August 20, 2008
Posted: 12:11 PM ET

From
The AFL-CIO is sending this mailer to 50,000 voters
The AFL-CIO is sending this mailer to 50,000 voters

(CNN)—In part of a greater effort to reach out to critical swing state voters, the AFL-CIO is targeting John McCain’s support of trade with China in a new mailer.

“Beijing 2008 America’s athletes are coming home,” the mailer reads. “But thanks to John McCain, 2.3 million jobs aren’t.”

50,000 union swing voters throughout Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania will receive the latest mailer which cites McCain’s 1993 and 2000 Senate votes to implement and establish framework for trade with China.

“2.3 million jobs outsourced to China? That’s not a world record I would be proud of,” union member Dennis Philippi says on the mailer.

The mailer coincides with face-to-face efforts on the ground, according to AFL-CIO spokesman Steve Smith. Voters who receive the mailer are also getting phone calls from the group and knocks at their doors to ensure they hear the message “consecutively” in a number of ways.

Thus far the mailers have been “very well received” according to Smith.

This is the AFL-CIO’s second mailer taking aim at McCain in the past two weeks.

Filed under: AFL-CIO • John McCain


Alice Brinkley   August 20th, 2008 5:11 pm ET

IF AFL-CIO AND OTHER UNIONS HAD NOT RUN THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS WITHIN THE USA UP SO HIGH, THE BUSINESSES WOULD NOT HAVE GONE TO OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE WE CAN GET GOODS FOR LESS.

Phantom of the Oprah   August 20th, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Vote Obama !

St Croix, or bust   August 20th, 2008 4:59 pm ET

Former Republican (August 20th, 2008 4:42 pm ET)

"Life long Republican is now voting for Obama."

Another Obama zombie takes to the streets.

dittohead with forty names   August 20th, 2008 4:57 pm ET

Lets meet in the streets you republican scum.

NUTTER!!!   August 20th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

TO-NObama 2008 August 20th, 2008 4:34 pm ET
The AFL-CIO forces it's members to give their dues and then ignores them, if they aren't "of the right " party and uses those dues to help one party.That is BIG FAT LIE!!!

Dittohead High School   August 20th, 2008 4:51 pm ET

Hey hows 8 yrs of DEREGULATION COMING ALONG?How many dead people, dead cats and dogs etc.Electric and gas bills?Now I know what over paid manangers do all day,they sit and blog and whine about not making enough corporate profits.

Que Quedas   August 20th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

Richard J……china imports about 1 million dollars in good to the Us and we export 2 dollars of goods to China…….the trade discrepancy is enormous……if that is fixed then some free trade is beneficial…..but as things are now it is too much coming in and not enough goin to China

Former Republican   August 20th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Life long Republican is now voting for Obama.

Speak no, hear no, see no....   August 20th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

The AFL-CIO…the greatest group of independant thinkers on the planet! Suurrrrree…they know what's really important in life. All together now…..OBAMA…OBAMA…OBAMA….hey Louis, fall in line…OBAMA…OBAMA…you didn't make your $50 COPE donation, Louis…OBAMA…OBAMA…I'm pullin' your card…OBAMA…OBAMA…

LIbertine, Fort Myers   August 20th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

No breaks.
Allow him his justice. Then punish him to the fullest extent of the law if he is found guilty.

If he's guilty–several million U.S. taxpayers have a debt to settle for his wrangling and coniving millions of taxper dollars into his own pockets. We'll be happy to watch him rot away in prison w/ Bubba and his friends.

Carmon Minneapolis MN   August 20th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Its been almost a year now and I have had the same home phone number and cell phone number and I have NEVER EVER EVA EVA EVA been polled. So my advice to all you who have not been polled, don’t believe this because after almost a year of campaign polls that the media keeps reporting on you cant tell me AFTER A YEAR they could not have found the time to call either of my phones by now.

As a matter a fact no one I know has been polled. I bet CNN won’t post this because they don’t want people to know that these polls are a load of BS and that they are Media Driven.

CNN STOP INSULTING MY INTELLIGENCE

NObama 2008   August 20th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

The AFL-CIO forces it's members to give their dues and then ignores them, if they aren't "of the right " party and uses those dues to help one party.

Kind of unamerican, don't you think?

NObama 2008   August 20th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

Yes, let's listen to unions. They might have done some good for the U.S. when we had child labor but no one seriously thinks it wasn't the unions' fault for the auto industry and the steel industry for going belly up in the U.S.

M. Winners, Mesa, AZ   August 20th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

Great job in getting the truth out where it counts AFL-CIO Kudos to you.
PS: Hey "aware" - your comments make your monicker into an "oxy-moron"

Dittohead High School   August 20th, 2008 4:30 pm ET

I love Rush Limbaughs fiscal policy,I get richer while you get poorer and dumber.

Vegas   August 20th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

"McCain’s 1993 and 2000 Senate votes to implement and establish framework for trade with China."

Oh yea… and who was president? You know…. the one who pushed the deal? Charlie Tree and his cronies… yea…

Nice move Obama… pick legislation pushed by the Dems…

Charlotte   August 20th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Unions are to blame with their more, more mentality.

ex-Republican for Obama   August 20th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

Excellent.

Robert   August 20th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

More lies and deceipt from the left!

McCain 08

Mark   August 20th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

McSame is going down!

NotFallingInLine.org   August 20th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

"I didn't decide to run for president to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president. . . . In truth, I'd had the ambition for a long time." — from John McCain's autobiography.

Rave   August 20th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

McCain will do anything and lie, fake.. to win the election
Does he realize that not many people don't leave their wifes to marry a rich women and not many people are rich.
McCain is a BUM
OBAMA (2008 -16)

LIbertine, Fort Myers   August 20th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

It's absurd we are addressing issues like the trade deficit with China. The candidates should be focusing on issues going on right here in America. This would really help us define where their belief systems were focused–and how aware they are of real issues going on inside of our country:
This afternoon, Bob Barr issued a press release publicly praising the decisions of the Harrold, Texas school district for their recent policy change that allows teachers and staff to carry a concealed handgun on school property. He noted that this may make this particular district one of the safest for students and faculty in the nation. Mr. Barr’s words on the policy change:

Taking a stand–that is logical but not necessarily politically correct. Honesty, integritym, and real change–that's what we all are seeking in this important Presidential election.

Bob Barr 2008
Real change–real commitment–real President.

Vote Nader   August 20th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Ken in Dallas August 20th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

You want to understand global economics? Fine.

When two countries with differing standards of living set up a free-trade protocol, their standards of living tend to equalize, to the benefit of the country that started with a lower standard of living, and to the detriment of the partner that started with the higher.

For us, free trade means lower wages and a lower standard of living. Resistance to the lowering of wages causes jobs to migrate to the country with the lower cost structure consistent with their lower standards.

Any questions?

