN wouldn't be cherry picking and twisting facts to support their favorite, Obama, now would they?

McCain, get with the program. Or…rather don't…and let Obama win by a landslide.

Much ado about nothing. Still within the margin of error and therefore could really be 48%.

Bottom line Free Trade is not the problem. Not getting "Fair" trade combined with the Free Trade is where this country gets it wrong and that is what needs to STOP Now. If others are not going to deal in Fair Trade then we should not trade with them at all.

If we elect Old Man Mac, this country will have no right to cry over high food prices, gas prices and unemployment.

Obama 08′ and 12′

"Free trade" is defined by voodoo economists as trade controlled by large corporations. The "free" part means that those corporations are "free" from regulation, "free" from criminal prosecution, "free" to cook the books, "free" to backdate stock options, "free" to fix prices, "free" to overbill, "free" to sell toxic toys, "free" to patent common knowledge, etc. In The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith imagined a blacksmith who was working in his own self interest to increase his income. He did this by delivering a better product at a better price. Of course, he was just a peasant with a hammer and a forge, not an economist. He was naive; that is to say, he did not understand market forces.

Now, global corporations employ thousands of PhD economists and social scientists to help them distort market forces with deceptive advertising, "secret" ingredients, invisible product features like enhanced social status, etc. Corporations also use bribes, vacations to exotic locations, and friendly lovely women to get no-bid contracts, favored treatment, relief from the danger of prosecution, and secret laws (earmarks). Conspiracies abound. As Adam Smith wrote, "People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices. "

Clark spoke the truth!

When I was in the service I spent the night in a Tijuana Jail; does that entitle me to executive office?

Getting shot down does not make you a hero. Just means you failed your mission. Sorry but truth hurts.

(JimBlanco July 1st, 2008 12:32 pm ET

51% of CNN's communist viewers can't be wrong… until we are all paying 60% taxes to Obama's social programs for the irretrievably lazy!)

So, if we don't agree with the free-trade on an uneven field; We must be communist….. The way I see it, your party and President has done more for the growth on communist China, then the Chinese government themselves. I am surprised that the Chinese have not put a statue of "Bush" next to Mao.

the first time in a CNN poll that a majority of respondents report holding negative views on free trade……….Mr McCain…..the economy is the No. 1 issue in this campaign out of 15 issues tested in the poll. McCAIN says THE most precious commodity he has with the American people is that they trust him."WE do not TRUST YOU .you're making IT impossible to TRUST YOU .You are building yor campaign on WAR FEAR and TRADE ……Slow Down, SIR…..trade IS a threat to the economy……..CNN…..POLL the people who have lost their jobs because of free trade

We have to promote our ideals and values in other countries as well as our own. If we don't believe in polluting our environment or forcing children to work in order to make our products, we should not sanction those practices in other countries that allow them.

"Free trade" treaties is a way for our government to circumvent the very values encoded in its laws. As long as our government answers to big business more than to the American citizens, it will look for loopholes like NAFTA to allow it to ignore the will of the people.

whats up? Obama wants free trade to . so why say its only MCCain

After Obama somehow rolls back the clock on free trade, maybe he can also go back to a flat earth which is at the center of the universe. It's not easy to establish an economy that is full of high paying jobs and fed by cheap imports from overseas.

My sister's job at Chase/BankOne went to India. They brought people to Arlington, TX to train. So much for FREE trade.

I guess when you have a brand new 737 airplance to fly around in you aren't too worried about the little guy. Is that the wife's plane?

Stop giving away the farm. There might be oil under it.

just another fine example of how sen. mccain & the republican party is completely out of touch with the american people. america wants change, not a continuation of bush ineptitude.

Why is it that CNN.com only allows blogs on certain stories, i.e. stories that only make the GOP look bad.
Why don't they let their left-wing secular fundamentalists fans see what really makes people nervous, like having a potential president whose middle name is "Hussein" and won't wear a flag lapel pin, and whose wife who just recently found pride in her country, etc. etc…

Obama is toast. You lefty Neanderthals have overreached again.
I know this won't be published, either.

YES, WE McCAN!!!!

Another good option is a boycott of cheaply produced foriegn goods. Or at the least consumers need to voice thier opinions about cheap foriegn products and the effect they have on the American worker. The "green" intiative in corporate America is a result of marketing. Corporations see being green as beneficial to thier image and therefore profits. Americans need to make it know that we want American products and we can begin a free market approach to solving the outsourcing problem. So next time you fill out a comment card, or warrenty, etc note that you are disapointed that this product is not made in America. Change starts from the bottom and goes up.

That sucking sound we all hear……………McSame selling jobs to Mexico and Columbia, more of the same from the last 8 years.

When Bill Clinton proposed taxes on the top economic tier of our population, Republicans claimed it would ruin our economy!
Guess what… they were WRONG!
Our economy grew like never before… growth that helped all economic tiers of our population.
Stock market grew from about 3,500 to what is about now… growth for the our top economic tier grew more than ever before (Rich Republicans benefited more with Clinton than with any other president… so did the other tiers).

It amazes me how some still listen to Republican's FEAR tactics… when they have screwed almost everything they have touched (economy, education, energy, global warming, the environment, crime, and yes… even on the REAL war on terrorism… that war in the far place we call Afghanistan!).

Now as for John McCain… here is a guy that won support for being a Maverick. Now, like off shore oil drilling… he has changed his position only to appease his right-winged consituants… what a sell out. And yes… John is WRONG on his economic policies… he has turned himself into another BUSH!

