Morning Update: Trade Populism on Tour
The Washington Post hears echoes of John Edwards’ populism on trade issues during recent campaigning by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in Texas, Ohio, and Rhode Island. It is part of an effort to reach working class voters who see free trade moves of the past two decades as responsible for the loss of better-paying jobs. Big primaries loom March 4 in Texas and Ohio. Clinton’s chief challenger, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), has answered her campaigning by linking her to support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, which many workers blame for hurting their livelihood. NAFTA was approved after a push by the Clinton administration (WSJ) in the 1990s.
FactCheck.org looks at Obama campaign mailings attacking Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) on her NAFTA record.
Nader: Ralph Nader, a longtime Washington consumer advocate, announced he will join the U.S. presidential race as an independent candidate. On Meet the Press Sunday, Nader said he is running to “elaborate” on issues that he thinks the mainstream candidates are not adequately addressing, “from Iraq to Palestine/Israel,” among others. Reuters reports Nader’s candidacy could draw votes from Democrats in the race, as has happened in previous elections where Nader has run.
Puerto Rico: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) won the 20 GOP delegates (AP) at stake in Puerto Rico Sunday. McCain last week said he supports “self-determination” for Puerto Ricans as to their status as a U.S. commonwealth.
Israel: In Cleveland Sunday, Obama attempted to alleviate concerns among pro-Israel voters about his position on U.S.-Israel relations. “Israel’s security is sacrosanct, is non negotiable,” he said.
Eyes on America: A new Daily Analysis surveys global opinion on the U.S. elections, noting rapt attention the world over.