———————————————————————————————–

You forget to mention the cheaper, more readily available and often better quality goods that free, or more accurately, fair trade brings. Your arguement is flawed, because you base it off the ability of our country, and likewise, all countries to be able to produce every good required or demanded for themselves. That can't happen, no country has every raw material in existence (with unlimited supply) within their borders.

Fair trade creates competition, which in turn benefits the consumer. Without (fair trade) imports, domestic products would be short on quality and high on price. The manufacturers would have no reason to change that.

True, jobs have been moved overseas, but the impact of the global market actually creates jobs here at home. Better paying ones too. Without fair trade, your purchasing power would be reduced and thus your standard of living. With the ability to purchase cheaper goods from all over the world, you live a better life.

** Nader/Gonzalez 2008 **

Phil   August 20th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Sherry,
Your union you praise like you praise Obama does nothing but push jobs elsewhere. A company owner has a right to make a profit, however large they want it to be. If you don't like your wage, move on somewhere else. No one has a gun to your head to make you work there. Unions are money hungry blood sucking entities that are only looking out for themselves, not the employee. The employee/union member is simply a pawn in their game for power. Labor laws make unions irrelevant, and until the American people wake up to that, they will continue to push work elsewhere. I am sooooo glad I live in a Right to Work state.

Phil-Texas   August 20th, 2008 4:09 pm ET

Did you see on the news where China is outsourcing jobs to Viet Nam because their own people are making to much money? That is the more profit economics that has and is cutting the americans throat and is lowering our standard of living. The Wal-Marts and Nike's of the world are doing just try and unionize and see what happens.

Tom   August 20th, 2008 4:06 pm ET

NAFTA was signed in under Bill Clinton, for those of you who don't know it. And the rumor that several of you are referring to about Obama and NAFTA is simply not true.

It was the Clinton camp who said they would extend NAFTA. Clinton wrote in her book about how great NAFTA was for America, and defended it, callinig it one of the "crown jewels" of her husband's administration. Please get the facts straight. Obama is not and never was in favor of NAFTA.

Paris   August 20th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

Unions are the PROBLEM.

Nick   August 20th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

A vast majority of the jobs being shipped over seas weren't Union jobs to begin with. They are low level unorganized manufactoring jobs. Unions have been battling back outsourcing and importing of labor that threatens thier jobs. Unions aren't greedy, they demand cost of living wage increases, benefits, and contractual work. Its not unreasonable.

Leona Penn   August 20th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

What don't you Republicans get about this election? Jobs have flown out by the thousands and are still going. Do you know how many more are leaving and this means job loss for the US.

It seems that a lot of Republicians would rather eat mayonnaise and bicuits if the choice is to vote for Obam awho just happes to be Black. I don't get it. Most of the houses being lost are by whites basically because most Blacks weren't allowed to buy them .

We as a country are getting lost in color issues and fail to see that the next war based on McCain's "defeat them" is a war cry. Who will go? Are you McCain loving nuts willing to follow this man stillliving in a time warp into another war and eat that mayonnaise. Vote on changing our direction and when you close your eyes and think of the issues we face you will see tgreen going overseas and red for the blood our soldiers have shed.

TN for Obama   August 20th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

McWrinkle, Father Time wants YOU for HIS running mate!

Doug, New Jersey   August 20th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

I have heard from quite a few that when you work union and you work too hard you get yelled at to slow down. Imagine that, being punished for working too hard, oh wait, that is what the liberal Democrat party stands for these days, wow what perfect bed fellows!!!:)

Chad, Wisco   August 20th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

The AFL-CIO is the real reason most of these jobs are gone. But of course in their view it was one man from Arizona's fault.

KMAN   August 20th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

aware … you are the one too stupid to notice that McCain is another Bush!

Brian   August 20th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Yes, we have lost alot of jobs to China. The Walmarts of the world also import alot of cheap goods from them, while they ban our goods.

On the job front, I feel that India is a much bigger problem than China. We are losing millions and millions of skilled jobs, especially in IT, to India. And we can't even count the number of people who come here from India annually to take our technical jobs, especially in IT.

gl   August 20th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

Cafferty is the only one over there that calls it like he sees it.
I agreed 110 precent!

Elizabeth FOR OBAMA   August 20th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

McCain sent our jobs to China.
McCain would say and do anything to win this election.
McCain is for take breaks to the oil companies, no taxes on the rich and send as many jobs overseas as possible.

Now to the great people of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, Nebraska and all of the states where your jobs are lost to other countries - you have John McCain, George Bush, Joe Lieberman, and Dick Cheney to thank.

Barack Obama will help create jobs, build the economy, create new energy sources, fix the housing crisis and bring your wonderful sons and daughters home from Iraq.

John McCain can go to Iraq and stay 100 years but he can't have my grandson's. He is lost in the Vietnam war. His answer to everything is WAR. McCain voted to go to war. Not good judgement.

aware   August 20th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

Obama is a socialist/fascist elitist out of touch with mainstream America. :(

He just doesn't get it! He thinks Americans are too stupid to notice!

This former Democrat will vote for McCain 08! :)

Kevin Leo (Jonesboro, GA)   August 20th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

Can you believe the venom being spit out by all of these anti-union posters?! Without the very unions that you are putting down, you would not be making the wages you are making right now as your company would be trying to maximize its profits and cutting costs instead of paying you!!!

gl   August 20th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

It is not the working people that is supporting McShame. It is the no-working uneducated people they are home when these polls are taking. The polls do not include working Americans. I yet have gotten any calls after I get home from work so the polls are very unaccurated.

Peter E   August 20th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

I wonder if they'll also advertise the jobs lost to NAFTA, that Obama keeps talking trash about but keeps voting for anyway…

aware   August 20th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Obama=union patronage, obfuscation and flat out lies!

Vote McCain 08. The candidate with authenticity and integrity. He is also the candidate who crushed Obama at the Rick Warren Forum.

No wonder Obama wants everyone to talk about VP nonsense! :)

gl   August 20th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

The game have only just begin. Polls of Poll will be interesting in the next week or two. McShame doesn't have a change after these mailer go out.

Copperfield   August 20th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

To Chris, NJ.

It's remarkable how you can try to make something sound truthful by mixing a single fact with a surplus of hot air. You talk about how war generally helps an economy and state world war 2 as an example. You fail however, to mention the fact that world war two boosted our economy because we found ourself in the significant situation of having to produce our own wartime supplies. Hence jobs were made and the economy lifted itself out of depression.

In our situation however, war is destroying our economy. First of all, America is not the sole provider of american military supply. For example, the government just signed an enormous contract with a british airline company to produce fueling air vessels. This contract was made over the decision for Boeing, an American corporation. In the same bucket as outsourcing comes the simple fact that we are spenind BILLIONS in an occupation… not a WAR…

Get the facts straight, Iraq is killing our economy.