Ah, the hypocrisy of American trade… when it comes to Europe we continue to accuse them of violating free trade. But we wouldn't ever open our markets to their companies. When it comes to China we do have free trade. Hence the record trade deficits because they make everything cheaper and henece the American consumer gobbles up their products. But we still complain.
I guess the only thing consistent is American self-interest: we want other countries to open up their markets to our companies in an unrestricted way, but in turn we don't want to open up our market to their companies without protectionist restrictions. And we also discriminate against some countries while let others walk all over us.
We really need to start being more consistent…

The arguement over free trade is skirting the issue. There is no agreement that is going to bring manufactoring jobs back to the U.S. unless BOTH corporate bottom line and workers salaries and benefits take a huge hit. There is no way we can compete with manufactorering plants in Asia and central America where cost of living is low and corporate taxes are low. The answer is developing new industry in this country that cannot be outsourced, i.e. alternative energy, stem cell technology, etc. The technology for these is here, the next step is corporate investment so that this technology can be manufactored and an industry can be created. We need a 21st century industrial revolution.

Is there anything he is for that the majority of America is not against?

He is the proverbial out of touch old man who just can't grasp that people today want something different than they did in HIS day.

Don't worry. Whatever Obama says today will be changed in a week or so, depending on what the polls say. He will be telling us how great Bush was in about a month. Say anything. Do anything. Just to get elected. Watch out Oprah. There is room under the bus for you too. Just a matter of time. The man is a liar.

Another nail in McWar's coffin

To Karen in Phoenix:

I suggest that one really considers Obama's "proposals" before one suggests that they are good for the country. I would ask that one considers the practical aspects of implementation, costs of implemention, trade-offs necessary and do a simple cost/benefit analysis before making such a broad statement as you did.

If you consider the costs of what Obama wants, "if only half of what he proposes gets done" then the US will not be in financial difficulty as we are today. We will simply be bankrupt.

In the "Rust Belt" states, first take a look at your state's taxing levels for industry. Are you sure that's not the reason your former industry has left/is leaving your area? Or maybe the unions in your area are so anti-management that there is no reasonable way for industry to work in your area?

the "SHAME ON YOU" is getting really old. what are these people, like 5 years old?

the dollar will continue to sink. Then, in comes the Amero. May not be a bad deal . And it may be a horrific deal.

LISA,
would $20-30 savings in gas in the summer better than a real solution to curb the gas dependency and hence stop the spiralling hike ?
This is a typical politics where politicians have swindled the country by populist schemes rather than the pragmatic ones .

OH, OH, Mcsame…better get ready to flip flop again….like the tax breaks, oil drilling and so many other issues!

Bush is hung around your neck and no matter what you same he will remain there.

Wondering how you paid for your plane and how the $20,000 it costs every time you fuel up is being paid for…ask Cindy for more money!!!!

When will the president,congress and the senate get it right ,it not FREE TRADE when you can only send 10% or less of what you make or product to other country like China,Colombia,Japan. Mexico and Korea. Where is the FREE TRADE? Sen Obama and Sen McCain need to CHANGE this alone with congress and senate help

Wow. You could change that title of this article to:

"In challenge to McCain: Most Americans Are Ignorant".

Yeah and many working Americans also have issues with McSame's stance on immigration, so rots of ruck to all you dead PUMAs out there…

I'm sure most polled don't know jack about trade in the first place. Do your own poll and ask some people on the street……you will find a lot of clueless idiots that you can thank the union controlled Democrat education system for.

Obama is a puppet for the comminist left.

here comes a "flip-flop" because it didnt poll well.

McCain: Free Trade Guru

Money for the Rich…none for the poor

Free Trade is nothing more than an excuse for corporations to outsource American jobs. Ross Perot was right on the mark when he spoke of that "giant sucking sound" you will hear when all of the American jobs are "off-shored" to places like India (IT jobs) and Mexico (manufacturing jobs). I'm so tired of hearing the endless corporate CEO rhetoric about how the Global Economy is SO good for us!

I'd rather pay an extra $10 week or whatever the cost is for groceries and consumer goods to KEEP JOBS in the USA, rather than so called "free trade".

Corporations and the lobbies only care about profit margins and care less about American workers. Plus many of these U.S. corporations exploit slave-like or child labor which otherwise would be illegal in the U.S.

"Revamping" Free Trade?

You mean like…, UnFree Trade? And we'll be on the winning side of that one….rigggght!?

Has Obama made up his mind yet whether he is for or against NAFTA? I'm not sure myself, because I remember him debating Hillary and saying something to the effect that "I have not been ambivalent regarding NAFTA". Then last week or so he "took a step back" from his position, I love twisting the English language, Obama seems to do it so well.

My last job got sent to Mexico. It was a tough break. I got another job.

I'm voting for McCain because I don't want to live in France.

Of great sadness to me is the fact that my own cousin is building a factory in China…….

We need to offer more incentives for businesses to remain here and we need to do it soon. Yes, we are a global society, but if our businesses are built on the backs of cheap foreign labor that does not hold to the environmental, health, worker standards mandated by our own country, no U.S. business should be allowed to profit from this.

We need better accountability and I, for one, do not trust John McCain to enact the standards required not to abuse indigenous peoples, ensure safe products for our citizens and keep jobs here in America whenever possible.

