Edwards jabs at former President Clinton

[IDemo]

By AMY LORENTZEN, Associated Press Writer 5 minutes ago

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Democratic presidential contender John Edwards on Monday criticized former President Clinton, arguing that he allowed corporate insiders to shape the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement that has cost U.S. jobs.

Edwards' complaints about the former president beloved by voters in his own party was a defiant move meant to highlight rival Hillary Rodham Clinton's relationship with special interests. It comes two days after Clinton refused Edwards' challenge to stop taking campaign donations from lobbyists, saying many represent good causes.

"It's time that the president stood up and fought for American workers," Edwards told a crowd of about 300 people at a union hall in Cedar Rapids. "It's time to have a president that always puts the interests of the American people first."

While Edwards' speech did not mention the name Clinton, the object of his complaint was obvious. Edwards criticized the presidential leadership during the 1993 passage of NAFTA, which was started by President George H.W. Bush and pushed through by Clinton. He said the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada was "written by insiders in all three countries."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070806/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_trade;_ylt=ArfUZTur44WbbmwxBjZr2NOs0NUE

[MrCoffee]

1. well, he's right.

personally, i love St. Bill, but the two biggest stains on his otherwise remarkable presidency, in my meaningless opinion, are NAFTA and non-involvement in Rwanda.