Great job by the way AFL-CIO, push the facts!

CTP   August 20th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

NO MCCAIN, NO WAY, NEVER!!! We must ensure that the old creep loses in November.

YES WE WILL!!!!

Obama '08

sherry for Obama   August 20th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

UNIONS ARE GOOD FOR THIS COUNTRY.

bIG BUSINESS DO OUTSOURCE JOBS OVER SEAS TO INDIA AND CHINA ETC. BECAUSE THEY PAY THEM CHEAP LABOR.

UNION JOBS PAY BIG WAGES AND GREAT BENEFITS

ALL BIG BUSINESS WANT TO DO IS FATTEN THEIR WALLET THEY FORGET WITHOUT THE HIGHLY SKILLED WORK FORCE THEY WOULDNT BE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR COMPANYS

Phil in KC   August 20th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

We need to punish companies that send jobs overseas and reward those who create jobs here in the US - or move jobs back. Further, we need to implement policies that punish countries who utilize slave labor, child labor or sweat shops. Then we need to stop borrowing so much money from a country whose interests and form of government run counter to our own.
This is just one of the reasons I will not be voting for McCain. You see, unlike some people, who shall remain nameless, I am an issues voter. And, while McCain has served his country honorably, he does not support the same stand on the issues that I do. That's really all that matters.

Peter E   August 20th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

Hypocrisy alert! I detect hundreds of angry responses about the outsourcing of jobs to China being typed on Chinese-made keyboards!

Dittohead High School   August 20th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

Raymond Duke,are you wearing your white sheet today?

LT for Obama   August 20th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

What most of you are missing is one very important fact about Senator John McCain. He has admitted in his autobiography that he decided to run for President because that is his one true ambition.

He says "I didn't decide to run for president to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president. . . . In truth, I'd had the ambition for a long time."

Seems to me he does not really care about any of us, just wants to fulfill his AMBITION.

Sweetie   August 20th, 2008 3:42 pm ET

An attack Ad that isn't true always backfires.

Obama is no longer a viable candidate.

Maybe the DNC will wake up in time to put forth the Candidate who actually won the popular vote in the Swing States that really count in a General Election.

McCain 08

B J   August 20th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

Rudy NYC August 20th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

"McCain is campaigning to be Commander in Chief.

Obama is campaigning to be President of the United States.

Does that make a difference to you?"

I thought that Obama was running for UN Secretary General or King of the World after his speech in Germany.

Arkansas Undertaker   August 20th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Obama needs to speend more of that $400 Million Dollars on attack ads against McCain before its too late.

Michael Shea   August 20th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

John McCain like Bill Clinton never met a "Free Trade Agreement They Didn't Like."

I was a union political director for over 22 years. I was in the middle of the fight against NAFTA,CAFTA GATT and WTO. All of those free trade agreements were heavily supported by multinational corporations, institutions of higher learning, national media and investment bankers. Those of us who opposed them were family farmers, most environmental organizations, the John Birch Society, Buchanan Republicans, Perot supporters, traditional Democrats and organized labor. During this period all of us opposed to the trade agreements were labeled protectionists and fear mongers.

The major reasons McCain, Clinton and multinational corporations support these trade agreements are to bust unions, exploit cheap labor offshore and control the economy worldwide.

If Barrack Obama continue to hammer McCain on this election he will win the election

B J   August 20th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Typically union labor is overpaid compared to non-union labor in the US. Why should someone make $25-30/hr to put lug nuts on a car. The days of union necessity to protect rights are long gone. There are enough federal statutes out there to protect workers.

As far as NAFTA goes, as far as I remember Bill Clinton is responsible for that one and Obama voted to continue it. Be careful what you ask for.

Al - NYC   August 20th, 2008 3:39 pm ET

Obama, higher corporate taxes = companies move jobs to where its less expensive (overseas).

McCain, lower corporate taxes = companies keep more jobs in USA.

It's called economics 101 folks.

Peter E   August 20th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

To all the 'outraged' Obama supporters: take a look at your keyboard, your monitor, and your mouse… chances are they too were made in China. So apparently you also are responsible for the outsourcing of 2.3 million jobs to China. Shame on you!

Rudy NYC   August 20th, 2008 3:36 pm ET

Someone, Chris, NJ, above raised a good point. Gas prices.

Do a little research. Gas prices have traditionally dropped significantly just prior to a general election. A drop that always comes on the heels of a year long increase. The drop never offsets the increase. Then, the increase kicks back in higher than ever following the election of a GOP president.

Check it out.
Do a little research into the history of the price of a barrel of oil.

jp,michigan   August 20th, 2008 3:36 pm ET

Read: The Employee Free Choice Act, before you vote for Obama

canuck   August 20th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

unions are dinosaurs. they had a time and place 50 years ago. now they have pushed companies to far so they die a long slow death. I quote the united airlines pilot union leader - "we don't want to kill the golden goose, just squeeze every last egg out of it." now look at united, gm, ford etc. the unions have played there rolls in hurting the companies and america.

Crush Rush   August 20th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

Whats left in your wallet? Hows your deregulated electric, gas and other bills coming along?Republicans said,yea it works to line their pockets, deregulation works against the little and middle income guy, dont let them lie any more.Its time to regulate and take over the oil companies while were at it.

Peter E   August 20th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

Yes, and I'm sure replacing the outsourcing of jobs to China with ones to our NAFTA partners (the ones Obama voted for) are going to be so much better at bringing our jobs back… NOT!

Bob Indianapolis, IN   August 20th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

Thanks to Bush and McSame's endless war the Chinese own us. Time to turn the bus around…

Peter E   August 20th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

Let he who's without sin cast the first stone.
I bet the very keyboard you're writing your hateful, anti-McCain answer on was made in China too!

Victoria   August 20th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

To all the the American people hold your ground don't be fool by the Republicans we need change for this country. Take notice everytime Obama numbers goes up media goes and start talking about terriost attacks and wars those are the Republicans fear attacks. American people don'nt be fool this time!. Bush and his other Republicans show the same fear attach donot fall for this from the Republicans again.! Vote Democratic Obama will be a good President Obama loves this country and Obama will keep our country safe. The Republicans had thier chance and look at their accomplishments and all thier experience, fail Ecomomy and a War that should of never happen! Working families and the elderly and your childerns and grandchildren Mccain's economy Policies will hurt you. Mccain Policies is favor for the BIg Oil companies and Big corporations. Wake up and donnot fall for this again Please!!! Mccain's Policies hurt women too.