As bad as we feel about the Democratic party, we have to admit that the Republicans have been a complete failure. This presidency has been the worse in American history. No one is foolish enough to vote for a Republican who embraces the biggest failure/lie of his predecessor. No way will I take any chance of sneaking this looser into office to insure our continued slide to third world status.

People trade because they have different taste and different abilities. The potential for gains from trade is determined by all of our abilities together. This gives people a comparative advantage, which is the ability to perfrom a given task at a lower cost. Everyone in society can be made better off if each specializes in the area where he is most efficient, and then trades for the goods he wants to have.

Learn to compete folks.

What about OBAMA! Didn't he just flip-flop on NAFTA!!??

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

It would be a betrayal of whose trust? Columbia's, Mexico's, Canada's???? What about Americans??? We have entrusted to you the leadership of this country as a US Senator and free trade, as it stands, has proven to be a betrayal of THAT trust. So the question becomes, which relationship is most worth preserving? It is amazing how "out of touch" McCain is with the common American; and moreover, how Obama is often considered the "elitist" by comparison to McCain (e.g., the Westly Clark fire-storm).

Mind your focus people because there are those who have discounted your intellect and aim to navigate your decisions and conclusions via your emotions on issues of little to no significance.

No more free trade of anything. FAIR TRADE might be acceptable. OTHERWISE, CLOSE THE BORDER AND LET'S MAKE EVERYTHING WE NEED WITHIN OUR BORDERS. No more cheap chinnese, indian, etc. crap.

Free trade is the best thing we can do for this world! Yes, Americans may get hurt, but the world as a whole will be SOO much better off. All those people who want to solve poverty and such in 3rd world countries should be all for free trade! Free trade will bring the average living condition of the world WAY up. Unfortunately for Americans, we are already way above average, so we might take a hit. But honestly, are we so selfish that we don't want to share our wealth?

John McCain is simply plotting how to ship the jobs from that factory over to China/Mexico/Canada/Columbia if/when he is elected. The complete 'cold' stare in his eye's is the telling factor.

Companies are going overseas because they want CHEAP LABOR, it has very little to do with taxes. That's a lame GOP argument that doesn't fit with reality, I can't believe some of you bought it.

Yeah, look where free trade has gotten us so far. Automobile manufacturing has moved to Mexico. We import a large percentage of our consumer products from China. Steel? From Japan. And so on and so forth. What do all these countries buy from us? Not much.
We have an enormous balance of trade deficit. We need to level the playing field by making the products from other countries cost just as much as those produced here. Remove the incentive. Put Americans back to work in good-paying production and manufacturing jobs instead of low-paying service jobs.

Hey Tony,

Like we said when we were kids, "they started it!" If the republicans would not smearing, the democrats, supporters of Senator Obama would stop smearing. Fire with fire! After what swiftboaters and the republicans did to John Kerry in 2004, didn't you expect the democrats and supporters of the democratic candidate to come out swinging this time? Why do you think Senator Obama made the comment in his speech yesterday that he will not stand idly by while people attack his patriotism. Come on man.

He tried to take the high ground but the republicans and John McCain keep going low ball. He denounced Wesley Clarks comments yesterday trying to continue to stay on the moral high ground. But, when it is time to play baseball, he, his campaign and its supporters are going to bring out the BIG BATS and start swatting like the Babe!

Sweetie and others,
You seem to be the ones lacking common sense. I'd like anyone here to tell me how free trade (ie, no tariffs) benefits a country who has higher opertating costs due to a higher value for a good life — paying its workers who then fuel consumer spending and protecting our environment which benefits all of us (rich or poor). We are going to continue to get steamrolled in the future by India, China and other Latin American countries if we don't rethink these agreements. At the least, free trade agreements need some sort of mechanism to minimize the impact of differentials in wages and environmental costs. That way, we could create an incentive for the other nations to improve their standards and make the field more equal, while benefitting both sides.

No holds barred free trade with partners with radically different conditions simply is moronic (unless you're the rich dog on top who moved his/her company overseas). I don't expect Junior High students to get it, but adults should. Free trade has had a direct impact on destruction of our manufacturing sector, explosion of our trade deficit, and calls to rollback our own quality of life standards.

Of course early on studies showed a benefit, that was an intial boom to certain areas due to lower consumer prices, but now that a core sector of our economy has been gutted, watch what happens with the future. The long-run won't bode well. Good blue collar jobs provide a key element to consumer spending. We can't all be white collar managers in America, that doesn't even make sense. We need a diverse economy for a country whose people have diverse interests. BTW, white collar jobs can be outsourced too. That's going to be the next big phase. Plenty of smart engineers and so forth in other parts of the world…

Clinton, no, wait, McCain Supporter…

Is it free trade or poor strategy? What is GM's product mix vs Toyota's product mix? I would argue management is GM's problem not free trade. Toyota is leading in innovation and efficiency.

I guess the government can manage GM too.

As long as there are subsidies and tariffs of any kind, we won't have free trade, just more sad attempts by the government to engineer the marketplace. Neither of these candidates has the guts to step up and support truly free trade, where the government doesn't meddle in the affairs of private citizens engaging in cross border commerce.

Tony,

Just because McCain was a POW for five years does not qualify him to be the President of the U.S.

About the "Character" issue.

Cheating on your crippled wife numerous times after coming home from Viet Nam and then dumping her to the curb to marry a younger woman who is worth millions say's alot about McCain's "character" doesn't it?

Debbie… even this economic down turn… what is the unemployement? The Obama sheep are as bad as the W Bush Sheep.

