Breaking: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story - Update: Video + Adviser Goolsbee Pic/Link

by MediaFreeze, Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:18:09 AM EST

There is now more coming out of CTV on the Obama NAFTA matter.

The Obama campaign told CTV late Thursday night that no message was passed to the Canadian government that suggests that Obama does not mean what he says about opting out of NAFTA if it is not renegotiated.

However, the Obama camp did not respond to repeated questions from CTV on reports that a conversation on this matter was held between Obama's senior economic adviser -- Austan Goolsbee -- and the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago.

Earlier Thursday, the Obama campaign insisted that no conversations have taken place with any of its senior ranks and representatives of the Canadian government on the NAFTA issue. On Thursday night, CTV spoke with Goolsbee, but he refused to say whether he had such a conversation with the Canadian government office in Chicago. He also said he has been told to direct any question to the campaign headquarters.

CTV LINK: Opponents slam Obama after CTV story on NAFTA

Please rec this up, since it is a pretty important development in this evolving story. Still, as I have tried to say throughout today, we need to be careful in our responses to these things. Jumping to conclusions and slinging mud around only gets people in trouble and when future facts come out makes them regret statements made due to their rush to judgement. Let's be measured in our response to this new information.

But just yesterday, one of the primary sources of the story, a high-ranking member of the Canadian embassy, gave CTV more details of the call. He even provided a timeline. He has since suggested it was perhaps a miscommunication.

The denial from the embassy was followed by a denial from Senator Obama.

"The Canadian government put out a statement saying that this was just not true, so I don't know who the sources were," said Obama.

Sources at the highest levels of the Canadian government -- who first told CTV that a call was made from the Obama camp -- have reconfirmed their position.

Who knows what to think of this? Seems like CTV is standing by the story. Wonder what this guy Austan Goolsbee could tell us?

UPDATE: CTV VIDEO Hat tip to Lori!

UPDATE: Named Obama adviser Austan Goolsbee (clickable link to UofC bio)

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

UPDATE: Video Interview with Obama on Ohio WKYC

It did not happen.



Tags: Obama, NAFTA, CTV, Goolsbee (all tags)

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Re: Breaking: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story (2.00 / 4)

Here is the news update tonight .

They are standing by their story tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMpbpov-H cA


When I speak I have a southern drawl.. When you come down here Stop and say hello I'm an American from south of the Mason Dixon line
by lori on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:24:15 AM EST

Re: Breaking: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story (2.00 / 3)

Note the finish to the story.

This is not over yet by a long shot. McCain, for one, is certainly going to continue to push it I bet.


by MediaFreeze on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:33:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Breaking: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story (2.00 / 2)

Looks like Austin isn't denying that a call was made about NAFTA. Interesting that he called the Consul General's Office in Chicago.

Information is the key here and it supports CTV. I doubt Austin will be speaking to anyone. the Obama campaign will make sure of that.


by americanincanada on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:30:32 AM EST

Well I doubt he would tell the truth n/t (1.66 / 3)


Never let the bullies win.
by SluggoJD on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:31:53 AM EST

Re: Well I doubt he would tell the truth n/t (1.66 / 3)

You are probably right. At this point I doubt he would.


by americanincanada on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:33:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well I doubt he would tell the truth n/t (2.00 / 2)

They may have him on tape. They released his name today. That makes it a he said/she said with the principles identified. This seems a big development. Who knows what happens next? Stay tuned...


by MediaFreeze on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:37:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well I doubt he would tell the truth n/t (2.00 / 1)

Okay, what are the troll rates for?


by OrangeFur on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 02:11:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Well I doubt he would tell the truth n/t (none / 0)

Interesting...


by MediaFreeze on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 02:15:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Breaking: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story (2.00 / 3)

Thank you MediaFreeze for your measured and restrained coverage of this.


by OrangeFur on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:38:32 AM EST

Re: Breaking: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story (2.00 / 1)

I'm not sure what to make of all this.

Things I'd tentatively surmise:

Goolsbee is on record as generally supportive of free trade. (Most economists are, I think.) It sounds very much like he did talk to the Canadian Consulate General, or else the campaign would have denied it, right? Of course, this doesn't mean he said that Obama didn't mean what he was saying about NAFTA.

CTV clearly has multiple sources for their side of the story, and they seem to have confirmed their story again today, with one official perhaps hedging a little. This isn't flimsily sourced stuff here.

They also apparently had reason to believe that Goolsbee had talked with the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago. Did they get that from one of their sources? If Goolsbee did talk to them, that would seem to indicate the sources know something of what they're talking about.

The Obama campaign's denial has always struck me as weak, and does not really contradict the CTV story's main assertions.

The Canadian Embassy's denial is stronger, however. Without any reason to think they're carrying water for Obama, I'm not sure how to reconcile their categorical statement with CTV's sources.


by OrangeFur on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:49:49 AM EST

Re: Breaking: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story (2.00 / 2)

Just watched the video that lori linked to...

CTV is standing very firmly here. They even suggested that the Canadian embassy wanted to distance itself from the US election. The suggestion I got was this might be why they may be falsely denying receiving any calls.


by OrangeFur on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 01:57:38 AM EST

Re: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story (none / 0)

 Where is that obambot-in-chief Bob ready to swat any story against the puppet master?? LOL


You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat
by indydem99 on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 08:39:12 AM EST

Thank you, Media Freeze. I am a fan. Your (none / 0)

repeated calls to keep it sane around here seems to fall on deaf hears most of the time. But, as Spock said, "The reward is in the doing." Keep it up...

This is indeed a huge new development. I am anxious to see Hillary's response because if this did happen the way it is panning out, Obama has a lot of 'splainin' to do....


Obama supporter working to defeat McCain.
by Rumarhazzit on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 09:14:34 AM EST

Re: Breaking: More On The CTV Obama NAFTA Story (none / 0)

Obama is an expert dog whistler.  He's done it for years.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com


by Caro on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 10:36:53 AM EST


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