LMAO AFL Not Credible   August 20th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

Steel Tarrifs for the Win… Bush protected and rebuilt this fragile industry in the US.. and the Media and Dems attacked him….

ron   August 20th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

companies are in business to make money, if they can't show a decent return for investors, those investors will go elsewhere and the companies will fold. to stay viable they have to offset wage medical and other perks, the union as forced onto them. there comes a time that it is no longer feasible to pay and stay competitive, so they have to go where the cost is lower. union members are being hypocritical, they demand bigger and bigger wages and concessions but when they buy, they buy products that are made in foreign countries because they are cheaper. you can't keep jobs in America if you support foreign countries and handcuff our own producers remember when chinese products were dollar store stuff till we started to buy more and more. free trade is not the culprit all we have to ask is where was this made a car made in Mexico will sell for the same as one made in Detroit so buy the one made here support your country it'll support you

TheTruthHurts   August 20th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

This is what Obama needs. Large, credible, blue collar surrogates. He's already won the liberal left. He's got the professors and latte-drinkers. He's got urban poor folks. He needs those heartland folks that buy all that tough talk and "principle" to understand that the only principal the Republican party (not necessarily all individual republicans) believe in is supported corporate rape of the taxpayer instead of government rape of the taxpayer. Dems do it too, but Repubs have written the book and Obama seeks to stop the games in Washington on both sides. Sure, he;ll need us to apply the pressure, but he's signed up to lead the charge. Business is not bad, it's just greedy to the point of hurting the country. We need to bring them back to just being greedy enough to make money without screwing the whole economy.

LMAO AFL Not Credible   August 20th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

The AFL has sent more jobs overseas than any politician should ever dream of. Get Real, unless the consumer decides he wants to pay more for everyday american build items than identical chinese built items JOBS ARE GOING TO GO Overseas… but just to put the overall descrepency in further detail its not only cheaper to make it over there its also cheaper to make it over there and shipit over HERE… GIVE ME A BREAK US Labor should at least attempt to match the price of the general labor overseas + the cost of shipment… but NOPE AFL says that isnt sensible… so lets send more jobs oversears…

Nice Job Guys……
BTW I have a outsourced job…

Mike in Calgary   August 20th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

China brought down and dismantled a US surveillance plane and held its 12-14 person crew hostage for weeks several years ago. China respects the US or Canada or….. RIGHT!!!
McCain doesn't understand the economy. He was a dull student and he got captured in Vietnam, and crashed another plane before that! Some experience! Some Judgment. No WMDs. Prime Minister Karzai wants US out in 12-18 months, and warmonger McCain still wants to continue the Bush/McCain war? McCain is indeed a POOR STUDENT! He doesn't seem to learn from books study or experience - other than from his moral failings in his first marriage. He seems to have learned alot from marrying into the wealthy Budweiser family!
Mike
Mike

REG in AZ   August 20th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

It is good to see McCain and the Republicans being held accountable for something important to the people instead of them always just smokescreening everyone. McCain seems to be getting mileage from his strong but meaningless responses on off-shore drilling and on Georgia v Russia. Just being loud and strong with coached responses and without real merit or meaningful and well thought out proposals isn't what we need. McCain's experience clearly demonstrates emphasis on show with little substance and I think more faith can be put in Obama's conscientious proposals aimed to really benefit all of the people instead of just Special Interests and a select few.

Phil   August 20th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

Good lord…if anyone listens to the AFL-CIO, they are crazy to begin with. Has anyone seen that lovely Employee Free Choice legislation they got sponsored. Essentially it allows for the secret ballot to be taken away when deciding on whether to unionize a company. Look it up and prepare to be shocked. And to make it even better, the Communist Party of America supports this legislation alongside the AFL-CIO. Unions are outdated and have caused American production and quality to go down.

jfs Memhis, Tn   August 20th, 2008 3:23 pm ET

Just a note the greatest growth in OVERALL prosperity and quality of life in the USA was during the plateau of UNIONISM. Even though wages were high….we collected tax dollars on those jobs( Which helps to pay down national debt) and money was being spent ON AMERICAN made products. These folks paid $20,000 for Chevy's. We could have hardly expected the Chineese, or Indians, Japaneese, Mexicans, or Indonesians to do the same. Other than technology exporting ..which actually has a negative effect on Industrial type jobs….it was a no win for the average American. Additional trade pacts will not play well for anyone but big business who are UNDER the belief (and trying to convience the average American) that we can grow and maintain our USA lifestyle by going Global…so far it is working for only those at the top of the Earning Scales….MOSTLY REPUBLICANS. ….. Not SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES !!!

KM   August 20th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

How can some of you say that unions asking for better wages and benefits is the cause for companies to go overseas. Excuse me if I'm sitting just a little bit high on my horse and thinking that I bring something special to this company. If my company is properous, then yes I think that I should be rewarded for my hard work as well.

By shipping production overseas, you're right it will save the company money because that $1500 flat panel tv that you just bought was made by a young lady in China or Mexico who works 12 hour days and make $5 per day. That's not being fiscally responsible, that is called being a slave master. If companies want to do that, fine, but our government should not give them tax breaks or incentives and reward them for excluding Americans.

Fairness Doctrine   August 20th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

MIKE,SYRACUSE,NY, Your so patriotic for the commies,why dont you move their too?

mike   August 20th, 2008 3:20 pm ET

Gas was 2.20 a gallon when the democrats took control of the congress. oshama voted billions to subsidize oil companies but McCain voted no. Now you put a democrat in the white house with a democratic congress and see how many more jobs go overseas.After all oshama had no problem with high gas prices only with how fast they rose. His own words.

ALLAN USA.   August 20th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

AFL-CIO is joke . It's create by communist all over . McCain is the man. Obama need to go school-11th grade. His speech, his big ground,all this Germany hu-pa,… kids staff. His staff stupit,play marketing game. I wish they talk simple talk and phrase. Tax tax tax — this is chance.

Chris, NJ   August 20th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

VON BISMARK,Vienna. August 20th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

"That is not all.HE creats and outsource thousand others with his fingers dripping with american and iraqi blood in terms of war contracts in Iraq."

But war creates jobs does it not?
You're not helping your case any by bringing the Iraq war into this. Anytime there is a war, jobs are created for the soldiers fighting and jobs are created at home as a demand for supplies for the war forms.

A war is actually good for a countries economy. That's how we got out of the great depression. But the jobs created at home from war you need a college education to get so union members typically won't see these jobs. These jobs are things such as rocket scientists (to develop missile systems), engineers (to design the next step of weapons), strategists, etc.

Good try though.

Tejano   August 20th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

This former Union workers (IBEW) does not appreciate the Union leaders using my money to promote a Marxist Ideology in my Country.
The American worker has been robbed by the Unions and the American companies working together.
AFL-CIO and other Labor organizations will be sorry for supporting Obama for President. My pension is at risk and so is my country.

Matt--Nebraska   August 20th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

The libs are worried about the 'Separation of Church and State'

We should look into separating big businesses like Unions from politics as well.

Look at Obama's big donors. Mostly big Unions.

It's sad that the Unions continue to support the same people that send their jobs overseas, like the Clintons and now Obama.