Lead in toys, salmonella tomatoes, tainted pet food are examples of why I am against free trade. I am for FAIR TRADE. Foreign should have to come up with environmental standards, food safety standards, consumer product standards and worker rights similar to the U.S. If is not fair trade when other countries have such low standards and their inferior, cheap products are allowed to come into the U.S. We have a hugh trade deficits because other countries do not allow the U.S. the same access to their markets as they do the U.S. Market. Therefore, either the other countries of the world open up their markets or we should start closing down our markets until they open their markets. Also, Country of Origin labels should be on all products as well. I personally would rather pay a little more for American made products because of our higher standards in the U.S. Trade is GOOD as long as it is FAIR TRADE

You know… not that long ago China took us to task for our domestic economic failings. The official statement could be summed up by stating, 'Hold the people who are responsible for this collapse responsible. If you do not desire to or are unable to, get help.' It's a sad day when China is telling us to shape up… and are right about it…

one of many things he will see challenges in this election

To Phil in FLA:
Told ya the clown has his own agenda and it certainly isn't in the interests of the citizens of the U.S. More outsourcing to follow.
He does not have a clue as to needs of the citizens here.

Free trade might work IF and only IF we export more than we import.

I find it really amazing that Americans do not rally together and insist that manufacturing returns to America. It will create jobs, stimulate the economy, and we have higher standards of quality than China. We insist on supporting a Communist country that produces tainted pet food, tainted food for human consumption, dangerous toys, etc. The sad part is that it is American companies that are outsourcing their manufacturing over yonder, and we keep buying their cheap plastic crap.

Refuse to buy anything that says "MADE IN CHINA" whenever possible.

Phil… how can "free trade" have modifications to change with the times? Obama is a protectionist.

To JimBlanco…"51% of CNN's communist viewers can't be wrong… until we are all paying 60% taxes to Obama's social programs for the irretrievably lazy!"

I guess you would rather pay your taxes to keep the oil wars going to keep the wealthy in money to buy more vacation home and jet planes, because that is what we are doing now. I say bring on the social programs for the people in our country, education, health care. With the bush wars ,we and our children will be paying for years to come.

McBush = not a freakin clue.

We're trying to get thru TODAY and TOMORROW and mccain keeps wanting to tout his pity party POW crap from 45 years ago.

He lived - he got a lot of money for it.

Move into the present and future.

Why do people vote republican? I just don't get it. The only thing they have brought us this century was war poverty and division.
I know country bumbkins vote republican because they believe what they say.
I know the rich vote republican because they want to be richer and let's face it, they don't like poor people.
I know a lot of white people vote republican because they're old and afraid of anything that breaks convention and they want to keep the black man down.
Other than those reasons, if you vote republican yer a sucker!

I wonder if Joe Liberman is the one that is going to launches the new terror attack. Please stop scaring people for political reason. America, it is not true no terror attack in 2009. If there is one Joe Lieberman and the Republican Party is behind it.

There is a lot of people that know nothing about economics in this forum. NAFTA isn't free trade. Free Trade is when a group decides on a price. Free trade happens between cities, states, and countries. Furthermore, eliminating free trade will increase prices of goods.

Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II sold American's down the river. Corporation executives won. They have received wind-fall profits for years. Executives walk away with millions in bonuses while the average American worker's salary and benefits have eroded beyond belief. McCain is not the answer. Clinton was not the answer. Obama will have his hands full trying to affect change of a 30 year policy. Washington DC was taken over by the corporations years ago. If you do not agreed, just consider the number of lobbyists that have moved into the Beltway…..and what retired politicians become.

Americans are not against FREE trade, but that’s not what we have in this country. Big Pharmacia has written our drug laws to increase and protect their profit, the financial industry and Wall Street insiders have written the regulations for bankruptcy and commodities trading to make it easier to rape the vast majority of the population. Energy companies are allowed a ridiculous amount of influence in the energy policies of the government. Our international trade policies were written to curry the favor of foreign countries so they will be our “friends” instead of making sure that we are on a level playing field with our foreign competitors. Corporations have been given tax incentives that actually encourage them to move jobs overseas. Not to mention the corporations that have incorporated to a PO box in the Caribbean to avoid taxes, but they of course still want to do business in the US.
We can’t have FREE trade until we fix the inequities that the fools in Washington have turned a blind eye to or helped to create.

just who do you people think you are going to get oil and other resources from if you try to ruin free trade agreement? this is not only about the US, but several other powerful countries. You had all better wake up and smell your starbucks lattes before you do not have access to that rich, delicious cup of coffee! Do Dems realize how naive you sound? Winning an election is one thing. Raising the ire of your biggest trading partners is a huge mistake!! you can take that to the bank. Like bananas? tough!

Don't cloud the issue with facts. Who cares what McCain stands for, Obama backers are a cult! Therefore, I'm voting McCain!!! Never mind that I'm an unemployed blue collar worker who has lost his job to free trade. Obama is a muslim and his real name is Barry. He has big ears and his feet stink. NOBAMA, McCain all the way so that you Dems can get what you deserve. And don't tell me that I'm only hurting myself…I'm too retarded to even notice.

I'm not commenting on McCain anymore…..nothing but political woof.

Free trade with countries that have labor and environmental standards that we do are fine. That would be free trade with Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan and South Korea. There may also be some other countries like Brazil, Chile, Israel, South Africa for which our trade deals are similar.

Having "free trade" with countries that pollute freely and exploit workers causes far more damage to the planet and to most of the people that are involved compared to the financial benefit reaped by the few.

