I can't tell anymore. Like his position on Iraq, it seems to change with who his audience is. Cue the Obamanaut response: "all politicans do this! Therefore it's perfectly fine." *Sigh*

June 2008

Quote :

"In an interview with Fortune to be featured in the magazine's upcoming issue, the presumptive Democratic nominee backed off his harshest attacks on the free trade agreement and indicated he didn't want to unilaterally reopen negotiations on NAFTA."

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/18/magazines/fortune/easton_obama.fortune/?loc=interstitialskip

Feb. 2008

Quote :

"MR. RUSSERT: Senator Obama, you did in 2004 talk to farmers and suggest that NAFTA had been helpful. The Associated Press today ran a story about NAFTA, saying that you have been consistently ambivalent towards the issue. Simple question: Will you, as president, say to Canada and Mexico, "This has not worked for us; we are out"? SEN. OBAMA: I will make sure that we renegotiate, in the same way that Senator Clinton talked about. And I think actually Senator Clinton's answer on this one is right. I think we should use the hammer of a potential opt-out as leverage to ensure that we actually get labor and environmental standards that are enforced. And that is not what has been happening so far. That is something that I have been consistent about. I have to say, Tim, with respect to my position on this, when I ran for the United States Senate, the Chicago Tribune, which was adamantly pro-NAFTA, noted that, in their endorsement of me, they were endorsing me despite my strong opposition to NAFTA."

http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=10457266

[Edited on June 20, 2008 at 6:57 PM. Reason : ``]

[Edited on June 20, 2008 at 6:58 PM. Reason : ``]

6/20/2008 6:56:57 PM

something something socialism?

6/20/2008 8:08:57 PM

I think that he has absolutely presented his position on NAFTA in differing ways to differing audiences, and I'd probably care more about it if I cared more about NAFTA.

Quote :

"In the upcoming edition of Fortune magazine, Obama appears to soften his position even more. "I'm not a big believer in doing things unilaterally," he said in the interview, referencing his plan to discuss the free trade deal with Harper. "I'm a big believer in opening up a dialogue and figuring out how we can make this work for all people." Obama added he did not dispute "there may have been some modest aggregate benefit in terms of lowering prices on consumer goods" because of NAFTA. On the campaign conference call Friday, Brown insisted there were no inconsistencies in Obama's position, and that the Democratic candidate would reopen negotiation on the trade deal early in his first White House term. "You don't do these things unilaterally, of course, you sit down with your neighbours," Brown said. "I am absolutely confident that Barack Obama will reopen the negotiations on NAFTA. I have been assured by him and his top economic advisers there is no question his position is constant and will stay that way on the North American Free Trade Agreement.""

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=6c67991a-7d83-45b3-bb6a-9eb2ed6abab6
(for whatever that's worth)

Similar talk from the article you posted from CNN, (Obama conceding the point)

Quote :

""Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified," he conceded, after I reminded him that he had called NAFTA "devastating" and "a big mistake," despite nonpartisan studies concluding that the trade zone has had a mild, positive effect on the U.S. economy. Does that mean his rhetoric was overheated and amplified? "Politicians are always guilty of that, and I don't exempt myself," he answered. Obama says he believes in "opening up a dialogue" with trading partners Canada and Mexico "and figuring to how we can make this work for all people.""

6/20/2008 8:26:49 PM

I would assume he will take the most politically advantageous position that is offered him by his advisors... just like McCain. Neither of them is idealistic. Although Barry at least talks the talk. Campaign finance wise we see he can or will not walk the walk. And then McCain is for drilling off shore now, how quaint. Hardly consistent with his anti-modern living cap and trade proposals. So, I suppose I am just left hoping that the polls agree with whatever I believe. The shifting winds of popular thought are the only thing that both of these political devils consistently buy into.

I mean its great when the wind blows my way, but its hardly a comfort when I want a leader who will stand on principle polls be damned. That is part of my respect for Bush, he may not be nearly as economically conservative as I'd like and I do not support the war entirely as it has been advertised. But the man stands on principle. I admire that.

6/20/2008 9:06:58 PM

Do remember on a related note that he did vote against CAFTA

6/20/2008 9:36:13 PM

I'd like to know what is his stance on LAFTA

6/21/2008 3:44:25 AM

The history books will say...

"They were so easy to lead. If their rulers didn't want them to understand something important, they abbreviated the title, then characterized it as something difficult to understand and boring to discuss."

[Edited on June 21, 2008 at 6:32 PM. Reason : ...]

6/21/2008 6:31:35 PM

ZOMG USA PATRIOT ACT

6/21/2008 6:59:21 PM

His position wont even matter this election, NAFTA isnt an issue this election:

Because both people running have the exact same stance on it . . and that is to do absolutely nothing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTfcAyYGg

[Edited on June 23, 2008 at 6:23 PM. Reason : RIP George Carlin]

6/23/2008 6:19:42 PM

Obama stands nowhere on anything. Typical democrat

6/23/2008 9:00:14 PM

its easily summed up

if you support it, then he supports it

but if you don't support, he doesn't support it either

Obama '08!!!11

hoping for change gets shit done

6/23/2008 9:08:08 PM

Quote :

"i believe hoping for change gets shit done"

6/23/2008 9:12:07 PM