Vig   August 20th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

No Hillary CLinton = No Obama.

Credit Card Republicans   August 20th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

AHH, but globalism is for the greater good of the rich and famous.Let the working man starve.We can thank Bill Clinton and the REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AT THE TIME,LED BY THE LITTLE NEWT GANGORINE.

Mike, Syracuse, NY   August 20th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

My company moved a some work from NY to GA a few years ago. We could get a whole day of non-union labor in GA for what we paid for an hour of union labor in NY. If the unions want to know why jobs are leaving, they need to look in a mirror. How many of you whiners ever shopped at Walmart? You like the low prices right? Well there's a connection. Unions have killed the jobs, not NAFTA. If a Chinese peasant can do your job, then you need to re-educate yourself to survive in a global economy. Unions need to adapt or die.

Bayou Joe   August 20th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

AFL-CIO and the Communist Unions are irrelevant. The Fat cat Union leaders sold out the rank and file years ago. Union dues are being used to promote Socialists agendas without regard to the members
political ideology. Stop the Marxist candiate Vote McCain.

Mike - Texas   August 20th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Let's see, Obama told the American people that he would undo NAFTA while at the same time telling the governments of Mexico and Canada to ignore what he was telling the American people.

So, either Obama is lying to the American people or he is lying to the governments of Mexico and Canada.

Either way, Obama is lying to someone.

fred   August 20th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Outsourcing is brought about by Democrats, not republicans. Republicans try to give tax breaks to the corporations so that they have more money to buy equipment and hire American workers. When Democrats start taxing big business, like they love to do, what would you do if you were a big business owner? You would say, wow I'm losing profits with these high taxes, so I can't give my employees raises or many benefits, and I could make a ton more money by hiring people in China or Mexico. So they do that. The key to keeping jobs here, I'm sorry to say, is to encourage business owners to hire American workers, NOT discourage them. Liberals don't get simple economics.

John   August 20th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Reading these comments says alot about the comments and their content. Most of the pro-union & pro-Obama rantings have misspelled words and the grammar is atrocious. All you AFL-CIO fans need only to go to Wal-Mart and see all the "Proud to be Union" bumper stickers in the parking lot. Practice what you preach and be careful what you wish for! Obama=Socialism.

John McShame, Obama Is Going to Tax You & Cindy, but Not Me & 95% Americans Making < $250,000/Yr   August 20th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

“2.3 million jobs outsourced to China courtesy of John McSame!

John McSame talk about giving americans tax breaks, but taking away their jobs!

John McSame, how are you going give americans when we dont have any jobs?

john mcsame = politics of gimmick

Dianna   August 20th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

Let us not forget the NAFTA agreement that Bill Clinton sit into place that started our jobs leaving the USA and going to countries with lower cost labor and child labor. This move closed many of our manufactures in the USA and has millions jobless.

Also, has Obama proven he is an American by birth? Last I heard there was no real record of him being born in the states. Also don't we want a President that was educated here, with our values?

Foreign observer   August 20th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Understand that shipping jobs to China is the only way how Americas rich people can become even richer.

Annoy the media, Say NO to Obama   August 20th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Hey folks, if this is true… how come Obama has received more donations from Chinese company officials…

While on the topic - Obama has also received more donations from American Oil company employees!!!

So lets get real…

Lacy   August 20th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

Happy to see McCain under scrutiny and taking heat.

patt w   August 20th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

The outsourcing of jobs…the accoutability should go to Clinton and Gore…Perot tried to warn all of you about trade bills, and you did not listen…any of you remember the Gore Perot debates? Perot was right, Gore was wrong…any of you remember when Obama was sucking up and pandering to the unions and started criticizing NAFTA, and then ran up to Canada and told them what he was saying was a bunch of crap, he did not mean it, he had to say those things to get people like you elected? he wont do anything, because he never has. Vote him in if you want but you yonger ones will pay his bills, not us older ones…you have been warned about him. We have already had one Jimmy Carter in my lifetime

California Gold   August 20th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

Next McCain will accuse the AFL-CIO of being unAmerican.

VON BISMARK,Vienna.   August 20th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

That is not all.HE creats and outsource thousand others with his fingers dripping with american and iraqi blood in terms of war contracts in Iraq.

Debby   August 20th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Wait Obama's hands aren't clean in NAFTA what a lame add. All the McCain camp is going to do is come back and counter it with Obama's voting to extend NAFTA.

Texan going independent   August 20th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Personally, a union endorsement of a candidate usually makes me leary of that person.

Ian   August 20th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

I think I speak for everyone here when I say "Union Yes!!!"

EMJ   August 20th, 2008 3:01 pm ET

I blame Obama! LOL isn't he responsible for EVEYTHING bad in the world?

mike   August 20th, 2008 3:00 pm ET

Truth be told unions have priced themselves out of jobs along with congress taxing the business community, it is cheaper to move over seas and employ cheaper labor.

John is the right choice   August 20th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Thank God unions are not running this country. If they were there would be a select few being paid great for doing very little, kind of like the bloated government we will have with Obama as President.

Thank God the polls are showing the American people understand the radical left wing policies of Obama\Pelosi - TAX AND SPEND US TO SEVERE JOB LOSS.

McCain & Hillary Supporters 2008

TESAP; SAVANNAH, GA   August 20th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

WHOA….. MY FRIEND…….. THIS HAS NO MERIT….

TRUTH…….AMERICANS CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH………..LOL… FUNNY THE STATES MOST AFFECTED ARE THE STATES THAT MCCAIN IS ON TAP TO WIN…………….

THE UNIONS MADE COMPANIES OUTSOURCE…. THAT IS A-M-A-ZING………. PEOPLE WANTED EQUAL PAY BENEFITS AND PENSIONS…. THOSE UNGRATEFUL………… LOL………..

b Jiggy   August 20th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

According to wikipedia: John McCain's net worth is about $40 million, Hillary Cinton about $34 million and Barack Obama at almost about $2 million….. tell me again who's elite and out of touch?

Go dems!!

:)

proud army and navy mom   August 20th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Unions are like Obama, a waste……Take some of that money you are waisting on smear tactics and give it back to the union members you are robbing

Jimmy P - Chicago   August 20th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

AFL-CIO = Destroying America! The time of the union has come and gone! You deadbeat union officials retain power by keeping your members as stupid as possible. AFL-CIO defends the working man? My arse, you represent parasites who cannot compete in the new world market. Get an education you bunch of losers!

hillybilly   August 20th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

keep up the great work,folks.america is with you.[at least the smart ones with morals and integrity.]

Nick   August 20th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

It's not McCain. It is the fault of the Chinese government's malicous desire to become an industrial world power. They neglect worker's rights, environmental issues, etc. Ironically China has become exactly the type of state that conservatives in this country push for. Sure there is growth, but at what cost, and how long can it last?
Not to mention the American consumer for continuing to buy these products. American consumers love brands, not quality.

