What do DK, JE, Nader & the TX GOP have in common?

[rucky]

1) They're all against NAFTA/WTO
2) None of them are the presumptive DNC Nominee

This is sort of a dupe from Taeger's post in P&C http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=110576 , but it's too important to ignore:

The free traders in our party may be getting a jab from the left that they could ignore, but the opposition could turn this issue into a right-hook against our frontrunner.

Things to consider:

Bush could very easily reverse his position on free trade agreements - if only through "compassionate" lip service and empty symbolic action. This would galvanize support from the old-school conservative base. Bush has already had to reinstate steel tariffs & talk tough to China to cool the anger from the Buchanan wing of the GOP, so the possibility of a reversal is realistic:

Per Taeger's post, The TEXAS GOP has put "free trade" reform on their agenda. link: http://www.txdemocrats.org/gopplatform2002.htm

(snip)
We support business opportunity and oppose the previous Democrat administration’s advocacy of intrusive government-industry partnerships based on foreign models. We urge the repeal of NAFTA, GATT, and any other international trade agreements that do not promote free trade, and withdrawal from membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
(end snip)

Sound familiar? This is what Ralph Nader called for in his third-party bid in 2000. This is also the primary issue that got people voting Green back then. Now that Nader has thrown his hat into the ring again, what's to keep the Greens from repeating their performance this election? Especially if the GOP shifts their position - they have less to lose by such a move.

PLEASE consider this issue carefully. We still have a chance to do something about it. Right now we risk losing yet another winning issue in our quest to capitulate with the corporate powers that be. This issue alone could do serious long-term damage to the Democratic party - and to the world economy.

[HFishbine]

1. JE?

Where? When? His position is the same as DK's?

[rucky]

2. The jury's still out on Edwards

but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. I haven't heard it from him myself, but there's been talk of his shifting position.

[HFishbine]

4. Seems to me

Edwards' position on trade is more like Dean's than DK's:

EDWARDS: Stop the global "race to the bottom" by creating fair trade deals. Edwards will support strong and enforceable labor and environmental standards in trade laws. He has opposed trade deals like NAFTA because they don't have these standards and hurt workers both in the United States and abroad.

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=652

DEAN: Trade agreements must be fair. Specifically, they must include clear and enforceable requirements on fundamental labor standards, and Governor Dean supports basing them on the five core labor rights of the International Labor Organization (ILO):

- freedom of association,
- right to collective bargaining,
- abolition of forced or compulsory labor,
- elimination of child labor, and
- non-discrimination in employment.

Strong and enforceable standards need to be integral elements of trade agreements themselves, not side agreements, and the agreements must provide for meaningful technical assistance to developing countries when needed to ensure their implementation and enforcement.

Our trade agreements should also incorporate environmental standards. To persuade other countries to adopt higher standards, the US will have to restore its role as a global leader by once again becoming an active member of the international environmental community. Governor Dean believes that we must demonstrate real leadership on environmental matters such as global warming, forest loss, and overfishing, which present major threats to the world community.

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/cg/index.html?type=page&pagename=policy_statement_economy_trade_environmentalstandards

[AP]

6. Shift from what? He ran his senate campaign as anti-NAFTA. The DLC hates

him because he won't vote for NAFTA bills when they hurt American labor.

David Bonior in MI endorsed him because of his position on NAFTA.

[rucky]

7. reform or pull out?

what's his position?

[Tinoire]

3. Shhh. That's an issue. Not allowed totalk about it.

We prefer Botox, lip service & lies.

[rucky]

5. How'd you know I'd have to *kick*?