McCain defends NAFTA as is
ROUND ROCK, Texas — Republican John McCain said the desire by Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement would jeopardize crucial military support from Canada.
McCain used a town-hall-style meeting Friday at Dell Inc. headquarters to emphasize his support for NAFTA. The effects of the 1994 trade pact are still hotly debated, but studies indicate the deal has resulted in record exports from Texas to Canada and Mexico.
“One of our greatest assets in Afghanistan are our Canadian friends. We need our Canadian friends, and we need their continued support in Afghanistan,” McCain said.
Clinton aides raise bar for Obama
WACO, Texas — Recasting what it would take to keep her campaign alive, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s advisers said Friday that if rival Barack Obama loses any of Tuesday’s four presidential primaries, it would show that Democrats are having second thoughts about him.
In an e-mail and conference call to reporters, Clinton’s campaign sought to raise the stakes for the Illinois senator and laid the groundwork to keep her campaign alive if Tuesday’s results are disappointing.
“They are outspending us at least two to one in Ohio and Texas,” said senior Clinton strategist Howard Wolfson. “If they are unable to win these states, it sends a very clear signal that Democrats want this campaign to continue.”
A loss for Obama in even one of the four states Tuesday would indicate Democrats have developed a case of “buyer’s remorse,” Wolfson said. “It would show that Sen. Obama is having trouble closing the deal with Democrats.”
Texas Sen. Hutchison finds VP slot unappealing
WASHINGTON — Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison emphatically said no to speculation that she may wind up as John McCain’s running mate, and instead is aiming toward a possible 2010 run for Texas governor.
“I don’t want to be vice president,” the Texas Republican said. “I’m going in a totally different direction.”
Talk of Hutchison landing on the Republican presidential ticket escalated after publisher Steve Forbes touted her as a likely choice for McCain.