Michelle, PA   August 20th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

Hey Pat, if McCain can claim Obama is solely responsible for high gas prices, turnabout is fair play.

The mailer is, in fact, true with respect to McCain's voting record for bills making it easier and cheaper to outsource American jobs. To be 100% fair is he solely responsible for 2.3 million lost jobs? No. But he voted party line, the same party he would represent in the White House. Food for thought.

Michael   August 20th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

Libertine, Ft Myers is exactly right when he states this mess started with Bill Clinton.

Perhaps the AFL-CIO and take a survey while they are going door to door on these two quesitons.

How willing are American cosumers to pay more for American made products vs cheaper imported products?

How far are American tax payers willing to go to help evil US corporations complete with Chinese and other foreign corporations who have the benifit of lower taxes, cheaper labor and less government regulation?

If American tax payers are not will to do either of the above, we will contiune to lose US jobs, either to outsourcing or due to US business just flat out failing because they can't compete.

Renee   August 20th, 2008 2:54 pm ET

The American people need to wait up! concerning John Mccain and if they don'nt when ever John Mccain the Warmonger say I want war this country will go to war and the mess the Bush"s Administration put this country in a ecomomy mess. Mccain will contiune the same Bush Policies and I can'nt understand why in the world one could vote Republican because the Republicans with all thier experience which is Bush's Administration cause this ecomomy mess we are in. If we want different we have to vote different Vote Democratic. Why do the American people keep to listening to the Republicans who put us in this mess we need change! and it is not Mccain kind of change because Mccain's change is more of the same as Bush the economy is in a mess now vote Mccain will run this country into the ground with Mccain's outdated policies.

Carrie Goodeagle Hayden, Idaho   August 20th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

God Bless the AFL-CIO. You have helped everyday workers work with dignity and respect, and a living wage. I am thoroughly convinced that Jesus was a Union Man.

Brian   August 20th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

keep on telling them the truth. Republicans have nothing to run on!!

Jim   August 20th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Rob, your an idiot, would you pay your tax's if the government didn't mandate it…you wanna blame it on greed? Your a blind baffoon.

Armageddan is at the door   August 20th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

Pat Riot, have you even considered that if more and more jobs are shipped overseas, who is going to buy the products imported to this country? Greed is a monster. You didn't even give it a thought that if people aren't working those same business will go under.

In order to purchase goods and services in THIS country, people need an income to be able to do that. If jobs are constantly outsourced who is going to buy those goods? If no one is receiving a pay check, no one is shopping at Wal Mart either. DUH!!!

Therein lies the folly of the greedy, they can't see anything but the profits.

Let me break it down further for the mentally impaired -

NO PAY = NO BUY, OKAY???

Geeez…. What are some of you people thinking about anyway?

jfs Memhis, Tn   August 20th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

John McCain is NOT A FRIEND of labor. The sooner folks in Pa., Mich., and Ohio are clear on that ; the faster Obama and all Ameruca can help those folks and all of our USA Families. We have to stop the selfishness and help it other. It may cost ME more in taxes ….but money well spent for the growth and security of the United States.

Susan   August 20th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Bravo AFL-CIO! Keep the truthful attacks coming against Senator McShame!

Jim   August 20th, 2008 2:49 pm ET

Another 4 years of Bush/Mccain economics and this country will be in a depression.

People make no sense   August 20th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

I would like to repost some topics that I've discussed.

Gas prices will hover close to $2 before the election.

and

McWar is needs to explain how he was dumb enough to get caught early in his military career, and spenta long war being held captive. Wow what a hero. No guns blazing - shoot your way out of anything - defend America. Just tortured spilling your guts against America. Through diplomatic means, and his father he was allowed to live. It's laughable that people consider him a hero and strong on war. He spent his time in captivity during war. Is that what he plans to teach us? He was flying a plane he was too dumb to know how to fly and got shot down. Maybe if he wasn't a C student he would have been able to learn the technics to manuever out of position and not get shot down. My grandfather flew endless hours fighting in the same war and he came back a *Real American Hero*.

kathleen   August 20th, 2008 2:46 pm ET

Yes, THank you John McCain for your believing that all is well in our
country. The Republicans and the rich will pack up and leave our Country HIgh and Dry with elaborate homes in other countries.
i.e. Dubai. Oh, and do the Clinton's own property there??? Yeah,
I thought so. I know the Country of Dubai will pay Bill millions for
a speech. That should well make up what Hillary spent, and some
vendors she has not paid yet!!!! on her supersized lying,tricky campaign.

INDEPENDENT NYC   August 20th, 2008 2:45 pm ET

The campaign can't by law coordinate with the 572's but the AFL-CIO has been right on the money with its timing. GOOD JOB GUYS AND LADIES

Brian   August 20th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

Mccain is all about drilling. Americans deserve alot better.

There is alot more sen. John. Healthcare, jobs, good goverment that Americans deserve!!

Joe Kiloz   August 20th, 2008 2:41 pm ET

R E M I N D—-M E M B E R S—–C O S T —-O F—G O O D S—-W I L L—

G O—-H I G H E R

Bendo   August 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

The Obama turn around begins…..all you repugs just because Mclame goes up a few notches in the polls he's already beaten Obama. Wait till after the debates and conventions, see the polls in CO/VA/NH/NM/IA plus all the Kerry states and you will see a EC win for Obama, nice try on seeing Mcgoo in the oval ofice….not this time!

McCain voted for Trade   August 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

"50,000 union swing voters throughout Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania will receive the latest mailer which cites McCain’s 1993 and 2000 Senate votes to implement and establish framework for trade with China."

It doesn't matter if Bill Clinton is the cause of this…The FACT is, McCain voted for it. Bill is NOT running for president, McCain is

don   August 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

The one thing that bothers me about both presidential candidates is this. Over 4,000 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the war began. Yet over 40,000 Americans will be killed right here in the United States this year by guns.

One American service person had to be emergency air lifted from Iraq back to Los Angeles where she had to bury her son who was shot down on the streets of LA by what this soldier declared was an urban terrorist. And while I’m writing this I’m listing to the news stating that a lady just a few hours ago had to identify her son who was shot on the streets of Long Beach California. O, by the way, she has two other sons in the Marines currently in Iraq.

The threat to our society to me seems clear; why don’t our presidential candidates see it?

