Published: 12/8/07, 4:45 PM EDT
By HOLLY RAMER
DERRY, N.H. (AP) - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Saturday he wants to replace the empty promise that NAFTA would create millions of jobs with his own promise to be a tough negotiator on trade deals.

On the 14th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Edwards condemned the deal that lowered trade barriers between the United States and Canada and Mexico, arguing that it has paved the way for a series of deals that put the interests of multinational corporations ahead of working families.

"NAFTA was sold to the American people with promises that it would grow the economy and create millions of new jobs. But today, we know those promises were empty," he said. "In all three countries, it has hurt workers and families while helping corporate insiders."

The former North Carolina senator said more than 1 million American jobs have gone overseas because of NAFTA, and that up to 30 million more could follow in the next decade.

"Those who support it said it was good for America, but there would be 'losers,' which is how they describe middle-class working families who lost their jobs," he said. "Unfortunately, some of those families are families that I know very well."

Edwards, who supports "redoing" NAFTA but not repealing it, said the effects of NAFTA and other trade deals is evident in New Hampshire's north country, where several paper mills have closed in recent years. As president, he said he would pursue trade deals that leave most families better off and that include strong labor and environmental standards.

Edwards also has said he would make enforcing trade laws a greater priority and eliminate tax incentives that encourage U.S. companies to move overseas.

In Derry and at an earlier stop in Concord, Edwards cited NAFTA as an example of what has become the central theme of his campaign - "big corporate powers" getting what they want in Washington at the expense of the middle class.

He also told voters in Derry that those corporate powers are in danger not only of controlling what comes out of government but the election process itself. Responding to a woman who said she resented media conglomerates trying to dictate the outcome of the presidential campaign, Edwards said the concentration of media ownership has become unhealthy for democracy.

"This all goes back to the same problem. Are the big corporate interests in Washington going to decide what's going to happen with your democracy and what's going to happen with your government? You can't let them decide what's going to happen with your elections," he said. "Then, they're not only controlling your democracy, they're controlling your elections."

He reminded the crowd that while the rest of the country may depend on national media for their view of the candidates, New Hampshire voters can judge them in person.

"Are you going to let people in Washington, D.C., tell you who to vote for?"

"No!" several people yelled back.

No! I yell too!!

john edwards is such a clown. Why is he no longer a senator? Oh yeah, he didn't run for re-election 'cuz he stood less than a snowball's chance in hell of being elected. Wonder why he's even bothering to run for President.

Does he scare you?

Perhaps now you would not mind to elaborate intelligently!!

no sh**! i think this guy has the bet chance of runnig the country into the next decade...... he is the least corporate driven canditate (besides Ron paul)....but globalists will win, whethr it be Hillary or Guliana
both bad for us and good for us corporations..... Screw walmart too

Since you are not from NC, I will let Edwards tell you why he chose not to seek reelection to the US Senate!

Edwards, a first-term senator, wrote a letter announcing his decision to N.C. Democratic Party chairwoman Barbara Allen. A copy was obtained yesterday by The Associated Press.

'I also decided that I will not seek re-election to the United States Senate, in order to devote all of my energy to running for president,' Edwards wrote.

Edwards won his first Senate term in 1998 but announced in January that he would run for the presidential nomination. State law allows him to run for president and Senate simultaneously, and state Democratic officials grew restless in recent months while Edwards considered whether to run for one or both.

Edwards' five-paragraph letter to Allen resolves that question and lets other Democratic candidates begin building their campaigns.

NAFTA is such a scam

Yes, I agree, I think NAFTA is a scam against the people of this country and was meant to ruin this Country so that the Zionist one world govt by Zionists could take over easier , when people lose hope, and then they might allow the Communistic United Nations organization under Zionist to take over the World? I think that the People behind NAFTA knew that NAFTA would ruin our economy, by moving business to other countries. I suggest we totally get rid of NAFTA, the PATRIOT ACT, the WAR POWERS ACT and the FEDERAL RESERVE ACT, restore the 13TH Amendment to our Constitution, and support our soldiers, by bringing them ALL HOME NOW!!!!

SMO for president!!

I think it's time for you to construct a new tin-foil hat brother. The current one must be too tight and therefore is cutting off blood flow to your head.
Or perhaps the asylum you're in needs to limit it's patient's access to the internet.

'course not. Clowns don't scare me at all, they make me laugh.

Matt

what about KILLER CLOWNS (insert dramatic music here)

From an economical stand point, I think NAFTA is PIMP. That is my opinion however.

Edwards against NAFTA ...but he is a member of CFR ....empty promises....

Hey, Matt ,

So, who are you pulling for? Just curious.

At least, UNLIKE Hitlery, Edwards gave up his Senate seat in order to devote his time to a Presidential run.

The right man for the job.......John Edwards!

Unless your afraid of changing this country for the better!!

John Edwards voting record on Immigration

# Undocumented workers deserve same rights as American workers. (Sep 2007)
# Allow earning citizenship. (Sep 2007)
# Roadmap to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. (Jan 2004)
# Differentiate terrorists from the immigrants. (Jan 2004)
# Welcome immigrants with earned legalization program. (Jan 2004)
# Hard working immigrants earn right to citizenship. (Sep 2003)

He's got the right idea.

Let the illegals earn their citizenship.

Good call Fanta.

Makes a lot of sense.

Irrelevant!!