Fair Trade Election Roundup

By Katie Russell, Public Citizen (and Global Trade Watch)

Global Trade Watch Did an analysis of the Election in Iowa. Here are their results..

Governor
OPEN SEAT vacated by fair trader Tom Vilsack (D), who had taken his state off of international trade pacts’ harmful procurement rules.
• GOP Representative Jim Nussle is anti-fair trade. “A reliable supporter of Bush’s trade policy” according to The Des Moines Register.
a Chet Culver’s (D) views on trade are unknown.
 
House
Iowa 1: OPEN SEAT vacated by anti-fair trade GOP Rep. Jim Nussle

• GOP Mike Whalen is anti-fair trade: “Rolling back NAFTA and CAFTA [would be a] retreat back to some fantasy Fortress America that never existed. Free trade is adding jobs to Iowa.”

Democrat Bruce Braley is a fair trader. PAID TRADE ADS. Citizens Trade Campaign PAC questionnaire response: “I will oppose any legislation that expands the scope or authority of the WTO without repairing the many flaws in the existing WTO rules. I agree that the profits of transnational corporations should not take priority over the needs of workers, families, health, and the environment. Trade agreements should protect rather than endanger our way of life.” Braley’s ads attack NAFTA, CAFTA etc. Focus on issue as wedge between him and Whalen.

Iowa 2: Incumbent GOP Rep. Jim Leach
• Leach is 100% anti-fair trade. He voted against fair trade 18/18 times.

Dave Loebsack (D) is a fair trader. Loebsack writes, “It is time for fair trade agreements that help open markets abroad and guarantee labor and environmental protections in other countries. The second district of Iowa has suffered dramatically over the years as a result of Republican policies. We know that globalization has led to companies abandoning many communities in this part of the state. Republicans, including the incumbent, have championed free trade pacts that have only made this problem worse. It is time to take stock of the effects of previous free trade agreements and place a moratorium on more such pacts that do not include the necessary labor and environmental provisions.”

Iowa 3: Democratic Rep. Leonard Boswell incumbent• GOP Jeffrey Lamberti is anti-fair trade. “I think a vote against free trade is a vote against the interests of most Iowans.”

Boswell is a reformed bad trade voter who now votes for fair trade. In first terms, voted for China PNTR/other bad trade deals. Opposed Fast Track in 2001 & 2002, CAFTA, Oman FTA. Calls for improved policy to give U.S. farmers fair shake, promote labor standards for workers.