Edwards condemns NAFTA for harming workers and environment, favoring corp insiders....

[Blackhatjack]

Editted to add excerpt

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/06/edwards.clinton.trade.ap/

"CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) -- Democratic presidential contender John Edwards on Monday criticized former President Clinton, arguing that he allowed corporate insiders to shape the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement that has cost U.S. jobs.


Sen. Hillary Clinton refused Edwards' challenge to stop taking campaign contributions from lobbyists. Edwards' complaints about the former president beloved by voters in his own party was a defiant move meant to highlight rival Hillary Clinton's relationship with special interests."

<snip>

"It's time that the president stood up and fought for American workers," Edwards told a crowd of about 300 people at a union hall in Cedar Rapids. "It's time to have a president that always puts the interests of the American people first."

While Edwards' speech did not mention the name Clinton, the object of his complaint was obvious. Edwards criticized the presidential leadership during the 1993 passage of NAFTA, which was started by President George H.W. Bush and pushed through by Clinton. He said the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada was "written by insiders in all three countries."

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Every day Edwards is right on target, raising the level of debate in this country on issues that matter to working people and the poor.

We have a great slate of Democratic Presidential Candidates, but it seems the rest are just not speaking out on the issues that go to the heart of the needs of the American people.

How different this country would be if we had Edwards as our President and we implemented full public financing of federal elections. Corporate influence would really feel the change, and working people would have a voice in the running of their government again.

[madrchsod]

1. nafta-the neo liberals wet dream...

screwed our workers and the mexican farmers...heck of a job billy boy..

[redqueen]

2. He's my favorite of the 'top tier' candidates.

This is why.

[Blackhatjack]

3. The People Who Created NAFTA Has To Know How Bad It Would Be...

... there were no worker or environmental protections at all. The best that could be hoped for would be 'voluntary protections' exerted by the signees. ANd you know how well 'voluntary regulation has worked.'

[bryant69]

4. I like Edwards a lot

I really hope he can take it.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Bluebear]

6. I do too, more and more

He certainly is not backing down from his principles.

[bryant69]

11. I think you might have meant to put a "not" in there. n/t

[Bluebear]

13. Merci. nt

[Blackhatjack]

7. If Edwards is not your first choice, how can you deny he is all over the issues that matter?

Why is Edwards the only Candidate speaking out on these issues?

[bryant69]

10. Edwards is my first choice

I will say that I think that both Obama and Richardson would be good candidates as well, but Edwards is the one I support.

Bryant

[rurallib]

5. I was there - what a speech.

I wanted so badly to jump up and just shout "Thank You". Powerful, powerful speech.

[Blackhatjack]

8. You were there --tell everybody how Edwards comes across in person. He is powerful.

We don't get the chance to see the Candidates actually debate one another. THey each get different questions and there really is no way to compare answers.

[rurallib]

15. As the guy behind me said "he was posititvely presidential today"

Edwards was forceful, coherent and spoke in a strong clear voice. There was no doubt what his message was.
But on the human side, a misbehaving child in the front row got some attention. As the mother started to take the child out Edwards said "She must not be a fan of trade policies. But you don't need to take her out on my account." So human!

[Deep13]

9. Right now he seems like the best of the bunch.

That is the reason why the wealthy elite will never allow him to win. That assumes, of course, that our glorious and noble Caesar decides to step down in January 2009.

[Blackhatjack]

12. Paul Krugman acknowledged that Edwards is the candidate of 'substance' ....

Edwards is speaking to people about their needs and the changes that need to be made to put this country back on the right track.

If other candidates are not speaking on these issues, why not?

A blunt question --"Would you place the interests of the working people first?"

"If not, why would you prefer to look out for the wealthy and corporate interests who have gotten every break for the last 6 years from the Bush Administration?"

Pretty much sums it up.

[Blackhatjack]

14. Edwards continues to hit the right notes with the voters in Iowa...

Paul Begala just said if Edwards wins Iowa he could come out of it perceived as the 'giant killer.'

[OneBlueSky]

16. the more I hear about Edwards, the more I like him . . .

seems he's the closest thing we have to a populist candidate . . . I still prefer Al Gore, but am looking more closely at both Edwards and Wes Clark as alternatives . . . no interest whatsoever in either Clinton or Obama . . .

[WA98296]

17. About time! C'mon Edwards, keep it coming!