Replies

The question is not whether or not we are for or against it, what we are talking about is whether it is a strong issue for democrats to run on. We believe it is because its the type of issue that would appeal to middle America, such as families that lost their incomes to having their jobs shipped overseas. Edwards used this briefly at the end of his primary campaign and it worked.

For the record, I am against outsourcing in general, but understand that making brooms and such can be done elsewhere. I have a big problem with companies sending skilled jobs in technology and manufacturing overseas, especially when many of these companies own lucrative contracts with the US government funded by tax payer dollars.

I can't speak for Sam, but why would someone vote on just one issue? Why would I vote for Kerry? Terrorism will abound if he gets in the WH. Kerry may also pretend that he is against outsourcing, but he could care less about the middle class as the Heinz corporation has 2/3 of its operations overseas.

Both of your replies help, I think, to illustrate my original point. I think trade issues have appeal, but only to those who won't be changing their mind anyway. It's a stump speech issue, reserved for the Tuesday morning breakfast chat with the guys down at the mill. It is not something to hinge a campaign on, certainly not with the foreign policy issues on the table right now.

Rest assured, the Dems will use the issue in certain localities. But they won't hammer it nationally because it's just not a winner. And by saying this, I don't mean to imply that campaigning on "free trade" is a winner. Neither will energize those that matter.