I trust Barack Obama to apply his wisdom to sticky trade issues than I do McSame.

Free traade IS a threat to the American economy and the American worker. SInce Bush took office, more than 2,000,000 jobs have been moved offshore and more are going every day. It's time to reverse this. Tree trade is just a euphamism for getting richer by screwing Americans and exploiting cheap foreign workers. Businessmen and investors will deny this, but they are simply liars.

Poor, poor NAFTA…….ohhh well, they shouldv'e seen this coming…

Problem is, many see 'Free Trade' as something Republicans support, when really, it is pushed more by democrats as being fair to poor countries and helping them flourish, then they point the finger at corporations and blame them for being greedy.

If Obama modifies any 'Free Trade' agreement, it will be in favor of other countries, and not the U.S.A.

He already thinks we all have too much.

'Clinton, no, wait, McCain Supporter 'what's your point?!?! That's because of the price of gas and the fact that we learned NOTHING since the Arab Oil Crisis of the 70s — nothing to do with Free Trade. No administrations have held the darn car manufacturers accountable for better mileage standards and we got lazy. So too bad for Ford and those that are crying now because of the price of gas. Stop buying thos big junkers if you're feeling the pinch of gas prices!

This is tough one. I feel bad for McCain. On one hand, our people are suffering so much that pacts like these seem so hurtful. ON the other hand, you can't ignore the fact that the world is operating in a more 'global economy' environment than ever before that these pacts are necessary to stay afloat. It is indeed a tough situation and a hard sell, either way.

I imagine the people(who are used to being overpaid for the job they perform)would be scared of global competition in manufacturing.The simple truth is,this country can no longer afford companies to pay unskilled laborers $25.00 an hour to mount one piece with screws or rivets onto a manufactured part.We have finally gotten to the point where overblown pay scales will no longer be acceptable in manufacturing of any kind.Unions are no longer necessary and are straining the U.S. employers with pay scales that aren't in line with the rest of the world.Grow up America,step into the 21st century where the job difficulty or expertise needed is how pay scales will be based from now on,in other words, get training or education in order to make more of a paycheck,unskilled and uneducated people will life hard very soon.

Listen–
Why don't we stop engaging in smear–
Most of you who support Obama support change and hope–( I quess we will get those definitions eventually ) but if you truly support his "NEW POLITICS " then why do you continous engage in smearing John McCain who endured more than all of you in a POW Camp and if nothing else—Certainly has more than enough character to get many votes–
THis is where Clark and most of you don't get it !!!
It's all about character—
THis is the true reason why Obama does not want to confront that issue—He can't compare in that arena–NO FOreign or Int'l Experience–
Whether you vote McCain or Obama let's respect the strengths and let the weaknesses show on both –make our decision and move on–

Like John McCain cares what we want anyway.

No McCain we've lost enough jobs thanks to you and the Republicans!!! McCain=Bush!!!

Free trade for the U.S.A. would be fine IF it accomplished what it was intended to do. It seems that over the past decade or so more and more U.S. corporations have moved their production overseas, leaving only the dislocation of U.S. workers behind as it is difficult for those lower skilled individuals to retrain themselves and to try to find employment in other industries. This is especially true now that the industries that they could possibly have gotten into have themselves moved their operations out of this country and have left their workers permanently unemployed. (Note: The numbers of the unemployed that are no longer receiving unemployment benefits are never quoted in the governments unemployment figures).

The corporations are looking out for their best interests, our Government is looking out to those who have the deepest pockets and the American people are the ones to suffer the most.

The scales are definitely tipped against us.

It is a shame that John Mccain finds it necessary to grovel in the mud with people in politics that have NOTHING in it but an attempt to get elected for self and their egos. I spent 22 yrs in the Navy with Many Mccains ,jones etc. why should someone who has earned the honor and glory jump in the Crap with folks who cannot prove themselves any other way. I can't and will not vote for any Republican ever as they have proven over the years that americas youth mean nothing to a war mongering cowardly right wing. John you are one of those and you do not needit or deserve it but you are asking for this garbage so take it like you did as a pow and say or do something honorable that re flects you and not a group who are throwing you under the bus and hope to try again in 2012. GO HOME YOU HAVE EARNED IT{and WHILE STILL HONORED.

If you want to impact Free Trade then vote with your dollars - stop buying cheap Made in China junk at K-Mart and buy American or European quality goods. The problem here is that we have a whole country of cheap folks that want to buy $10 coffee makers at Wal-Mart.

Vote with your dollars folks!

East Coast Bum July 1st, 2008 12:28 pm ET

"Once again John Mcbush is on the wrong side. I am an Obama sheep(supporter) and we all know free trade is killing our country."

This is why I don't like Obama….do you know how sheep behave? they blindly follow in line with what the sheep in front of them do. If you put something on the ground that sheep would have to jump over and then put the sheep in a line….they would jump over it and even when you removed the thing they needed to jump over…the ones behind follow what the ones did in front and continue to jump even when there is nothing there! Please don't be blind like sheep. Personally I don't like either candidate but Mccain is the lesser of the two evils.

Free trade is supposed to foster economic cooperation between member countries — yes, that's true. It's supposed to level off the playing field. Perhaps? But to support it when your economy is in shambles?

All this time Americans have been given the short end of the stick. We've been losing jobs, forced to make do with what we have. We're already in the hole and any FT agreement will only cause us to dig that hole deeper.

