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The early presidential primaries engaged the trade debate more than
ever. We learned that McCain is a wacko free trader. We
learned that Romney favors the Peru, Columbia, South Korea and Panama
Free Trade agreements, but he was at least able to say trade must be
fair both ways. Huckabee believes in fair trade and a consumption
tax. We learned Obama and Clinton favored Peru, and Clinton
opposed the other three pending FTA's. Clinton also called for a
moratorium on trade agreements. I don't know exactly what that
means, but its certainly a good idea.
Edwards forced the issue for the Dems. Hunter forced the
issue for the R's. Both Hunter and Edwards are now out, and the
other candidates won't have to bring up trade.
The message is
simplified, and less relevant. These are now the caricatured slogans and attacks. Obama (change or inexperience),
Clinton (experience and less/no change), McCain (strength, straight
talk, not a conservative), Romney (true conservative, changes too
much), Huckabee (religious/social conservative, too populist).
Yesterday,
McCain dominated, getting 559 delegates. Romney probably did not
underperform the polls, but could not achieve the "true conservative"
designation for the party. He received 265 delegates.
Huckabee did surprisingly well, but still received only 169 delegates.
Clinton
and Obama essentially tied. She received 783 delegates to his
709. Obama seems to have the momentum. Very large prior
week poll changes swung Obama's way. Some California polls had
the two tied, but Clinton won there retty easily. However, probably
one-half the California vote included absentee ballots cast early, prior to the
Obama momentum.
Voters need to keep raising the issue of trade, farmers, jobs and businesses. Day in and day out.
UPDATED - Delegate count, updated at the end of the day.
Clinton - 845; Obama 765 - difference of 80
McCain - 613; Romney - 269; Huckabee - 190
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