The RNC: Hillary Clinton On Trade: "Tricky"

After the jump.

Simply stated, Hillary Clinton can not be trusted on trade.





HILLARY CLINTON & TRADE



Hillary Has Said NAFTA Should Be Reassessed And Adjusted And New Free Trade Agreements Should Be Postponed:



“Democratic Presidential Frontrunner Hillary Rodham Clinton Distanced Herself Monday From One Of Her Husband's Signature White House Achievements, Saying NAFTA Should Be Reassessed And ‘Adjusted’ And Any New Free Trade Agreements Postponed.” (Susan Page, “Clinton Seeks To Re-Evaluate NAFTA,” USA Today, 10/9/07)



Bill Clinton Campaigned And Governed On The Strength Of Free Trade:



Bill Campaigned For NAFTA “As If His Life Depended On It.” “Though Clinton did, in fact, inherit NAFTA from the Bush 41 regime, he campaigned for its passage as if his life depended on it, taking on the out-front protectionist bloc in the Democratic party at a time when his standing was far from solid--an act of considerable political courage and even greater political skill. After pushing through the deal, Clinton described it as representing a seminal decision by the country not to retreat from a world in which ‘change is the only constant.’” (John Heilemann, Op-Ed, “Marital Discord,” New York Magazine, 7/16/07)



Former President Clinton: “I believe we have made a decision now that will permit us to create an economic order in the world that will promote more growth, more equality, better preservation of the environment, and a greater possibility of world peace. We are on the verge of a global economic expansion that is sparked by the fact that the United States, at this critical moment, decided that we would compete, not retreat.” (President Bill Clinton, NAFTA Signing Ceremony, 12/8/93)



* Clinton: “Now we must recognize that the only way for a wealthy nation to grow richer is to export, to simply find new customers for the products and services it makes. That, my fellow Americans, is the decision that Congress made when they voted to ratify NAFTA.” (President Bill Clinton, NAFTA Signing Ceremony, 12/8/93)



“One Of The Central Tenets Of Clintonomics Was Its Embrace Of Globalization…” (John Heilemann, Op-Ed, “Marital Discord,” New York Magazine, 7/16/07)



Hillary’s Rhetoric Similar To Sen. John Kerry’s Over Three Years Ago:



Hillary Calls For A “Timeout” To Study Free Trade. “Clinton said NAFTA's benefits have gone to the wealthy and cost jobs for working people. She said a ‘timeout’ in new accords would last until she felt the issue of trade in the 21st century had been adequately studied.” (Susan Page, “Clinton Seeks To Re-Evaluate NAFTA,” USA Today, 10/9/07)



Kerry Pledged That He Would Review Existing Trade Agreements. “John Kerry will also order an immediate 120 day review of all existing trade agreements to ensure that our trade partners are living up to their labor and environment obligations and that trade agreements are enforceable and are balanced for America’s workers. He will consider necessary steps if they are not. And John Kerry will not sign any new trade agreements until the review is complete and its recommendations put in place. He believes all new trade agreements must have strong labor and environmental standards.” (John Kerry For President Website, “International Trade,” www.johnkerry.com, Accessed 1/25/04)



Media Has Picked Up On Hillary’s “Tricky” Free Trade Position:



Hillary’s Position On Free Trade Is “Tricky.” “For Clinton, free trade is a tricky proposition. Her husband is often identified with NAFTA, which as president he ushered into law despite union opposition. And labor is unhappy about successor trade deals ratified under the Bush administration, some with Sen. Clinton's support.” (Peter Nicholas, “On Policies, Clinton Plays It Safe,” The Los Angeles Times, 10/4/07)



Hillary Praises NAFTA In Front Of Free Traders And Slams NAFTA In Front Of Big Labor. “Appearing before free-trade supporters, she [Hillary] has praised the landmark North American Free Trade Agreement, which is loathed by many unions. But speaking to a union audience as a presidential candidate, Clinton said NAFTA hurt workers.” (Peter Nicholas, “On Policies, Clinton Plays It Safe,” The Los Angeles Times, 10/4/07)



* Hillary: “Creating a free trade zone in North America-The largest free trade zone in the world-would expand U.S. exports, create jobs and ensure that our economy was reaping the benefits, not the burdens of globalization.” (Hillary Rodham Clinton, Living History, 2003, p. 182)



* Hillary “I had said that for many years, that NAFTA and the way it's been implemented has hurt a lot of American workers.” (Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), AFL-CIO Presidential Candidates Forum, Chicago, IL, 8/7/07)



“Some People Watching Clinton Believe She Owes The Voters More Answers.” (Peter Nicholas, “On Policies, Clinton Plays It Safe,” The Los Angeles Times, 10/4/07)