Until FT can provide economic benefits to the Americans, we shouldn't even go there.

Now, for him to sing "Bomb Iran" on YouTube - that takes the cake. No more Republicans in the White House.

Neither candidate has to power to change the mentality of corporations, GREED. There are too many who don't care, dont know, or both. We're all guilty of being greedy, but the key is to be committed and have some loyalty to our nation. Reward the companies who stay here, create jobs, educate their employees and help this countries economy as a whole. Punish the ones who left or sell the majority of their product overseas, because in essence they sold us all out for profit.

Phil, FL

I think Obama says whatever will serve his interests at that particularly point in time. Obama is constantly changing his positions from day to day in order to pander to whatever audience he is addressing. The only "Change" in his campaign is his free-ride to attack his detractors as racists when they point out his inconsistencies.

It is very simple for McCain. When he talks to a crowd that doesn't like free trade, he will just tell them he "doesn't like it either". If it is a pro free trade crowd, he will tell them he is for it. He does this all the time, without even blinking. Like when he took credit the other day for education for vets in the new GI Bill, when in fact, he voted against it. That is why he is called, " Weather Vane McCain"… He will tell you anything you want to hear.

McCain the maverick is not afraid to make tough choices even if it means not getting elected! He has the best interest of the country in heart and is a very courageous man. Obama on the other hand will do what the polls say just to get elected. Obama only thinks of himself and his party.

McCain, by his own words admits he knows very little about the economy. It is not his strong point. Do we really want him as our president, because folks war isn't everything.

Ask the thousands of workers who have lost their jobs about free trade! Instead of traveling to countries about free trade he should be telling workers about how he plans to create new jobs!

McCain is an idiot a clone of Bush and just a plain old man. No more old people in the white house. There should be a federal law that nobody can run this country being over a certain age regardless of position or political party. I am 60 and could not do it effectively although I think I could do a better job than some of those people that are in there now or have been in there. At least I have a memory and practice common sense. AT LEAST I PRACTICE AMERICANS FIRST TO HOOT WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD. We need young minds and I am a republican but consider myself a democrat as the last republican that I voted for was Nixon and that was disasterious. When Regan was in the white house he was half dead and he wasn't even 72 now the republicans have McCain a person who cannot use a computer, cannot talk without a script in front of him, cannot talk on a podium in front of him. Half the time when he talk he looks dumb founded (probably is). All he can talk about is some darn war in Vietnam which is 33 years ago. COME ON GET A LIFE. He has a wife that does not like living in Washington and unfortunately had a stroke so does not talk much (hardly ever). But I guess if you have a 6 million dollar a year income that she has why would she care? She dresses like a _______ "(i cannot write that but you can fill in the blank) I guess if McCain gets the election he will live in the White House and she will live in Arizona. TALK ABOUT BEING DISFUNCTIONAL THROUGH A WALKER, A WHEEL CHAIR, A PORT-A-POTTY, AND SOME CRUTCHES AND WE WILL HAVE IT MADE. Jim Kansas City Missouri Obama 2008

Another thing CLinton and Obama have in similar and not with McCain. McHillary stop slapping your candidate in the face and shield yourslef form NEOCONS -

Def.
Neoconservatism - the practice of acting like a democrat and spewing hate so other bitter dems will turn into neocons and so hardcore dems will lose hope.

This is one issue he won't flip-flop on — because his corporate handlers and lobbyist advisors won't let him.

So long, Maverick…my friend.

What this election will boil down to is who is liked the most. neither can or will be able to do all they say they will. Lets face it, it's all just talk, aimed at the ignorant who don't know any better, which makes up the majority of the voting public. If you really want a good example of what happens to someone like obama when they get in office simply refer to Africa, the Africans wanted the blacks to rule, now look at the state of affairs.

Being against free trade shows how ignorant the majority of Americans are these days. Then again with Democrats constantly making business the enemy maybe it isn't completely their fault.

McCain should realize by now that Americans need jobs too, and our economy is hurting. Oh, wait I forgot McCain said, "I am not an expert on the economy" McCain knows war, and traveling to foreign countries. As a presidential hopeful he should probably spend his time trying to figure out what is best for this country, America, and how to put us back to work.

Free trade has to be two ways. Right now, it's one way. We outsource manufacturing to cheap labor countries and we import the stuff back to sell to our foolish consumers. If they were really buying our stuff, then it would be free trade. Do we make any stuff anymore?

Keep this in mind:

Slightly higher taxes are not guaranteed to occur if Obama gets elected. And higher taxes are preferable, in my opinion, are far preferable to not having a job at all because your job got outsourced to a worker on the other side of the world getting paid a tenth what you would make.

So, possibly higher taxes in income brackets above yours, or no job for you? Which would you pick?

Obama 08.

HOW COULD ANY SANE PERSON VOTE FOR McCAIN. GEORGE BUSH HAS DESTROYED AMERICA AND JOHN McCAIN WILL GIVE US MORE OF THE SAME. IF YOU WANT CHANGE IN WASHINGATON, THEN VOTE FOR OBAMA.

Obama now supports NAFTA after beating up Hillary about it during the primaries. So how is this different?

Anyone who's taken a basic economics course can tell you that trade has the potential to benifit both people involved in the trade. The problem with free trade is that increasing our ability to consume as a nation doesn't always filter down to every level of social strata. Much like how trickle-down economics was indeed "Voodoo economics" as Bush Sr. pointed out, its not always benificial to expand the economy, especially when that expansion doesn't move down to the majority of society.

