It seems that the original “optimism” was based on comments in an interview that Senator Clinton gave and speculation that her union supporters may have been more protectionist than Senator Obama’s union supporters while discounting what Obama actually campaigned on with the “hope” that he would abandon it once he was actually elected.

As far as whether it should “alarm” those of us who favor greater trade liberalization efforts, the answer is “no” because we already knew, despite claims to the contrary from those who thought that Barack Obama was whatever they wanted him to be, that Obama’s a statist in his economic views and we didn’t expect him to suddenly change if he was elected President with a Congress controlled by his own party that shared those same views.

Government alarms free traders. The end.

"Free trade" is just a label use to designate the bundle of corporate subsidies we want people to like, as opposed to the bundle we want people to dislike. No one in politics favors any real sort of free trade, so I'm certainly not going to freak out because Obama wants one bundle and other people want a different bundle.

"Government alarms free traders. The end."

Best response ever. It's funny because it's true.

We are in the worst recession in possibly seventy years. Free trade, of the sort which has prevailed over the last twenty years has not softened the blow. Indeed if not for a few trillion U$D in bailouts around the globe this would already be another great depression. But if you happy, then glum, then plotting for your return to power free traders were in charge none of these mega government interventions would have been possible. Free Trade is a misnomer. It's not trade, it's an uber rich special interest group heavily addicted to idealogical bubble gum. And for the majority of "folks" its expensive as hell. As far as Obama goes- who knows at this point? The real concern is that the people who brought about this mess will probably continue to run the country from their toxic country clubs. This blog sux. The end.

Yeah...after socializing the entire banking and financial industry, like free trade is going to be able to save us...

don juan-

Free trade, of the sort which has prevailed over the last twenty years has not softened the blow.

It probably delayed the crash somewhat. And things would probably be worse without it. Of course the crash is largely the result money and credit creation by the Federal Reserve, not free trade.

Indeed if not for a few trillion U$D in bailouts around the globe this would already be another great depression.

Unfortunately the bailouts are likely to make things worse. The only engine of wealth and job creation is the private economy. Putting it into more debt and the future taxation that the debt entails isn't going to help it create wealth and jobs. The other solution is for the Fed to print its way out of the debt, which is even worse.

It's not trade, it's an uber rich special interest group heavily addicted to idealogical bubble gum.

I don't know about that. I don't see people being strongarmed into buying foreign cars, electronics, etc. People buy those products because they are good, cheap, or both.

And for the majority of "folks" its expensive as hell.

Not nearly as expensive as the high tax rate and high inflation (the additional hidden tax rate).

The only engine of true wealth and job creation is the private economy. The only way to help it create more societal wealth and jobs is to lower the main drag on it, which is taxes. This has to be done without going into debt, so tax cuts have to be paired with spending cuts. Arguing about government spending without an overall lowering of that spending is pretty futile, because you are leaving the drag of taxes in place.

Well, OK. Since no else will say it, here goes:

In Russia, free traders scare Obama.

Free trade - Santa Claus - Easter Bunny - Martians - ain't. The end.
Original, hey?