Raymond Duke   August 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

If unions are so great why did they not help Obama beat Hillary Clinton in key states where they have a large number of members. Example the teamsters. I will give you a clue. The union hardly has any members left and are a small majority of americans . They fall in the same catgory as blacks in america. They make up a small minority of america in relation to the white population and the Hispanic population which is increasing rapidly in population size. The unions overate themselves on what they can accomplish.

ooops i did it again   August 20th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

Wayne Berman-CHEVRON, Eric Burgeson-BP, Frank Donatelli-EXXON, Rebecca Anderson-SUNCO, Charlie Black-OCCIDENTAL, Nancy Pfotenhauer-KOCH IND., Randy Scheuenemann-AMCO…these are just a few of the LOBBYIST running McCains campaign. we all know my friends that Mccain flip flopped on Off shore drilling only AFTER the HESS Foundation contributed money to his campaign…and even more to the RNC. we all know my friends how McCain showed poor and detrimental judgment in going into Iraq. we all know my friends that McCain has the worse absent tee record in the Senate, he has the worst record from Vets and women. we all know my friends that McCain WILL reinstate the draft, go to war with Iran and Russia…we all know my friends that behind all of his LIES, GAFFES, FLIP FLOPS that John McCain is the worst candidate we have seen in a very long time. the fact that he claims the war hero card does not explain why McCain REFUSES to release his Military records. Country First? we dont think so John
@dia…wow, you go!!!!

Brian   August 20th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

Unions are an outdated concept. They served a purpose, but they are no longer needed. New communications, such as the internet, allow workers to communicate with consumers and influence purchasing decisions.

Unions now exist for their own sake, not for the workers they protect. The balance of power has shifted too far to the unions side. Things are not equally balanced.

Free trade is important to the survival of America. NAFTA and other free trade agreements does cause low skil, low wage jobs to leave America. But it creates countless oppotunities for new high paying jobs here in America.

It is our own fault for being too lazy to get educated to take advantage of these new jobs. People have used unions as a crutch for far too long.

Go back to school, get trained, take advantage of our new knowledge worker society.

Its time to grow up America.

Obama #1   August 20th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

If McCain wins, I'm going independent! As a dem and an African American, the party take our votes for granted (see HRC), and the republicans don't even really try. One nice thing I can say about "the Maverick" is that he at least attempted to reach out. Next time they'll both have to do some work.

Rudy NYC   August 20th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

McCain is campaigning to be Commander in Chief.

Obama is campaigning to be President of the United States.

Does that make a difference to you?

Mike, TX   August 20th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

AFL - CIO against McCain. Just one more reason to vote McCain. The AFL-CIO is responsible for most of the problems of the midwestern states' economies.

Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL   August 20th, 2008 2:38 pm ET

Why do you think the idiot threw that support statement into one of his many old man stories during that religious forum the other day. Unions back Obama………period. McCain, gimme a break. 20 some years of doing nothing McSame………….most jobs are gone now. Thanks for caring mcSame………….

Jason, Los Angeles   August 20th, 2008 2:38 pm ET

Thank you, AFL-CIO. McCain has done nothing in his career to help Americans. This is just another example. Let's keep 'em coming till November. McCain is a cog in the machine, and we need to step out of that political mechanism.

Obama 08!

The Bush Twins : George and John   August 20th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Wake up America !!. We can't afford 4-8 mores years of this.

Obama '08

500 REPUBLICANS FOR OBAMA   August 20th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

America wake up MCcain is saying what you want to hear to get elected

Sherry, Atlanta   August 20th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

TRUE FACTS… (1) American Jobs have left, the increase was due to Paying for Iraq War (2) American Money being sent Iraq to Re-build the Country (while our infracture has depleted). . .

WHERE DID COMMON SENSE GO? ? ?

Susan   August 20th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

Some of these posters are a joke. Did they not forget that Obama voted to extend Nafta? They need to look at him (Obama) and what he has voted for before calling other people out. Thank goodness that most voters check the facts before they open their mouths'.

Ken in Dallas   August 20th, 2008 2:37 pm ET

You want to understand global economics? Fine.

When two countries with differing standards of living set up a free-trade protocol, their standards of living tend to equalize, to the benefit of the country that started with a lower standard of living, and to the detriment of the partner that started with the higher.

For us, free trade means lower wages and a lower standard of living. Resistance to the lowering of wages causes jobs to migrate to the country with the lower cost structure consistent with their lower standards.

Any questions?

The Bush Twins : George and John   August 20th, 2008 2:36 pm ET

I pray Americans are not going to fall for McCains lies. A terrible mistake was made in 2004, please stop and think about what you do when its time to vote. If McCain gets put into office, then America will get what it deserves.

Obama '08

Chris, NJ   August 20th, 2008 2:36 pm ET

I'm amazed. John McCain single handedly outsourced 2.3 million jobs to china!! that's god like!!

I'm sure those companies moving factories to China had nothing to do with it at all. In fact McCain carried entire factories across the Pacific, from here in America to China with one hand tied behind his back.

The 2006-2008 democrat congress said this was one of many things that they were going to fix that they just never did. Between not stopping outsourcing, and watching gas prices rise to $4.00 per gallon, I think they can share in the blame. I mean after all, John McCain only carried the factories across the Pacific because it would have cost a fortune for the gas to ship them across.

Give me a break.

bridgette   August 20th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

@Kiss yes they will. I hear them every morning on C-SPAN talking about how they are going to vote for McCain. And alot of these people are the very people who have gotten hurt in the trade process.

@Pat Riot: No one is an idiot. No one is saying McCain is the one person to blame for all of the jobs being lost. But he has supported every policy. And let's face it the only people who have benefitted from these trade deals are stock holders and the CEO. Oh and also the politicians who also represent corporate America because they don't reperesent the average citizen.

The reality of it is being POW does not mean you will be a good President.

indiePA   August 20th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

McBush is only one man, but he may become the leader of one of two political parties in the U.S. Not only are they outsourcing jobs. They are giving away all of the basic technology that made the U.S. a world leader. A recent report indicated that the Chinese are taking the items which they make for companies in the U.S. and having their product development people take that level of technology to the next degree and marketing it under a Chinese brand. They're also giving away the future of our children and grandchildren. Yes, McBush is only one man…..so is the prez and look at how he's managed to drag this country down in 8 lo-ooooo-o-oong years.

Richard J   August 20th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

*sigh*

All you "educated" folks here should be smart enough to know that free trade is GOOD for the economy. Free trade, even with China, is a two way street. We buy from them, they buy from us. Just start putting trade restrictions in place and watch our export numbers fall.

An unmanipulated free market is good for the US and good for the world… i figured you guys would support that in your non-USA centric utopia. . .

Tim, Seattle   August 20th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

This is the 50-state ad strategy at work. These ads (unannounced to the press) are very targeted and go under the radar to all except those states and districts.

