John McCain is pushing his free trade support more than any other presidential candidate in history... at the campaign stage.  

No candidate in recent memory has made such broad support for free trade as central to his campaign as McCain. Those presidents who pushed for lowering the barriers to international commerce, Bill Clinton and both George Bushes, were far more ardent free traders once they reached office than they had presented themselves when seeking it.

That's been the worry.  Candidates say nothing about trade, but then support these trade agreements later.  But is it presidential to support them?

"In this environment, it has been a way to differentiate the candidates," said Michael Veseth, professor of international political economy at the University of Puget Sound. "Backing free trade is a presidential thing to do."

Odd comment.  McCain is at least clear.  Obama is leaving his options open talking both sides of the debate ("can't cut off trade, but need different trade agreements).  He opposes the Colombia FTA, but supported Peru.  He supports the best Asian currency manipulation bill currently pending in the Senate.  McCain has not signed on as a co-sponsor.  Obama's most specific statements are that we need labor and environmental provisions in new trade agreements.  Weak tea.  But at least it is some tea.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment

Name

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment Preview