Free-trade isn't all that free either. Its pretty hard to preach the value of international free-trade when the govornment supports anti-free market practices here at home, such as our tax dollars going to farm subsidies that in turn increase the ammount of money that consumers spend on food. There's many more ways to protect your markets other than tarrifs.

One of these days I would love to see the candidates actually discussing the issues in depth instead of just the sound bytes and blanket statements like "Free trade helps us" or "free trade hurts us."

I think the general mindset of the American people lately is that the average person is kinda sick and tired of the US always looking at others countries backyards while our own backyard could really use some work.

I think people are starting to realize that US involvement in EVERY world issue is starting to grow on American's nerve.

Free trade is just one of those things that is starting to catch flak, espicially since its been pretty well documented that the trade agreements are not to the US advantage.

Free trade equals lower prices for consumer goods. Unfortunately, free trade also equals fewer manufacturing jobs at home and the need to re-train blue collar workers for new professions. We just need to find the right balance. Unfortunately I don't think both candidates have a solution to this problem.

Obama is not for free trade. He's for revamping NAFTA! Big difference. We do need international trade BUT not like it has been under Bush/Cheney!!!! Read Obama's website!!! It's great and will tell you everything about trade, energy, education, health care. If only half of this stuff gets done, we are a much, much better country!!!

I'm not against free trade, but I think it needs to be structured in such a way to protect American workers & consumers.

In other words, I agree with OBAMA!

Has anyone gotten around to discussing the negatives of John McCain's Vietnam experience regarding his foreign policy position, especially regarding the Iraq war? I recall reading an article in a recent Sunday New York Times discussing McCain's report to the military after his release from captivity. He plainly states that he believed the Vietnam War failed largely because the military and the administrations at the time did not properly convey its importance to the rest of the country.

It occurred to me that John McCain suffered permanent disability and harm in a war that the country effectively "chose" to "lose" and that he may see Iraq as a way to compensate for that loss. Or, at least, he may be determined not to allow the US to repeat the mistake of Vietnam - giving up before the job is "done." However, such a narrow focus inevitably leads to tunnel vision. I think McCain is so focused on Iraq and "winning" there that he's to a degree ignoring other aspects of US foreign policy - including completing the defeat of the Taliban and Al Quaeda in Afghanistan.

obama wants to renegotiate free trade deals,to make them more fair for america.mccain wants to keep making deals that send our jobs to other countries.

Obama is on the record supporting free trade as well, but somehow this poll only "hurts" McCain? Give me a break.

And for those of you concerned about "outsourcing" - check the data during the last Democratic administration - the graph goes straight up….

We have to stop all the perks and tax breaks we have given
corporations for locating overseas. The government has
made it very desirable for them to move their businesses
out of the country,.
And, our government should not be allowed to farm out
work to foreign countries. We need jobs here in the U.S
and are very capable to doing the work that they are
giving to India etc.

Obama is a master at telling people exactly what they want to hear.
Does that make him a good president?I think not!

There are so many ways that foreign investment and free trade continue to take away good U.S. jobs - whether the jobs are exported or whether the non U.S. holding companies decide to use non-U.S. workers for jobs in the U.S.; add that to profits from foreign holding investments leaving the U.S. and we are getting hit many ways. Free trade is not free and what about the concept for Fair Trade - shouldn't the scales of fairness and justice be balanced for both sides of the deal? I wish Congress, presidents, and the current candidates would understand that American Citizens are very angry about this and we are not for sale!

Two dollars an day for new hire mexican auto workers,a level playing field?

Your a bunch of sorry —— poeple.
You print only what you want and no Canadian opposite view

Its time you relized that your not the only ones hurt with NAFTA and stop buying out canadain firms , stripping them down and sending them to Mexico to build the pockets of the right wing conservatives who don't care about enyone but thier pockets and bottom line

Compared to what? If people oppose free trade then, by definition, they favor more protectionism.

Sorry, because many people believe in protectionist fantasies doesn't make it so. The last time this country gave up on free trade and put up trade barriers, the descent into the Great Depression was greatly accerlerated.

"All free trade has done for us is shift U.S Companies to move their industries to foreign soil for the tax breaks,"

That statement is simply baloney. Had we had high trade barriers, the person who wrote that comment might not have been able to afford the computer he or she is using.

JUST SAY NO TO THE FALSE PROMISE OF PROTECTIONISM!

and since when are TOWN HALLS held at private businesses? doesnt that kinda defeat the whole purpose of a TOWN HALL MEETING with the regular folks????

anyone who thinks mccain is for the people is seriously deluded and gullible!

let alone in a business that is being investigated for unfair labor practices…oh wait, okay, now i see why mccain is doing it there. it makes perfect sense that Mr. Free Trade would hold his "town hall" jokes at Worth.

mccain and his straight talk express are both FRAUDS!!!! the guy's a disaster, he's a flip-flopping LIAR!!!!!!!!!

So now millions of American consumers are supposed to purchase inferior products from inferior American manufacturers. And that's supposed to HELP our economy???

You think china and India care about what we think about free trade. they are growing so fast and will soon be supplying the world with cheap goods and services. So why would a company want to keep staff in the states, or buy expensive US goods, when it can all be done cheaper abroad.

You nee free trade in this day and age to keep the markets flowing freely and in America's favour.

NAFTA, CAFTA, and all the rest, has done nothing but exploit the third world for the global corporation's off shore revenues, and destroyed American manufacturing and industry. Go to a local community college, every program is criminal justice or homeland security. If you don't like arresting poor people, or building missiles, you better get ready for the New World Order.

