Free Trade Roils Clinton, Obama in Ohio Democratic Primary

Free trade agreements have stirred up populist anger in primary state Ohio, which should have been anticipated by the Democratic presidential candidates. "Criticisms of trade agreements in Ohio are as predictable as praise for ethanol in Iowa," opined the New York Times yesterday.

In jagged tones of dramatic fury, Hillary Clinton waved Obama campaign mailers on a Cincinnati stage on Saturday and admonished, "Enough with the speeches and the big rallies... Meet me in Ohio. Let's have a debate about your tactics."

At a stop in the same state, Obama told a Los Angeles Times reporter that he was puzzled over Sen. Clinton's newfound anger, and observed that his mailers had circulated "for weeks." Obama noted that the delayed timing of Clinton's public rage "makes me think there's somthing tactical about her getting so exercised this morning."

The subjects of the Obama fliers were free trade agreements and universal health care. And I was able to confirm via the Ohio Daily Blog that, indeed, Obama campaign fliers were received by Ohioans almost two weeks ago.

Jeff Coryell blogged on February 13, 2008:

"I just received my first mailer of the presidential race and it's a doozy. 'Only Barack Obama consistently opposed NAFTA,' it declares. 'A little more than a year ago, Hillary Clinton thought NAFTA was a boon to the economy,' it continues (citing a 9/11/06 item in Newsday). And, 'Hillary Clinton was not with Ohio when our jobs were on the line. Why should we be with her now?'"

Sen. Clinton cares about these particular mailers because, per the polls, Obama is unexpectedly closing the gap between he and Clinton in the Buckeye State, which was supposed to be her inpenetrable "firewall." Hillary Clinton must win the March 4th Ohio primary by a wide margin to remain a viable presidential candidate.

In Ohio, which has lost 250,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000, free trade is understandably reviled in many communities. Congress has no bigger opponent of unfettered free trade than Sen. Sherrod Brown, Democrat from Ohio.

And, of course, President Bill Clinton was the proud architect and chief promoter of 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which he regarded as centerpiece legislation of his eight-year administration. (For a quick-reading summary of this vital issue, read Pros & Cons of Free Trade Agreements.)

Frankly, though, the differences between Obama and Clinton on free trade are small, a factor that worries me some about a President Barack Obama. John Edwards was, by far, the strongest Democratic candidate against the ill effects of U.S. free trade.

Read The 2008 Democratic Candidates on Free Trade Agreements for a brief comparison between Obama, Cllinton and Edwards on this issue.

Oh... and the reason why Sen. Clinton covets the size of Obama's rallies is because his lately are... well, many times bigger than hers. Reports the Los Angeles Times:

"Her recent rallies have attracted as many as several thousand. But over the last week, Obama has drawn an estimated 15,000 in Dallas, 18,000 in Houston and 20,000 in Austin."

The bottom line is this: Ohio and Texas are must-win primaries for Hillary Clinton, or she'll likely be forced to concede the party nomination.

Obama is running smart, tough, issues-oriented campaigns in those states, and the Clinton camp is obviously very, very worried.

Sen. Clinton's blazing tirade about Obama "tactics" was no deeper than fear of losing her so-called firewall.

As for Clinton's trash talk about debating Obama about campaign strategies and tactics, Bill and Hillary would be well-advised to avoid that subject. To refresh your memory, see Clinton Draws Party Anger: Is Hillary Playing Fair?

(Above is a symbol of the North America Free Trade Agreement)

Related Reading
Profile of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio
Los Angeles Times, Feb 24, 2008: Angry Clinton Criticizes Obama Ads