Candidate Obama: Barack Obama promised voters that he would insist on provisions that would spend government money on American-made goods.
From his campaign website: "Barack Obama opposes spending American tax dollars to buy foreign motorcycles for the Secret Service...Obama believes that insisting on these American-made motorcycles isn't 'protectionist' - it's just plain common sense." (BarackObama.com)
President Obama: Now in office, Barack Obama has blocked Buy American provisions for cars, computers, buses, and everything else in the massive stimulus bill.
Screenshot of the Obama Campaign Website:
Obama Camp Unveils "Buy American, Vote Obama" Campaign :
"The Obama camp is pushing a new theme in Pennsylvania tomorrow - it's called the 'Buy American, Vote Obama' campaign...Obama's Pennsylvania campaign, the aide says, will be hitting the ground this weekend in around five towns around the state with stickers and flyers bearing the above 'Buy American, Vote Obama' logo." (Greg Sargent, Obama Camp Unveils "Buy American, Vote Obama" Campaign, 8/15/08)
President Obama Backtracks on Buy American Provisions:
In an interview with the Fox News Channel, one of a flurry of encounters with US television anchors on Tuesday, Mr Obama weighed in on the issue, after the European Union threatened legal action and retaliatory measures if the US proceeded with the "clearly protectionist measures"."I agree that we can't send a protectionist message," Mr Obama said. "I want to see what kind of language we can work on this issue."I think it would be a mistake though, at a time when worldwide trade is declining, for us to start sending a message that somehow we're just looking after ourselves and not concerned with world trade." (Business Day, 2/09/09)
President Obama Backtracks on NAFTA:
Senate Democrats Dilute 'Buy America' Provisions:
The Senate, at the urging of White House officials, agreed Wednesday night to water down some of the “Buy America” provisions in its version of the $900 billion economic stimulus bill.
(David Sanger, "Senate Agrees to Dilute 'Buy American' Provisions," New York Times, 2/05/09)
Obama Wants "Buy American" Provisions Out of the Stimulus:
"Obama Wants 'Buy American' Out Of Stimulus Bill. That's what I'm reading in the transcript of the President's interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson tonight. Obama also concedes that the appearance of a double standard for his nominees is a valid complaint, and he says he takes full responsibility for it. Here's the 'Buy American' portion of the deal: CHARLES GIBSON: A couple of quick questions. There are 'Buy America' provisions in this bill. A lot of people think that could set up a trade war, cost American jobs. You want them out? PRESIDENT OBAMA: I want provisions that are going to be a violation of World Trade Organization agreements or in other ways signal protectionism. I think that would be a mistake right now. That is a potential source of trade wars that we can't afford at a time when trade is sinking all across the globe. CHARLES GIBSON: What's in there now? Do you think that does that? Do you want it out? PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think we need to make sure that any provisions that are in there are not going to trigger a trade war.
And now...He opposes Buy American." (Marc Ambinder, "Obama Wants 'Buy American' Provisions Out of the Stimulus," The Atlantic, 2/3/09)
Dems Stripped "Buy American" Provision for IT Workers:
"Beyond the politics, though, is the substance...Democrats effectively went to bat for those interests who want to be able to offshore the handling of our country's sensitive medical records. It is a foreboding sign tha the free trade fundamentalists are alive, well and ready to legislate inside the Democratic Party."
(David Sirota, "Dems Stripped 'Buy American' Provisions for IT Workers," Open Left Blog, Posted 1/30/09)