Look for these ads to have a slow long-term effect on swing voters who are the 10% undecided in this race. The base voters are pretty much locked in.
Those voters are the key to tipping the toss-ups to Obama.
The presidency will be Obama's if he gets Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Mexico, Iowa. And hes leading in all but 1 right now.
Combine these ads, a good VP choice and take the 'wont vote for Obama' Hill supporters' crowd down from 18% to about 14%, and Barack will have a more comfortable lead.
Also, in my state, the intensity and sustain of the drive to get young voters out this Nov by Obama is in full force. If there is only a bump of 10% of the 18-24's that vote, it will be huge for Obama.
A lot of strategy and many arrows waiting in the quiver of Obama and the campaign

Obama hasnt really begun spending on ads in comparison to McCAin. Look for a post-Olympic ad spend that wil be much more agressive. Look for the ads out of the chute to include the VP choice and look for the hardest hitting ads to come out in force during the GOP convention. Its all in the timing

Obama 08′

Obamalism   August 20th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

WOW, implementing trade aggreements = job losses. That's one hell of a conclusion.

DHL maybe chinese, but uh, I don't see chinese people dropping off packages at my door.

Jobs go overseas because American Unions push them away. That's right, the truth hurts. Unions might offer some protection to the average worker, but it also keeps the productivity down for employers. 10% of the hardworkers carry the load of the 90% that are slackers. Employers are forced to cater to the lowest demominator and the only person that really gains from it is the slackers and the union bosses.

sherry for Obama   August 20th, 2008 2:32 pm ET

I'M A PROUD UNION MEMBER AND I'M VOTING FOR OBAMA.

DONT VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS THEY DONT LIKE UNIONS……THEIR ALL ABOUT BIG BUSINESS

OBAMA FOR JOBS ……….JOBS IN AMERICA FOR AMERICANS!!!!!

Sacto Joe   August 20th, 2008 2:32 pm ET

Senator McCain and the Right Wing Propaganda Machine are continuing their snow job on Joe Sixpack. And it appears that he is buying into it.

More fool him. If , by some stroke of insanity and/or ballot manipulation, this nation elects yet another Republican President, then Joe Sixpack will have no-one but himself to blame as his livelihood disappears.

Armageddan is at the door   August 20th, 2008 2:32 pm ET

McSelf-Interest, there are a lot of issues that you are suspect in. No surprise from someone who is a liar, cheater, unscrupulous, deceitful, arrogant, of low character, untrustful, no morals, a fraud and a self-admitted coward.

So, you'll help the American public, huh? I don't think so. I'm just wondering how much in contributions did they give to your campaign? You seem to be someone who waivers where ever the $$'s take you. I guess if you get elected you'll have the White House for sell to the highest bidder or the greatest contributor. Right, McShameless?

And this guy, of low character, is the one you clowns want to waste your vote on?

LMAO!!

Raymond Duke   August 20th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

Yes I sure want their input. This union has been a major player in causing companies to move out of the United States. To see how good they are for the economy look at Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These are the same ones who say they want to protect American jobs but supported letting illegal Mexicans work in America as long as they could join the Union and pay union dues. I used to belong to this union years ago and I saw then they were doing less and less but still kept raising their union dues. Why do you think states like Texas and southern states are doing well at this time and all them northern corporations are moving down south. They want a decent days work for their bang.

Pablo - Miami   August 20th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

Do you people realize the real cause of this is Bill Clinton and not the republicans!!!

Enlightened Voter   August 20th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

THANKS AFL-CIO!!!! Keep up the great work and just think you didn't even have to sink to the repuglicans low and lie, you just simply told the truth. hahahahahah
And john williams san diego, ca. - don't forget bushy and cheyney and keating 5 (mccainy)

IndependentThinker, NY   August 20th, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Yes
Hit the old fart guy harder and harder!

Frank   August 20th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

These Unions will be all over Obama when he implements his tax plan stategy which will in turn weaken the Unions investments and pension funds. Union workers should do their own homework on this. Unions better think twice about backing Obama.

Dia Akin   August 20th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Yup! And this is the man people want to vote for out of SPITE for a candidate who ran a negative and severly flawed campaign. And you have the audacity to knock Michelle's claim of "for the first time in her life, she is proud of her country." In my 30 years of life, 8 years of service as a United States Marine, I have NEVER been more disgusted with it than they way I am now. I read the comments on here and cant believe that my fellow brothers in arms and I risk our lives to defend such ignorance.

Obama 2008

Broad street buddy   August 20th, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Its nice factual mailer, with actual stats about McCains horrible voting record in the senate with reguards to the American people.

Too bad noone in the media actually reports on his terrible policy stances , everybody at CNN just says 'Its John McCain the Maverick, its ok that his policies do not help out the majority of americans, or that they put our troops in a lose lose situation, because he is a Maverick'

Cafferty is the only one over there that calls it like he sees it.

Rob   August 20th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

oh my gosh, that aggrevates me so much. not McCain made them go over to China it was the greed of the companies for more money and power. don't you guys get it?????

And didn't (i forgot the agency) say that the trade in total created more jobs than destroyed it in the US?
what a garbage, it is sooo easy to blame someone for everything.

Rob

cherrystrawberry   August 20th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

GO GET EM! TAKE OFF THE GLOVES!

Nova from NV   August 20th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

The unions have only themselves to blame for the loss of jobs. They were overzealous for the push for more and more benefits which made running a business nonprofitable in America. They should have pushed fore better work force training and more efficient healthcare system. But I guess blaming it on one man may seemed convenient.

Phil Newton Murphy, Oregon   August 20th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

McCain is a slave to NAFTA, to BIg Oil and to the corporate sellout of America.

Why anyone would vote for this tool is beyond me.

Think.

Vote.

Be heard.

ooops i did it again   August 20th, 2008 2:23 pm ET

D…H…L… thanks John.

Libertine, Ft. Myers   August 20th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

Well if we're going to cast blame for the Chinese trade defiict–we need to place the blame squarely on the shoulders of: Bill Clinton.

He is the one who fought for (with the resources of the capitalist machine) estalishment of China as: "Most Favorite Trading Partner". Whose status has DIRECTLY contributed to the horrible trade deficit we currently are suffering.

But things are looking up!
With unemployment and GDP decreasing–the numbers for exports are looking better. So economists are happy–the rest of us are eating CHINESE Ramen–and praying for the Libertarian Party to win the next election so we won't be further SOLD out for trade/business, entitlements, and the armed forces.

Pat Riot   August 20th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

Haha. Are they serious? One man is to blame for the loss of 2.3 million jobs to China? And that one man is a Republican Senator from Arizona!?! Pfftbahahaha. I wouldn't expect anyone in the AFL-CIO to understand global economics but come on. If someone is offering to do a service cheaper and more efficient wouldn't you go to them? It's why people shop at Wal-mart and not at the cute mom and pop store on the corner. Give me a break. "They took our jobs!".

john williams san diego, ca.   August 20th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

afl-cio and china have one thing in common—corruption

McCain has no original thought in his head.   August 20th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

expose the fruad Mcempty suit for the fool he is.
All for shipping American jobs abroad.
he and his wife have gained millions from selling American jobs.</