camp030408.box
On the homepage
Vikings
Out There
Pardon Board
Petters
Home | Politically Connected | National Politics | President
Obama: NAFTA words not just 'positioning'
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from President
Barack Obama said Monday his campaign never gave Canada back-channel assurances that his harsh words about the North American Free Trade Agreement were for political show -- despite the disclosure of a Canadian memo indicating otherwise.
According to the memo, Obama's senior economic adviser Austan Goolsbee told Canadian officials at a Feb. 8 meeting in Chicago that the debate over free trade in the primary campaign was "political positioning." Goolsbee said his comments were misinterpreted.
In Texas, Obama said: "Nobody reached out to the Canadians to try to assure them of anything."
Hillary Rodham Clinton said Obama's campaign gave the Canadians "the old wink-wink."
A PRIMER FOR TODAY
Here are some factors to watch for in today's race:
Clinton's survival: Will the results prod Clinton to end her effort? Should Obama sweep all four contests, her hopes will be extinguished. Should she carry Ohio and Texas, she will no doubt fight to the next big battle, on April 22 in Pennsylvania. Trickier would be a split decision, in which Clinton won Ohio, for example, but lost Texas. Because of the way Texas allocates delegates, it is possible that Clinton could win the popular vote but lose to Obama on delegates.
Early totals could be definitive: In many elections, the first precincts reporting vote totals do not mean much. But the first returns in Texas, where all polls close by 8 p.m. CST, may count a lot. That is because they will represent "early voting" from before Election Day, which could make up one-third of the turnout.
Allegiances: In Texas, Clinton wants the Hispanic constituency -- which could be 40 percent of the vote -- that has favored her to loom as large as possible. In Ohio, the key is how much women dominate the electorate.
For Obama, critical constituencies include young voters and blacks. He is counting on heavy turnout in university towns such as Austin, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio.
NEWS SERVICES
Recent President stories
Obama proposes adding seats to Consumer Product Safety Commission, nominates new chairman - March 3, 2008
Obama proposes adding seats to Consumer Product Safety Commission, nominates new chairman - President Barack Obama is turning to South Carolina's former school superintendent to head an expanded Consumer Product Safety Commission, an embattled agency that has been criticized by advocates for being too cozy with industry. More
The Whistleblower blog has moved
The Star Tribune is still blowing the whistle, but our look and location have changed. Click here to get to the new blog. If you want the actual URL, it’s www.startribune.com/blogs/whistleblower.html. Our blog posts will now be easier to search on the web site, but you’ll need to register to post a comment. In the [...]
Recent posts
 Find Your Next HomeSearch realtor represented & for sale by owner homes in the Twin Cities. Plus, find open house listings. |
Win tickets to Erik Friedlander's 'Block Ice & Propane' in McGuire Theater at Walker Art Center.Vita.mn presents Erik Friedlander's 'Block Ice & Propane' in McGuire Theater at Walker Art Center on Dec. 5. |
Comment on this story | Read all 2 comments | Hide reader comments