Tuesday Primary Voters Worry About Trade—But McCain Doesn’t Get It (& video)

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/02/20/tuesday-primary-voters-worry-about-trade%e2%80%94but-mccain-doesnt-get-it/

by Seth Michaels, Feb 20, 2008

Wisconsin union members and their households made up a strong 35 percent of the Democratic primary turnout, according to exit polls, voting 53­–44 percent for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) over Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). Exit polls were not conducted in Hawaii, yesterday’s other Democratic contest. Overall, Obama netted a 58–41 percent victory over Clinton in Wisconsin and a 76–24 percent victory in Hawaii’s caucuses.

In Wisconsin, Arizona Sen. John McCain continued his path to the Republican nomination, defeating former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee by 55–37 percent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86QwI-6TWic

While Republican voter turnout was slightly more than 400,000 in Wisconsin, Democratic turnout exceeded 1.1 million, continuing a trend we’ve seen throughout the primary season. Clinton got more votes than all the Republicans combined.

Wisconsin voters are clearly concerned about the economy. According to the exit polls, 45 percent of Democratic primary voters said the economy was the most important issue, and 90 percent said the economy was “not so good” or “poor.” A striking 72 percent of Democratic primary voters said trade is taking jobs away from their state.

McCain, the likely Republican nominee, doesn’t understand their concerns.

McCain has made it clear in his record and rhetoric that he subscribes to the same failed trade policies as have been pursued by the Bush administration. In a video interview with the Des Moines Register, McCain describes himself as a “free trader” and says he’s a strong supporter of NAFTA.


FULL story and several links at link above.