Buckeye State Blog - Ohio Union Officials have Questions for Obama - Comments

Yes I agree

brightlight — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:13:40 -0700

Obama is clear on NAFTA. Clearly a liar more news at 6!!!!

I think Hillary and Obama are clear on Nafta

netgui68 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:54:09 -0700

Both of them support Nafta but recognize a need to change the rules so that it is fair to both sides, of course it is fair to mention that Hillary has done a complete about face on her position since running for President. America needs to be able to compete on a level playing field.

Hillary's new found position on NAFTA

netgui68 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:47:16 -0700

Actually it looks like Hillary has been for NAFTA but has decided to change her position in order to get votes. Here is a good article in the huffington post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/hillary-clinton-pretends-_b_86747.html

Seems like the have more to ask him NOW

brightlight — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:58:49 -0700

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2008/03/03/obama_memo.html?sid=101

The NAFTA story just keeps changing. Now there was a meeting and what a surprise a memo! Clearly the CTV had this thing right.

Then the Unions should directly ask the Obama campaign instead

sam dobermann — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 05:11:47 -0700

of posting this rumour in every single blog they can find. Nice try by Hillary's pet union guys.

This is a significant issue

brightlight — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:24:38 -0700

Obama cannot afford to blow off unions even those who currently support Clinton if he is to win the GE. Besides this deserves a full and complete answer from the campaign as well as Goolsbee.

Tom Buffenbarger of the

MacyDayton — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:23:17 -0700

Tom Buffenbarger of the International Association of Machinists (IAM):

"Which is it, Senator Obama? Are you pro-NAFTA, or anti-NAFTA?” asked Buffenbarger. “If Senator Obama is really an anti-NAFTA candidate, he will repudiate Austan Goolsbee and his message to the Canadian government. And he should do so before Ohioans and Texans vote.”

http://www.goiam.org/content.cfm?cID=12537"

Ohio Union Officials have Questions for Obama

MacyDayton — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:01:41 -0700

March 1, 2008

Dear Senator Obama:

We were surprised and disappointed to learn that your top economic adviser reportedly had a secret meeting with a representative of the Canadian government where he dismissed your anti-NAFTA rhetoric.

According to Canadian news outlets, your adviser, Austan Goolsbee, told the Canadian Counsel General Georges Rioux that your criticism of NAFTA is "just politics" and should not be taken seriously.

After a series of misdirections and half-truths, it’s time for you to come clean about your campaign’s communications with the Canadian government about NAFTA. Enough with the non-denial denials and the Washington double-speak.

Many Ohioans are concerned about the issue of trade and we want answers to some simple questions:

1) Did you direct your top economic adviser - Austan Goolsbee - to tell the Canadian government that your speeches railing against NAFTA are just political rhetoric? If so, why?

2) Are you aware that Mr. Goolsbee held a secret meeting with the Canadian Counsel General Georges Rioux? Have you spoken with Mr. Goolsbee about that meeting and will you repudiate his comments?

3) Why has Mr. Goolsbee been unwilling to deny that he discussed your positions on NAFTA with Mr. Rioux? Why won't your campaign disclose the full details about that meeting?

4) Given these reports, why should Ohioans believe that you will act on the campaign promises you have made about NAFTA?

5) Sen. Clinton has issued a comprehensive plan to fix NAFTA. Why haven't you done so as well?

The people of Ohio are eager to hear from you - there’s too much at stake.

Sincerely,

Gary Dwyer, Secretary-Treasurer, Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council

Barry Pickett, Business Representative, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 24