Buh-bye McCain

Today Ford Motor Company announced its sales are off a whopping 28 per cent.

I rest my case.

And you all plan to vote for McCain - you may have a job, maybe even a good job, but think of the people who don't because their jobs were sent overseas somewhere. When the least of us don't have.

this is yet another example of how completely out of touch mccain is with the majority of americans—-it would be hilarious how off mccain is if it werent so dangerous a time for this country!!!

mcCON is just like his BFF bush, the most unpopular, greedy, and criminal president in U.S. history!

i'm starting to think that the republican strategy is to LOSE this election, b/c they know what a disastrous mess bush has made of everything and how hard it will be for PResident Obama to clean it all up.

Most people should know most companies are going overseas because they want bigger tax breaks and to pay workers lower wages. Any common fool can figure that one out. Republicans are all for the wealthy and don't care about the little people.

I know you may not post this CNN, but I will give it a try anyway.

McCain is on the wrong side of the war and foreign policy, wrong side of energy, wrong side of fiscal responsibility (national debt and deficit), wrong side of healthcare, wrong side of taxes… may as well get o the wrong side of free trade too. Geesh… and some people still think this guy is electable?

Please tell me how our free trade agreements are creating jobs here at home?

DEMOCRATS UNITE!!!!

All free trade has done for us is shift U.S Companies to move their industries to foreign soil for the tax breaks, cheap labor with the knowledge of sending their tainted products to the U.S. where people and animals get sick from using them.

I understand that free trade is a net gain for the U.S. despite lost manufacturing jobs, but why is McCain unwilling to even sit down and renegociate the agreement? I dont really understand his logic on this one…Ignorance? To old to care? Low priority? Why cant McCain just admit that Barack has won this round and jump onboard to consider re-doing NAFTA?

Obama and Clinton do not have 95% of the same policies and I wish everyone would stop saying that.

Hillary wants Universal Health Care for everyone, Obama does not.
Hillary wants the American People to save on gas this summer, Obama does not.

Obama is scared to debate Hillary is not!!!!

Giovanni - I think Obama said free trade agreements need modifications to keep up with changing times.

Thanks

When he says "Free Trade" he really means "harming America's workers".

JimBlanco,

If a 60% tax increase improves education, health care, and the over-all quality of life in America, then come get my money. Else, tell the truth and admit that there is NO such 60% increase in taxes in the Obama plan. You are a LIAR and an ignorant person!

Nothing in life is "free" so get your check book out and write that bogus check.

One small thing we can do now is to buy "free trade" coffee which is a win-win situation for the local people, the environment, and to consumers here as it is grown free of chemicals, under existing natural forest canopy, and processed naturally.

Free trade is O.K. if it enacts accountability: environmental standards (such as not using pesticides that we have banned here and sound planting practices which do not harm the environment), worker standards, dignity to the indigenous peoples (making friends abroad rather than exploiting them and turning them into future terrorists).

The problem is that I do not believe John McCain or the Republicans are concerned about these things when they speak of free trade.

Speaking of Free Trade,

Why isn't the US pushing India to accept Walmart In India? India is very against Walmart in India because they say it will ruin the tradition of the India markets.

They can take our jobs with our government handing it to them on a silver plater, but they won't accept an American company like Walmart because it will ruin their way of life! It's the fault of our government that Free Trade is so unfair such as this!! I trust you McCain, to continue to ruin the American way of life by allowing this to happen!

…********* FREE ********* ……. TRADE… is an OXYMORON….

Also Obama is kinda coming out for free trade now that the primary is over. NYT: "For Obama: a Pragmatic shift to the Center on Free Trade"

Wait, wait let's import everything free of tax and allow everyone in every other country to tax our goods.

The American people are STUPID. They want to give all their money the big corp. while selling every piece of America available. Then when our economy tanks, they want to blame the politicians and NOT hold them accountable.

Worst yet, they turn around and vote in the same politicians that caused the problems we have.

Yep, you are right. Better to have someone we know will hurt us than a new person who hasn't hurt us. That way we can blame someone when things go wrong again. IDIOTS!!

To all you people who gripe about our jobs going overseas:

When you were in Walmart last time and saved a buck buying an item made in China versus the US, did you think about those American workers then? Where was your car made? The reason the jobs are going overseas is due to cheaper labor and Americans don't want to pay for American-made products which are more expensive because labor costs are higher here.

The Democrats blame Bush for jobs going offshore. They blame Nafta. This is the same old typical, take-no-reponsibility-for-your-actions, Democrat line. Obama, a new kind of politician? Yeah, right!

You people don't get it. Being indignant won't help. Criticizing those who "open doors to Columbia," claiming McCain is out of touch.

This train left the station is the 1990s. It's 2008, and you're still complaining instead of improving our products, competing for world wide business. Even the near-worthless dollar isn't getting the trade deficit worked out.

BO is not planning on any major adjustment to NAFTA ("Change" isn't going to happen because the basic economics are against it.) Ask your hero exactly HOW he will "CHANGE" NAFTA!

Free trade is a Democratic achievement - Bill Clinton pushed NAFTA and got it through. The credit goes to the Dems here, as it should. As long as you insist on keeping your head well buried in the sand, America will continue to lose internationally.

It's a failure to retrain American workers, to insist on increased standards in education, to fail to offer incentives to those going into the sciences. Bl