Obama ad: Buy American? Not McCain
Posted: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 10:26 AM by Domenico Montanaro
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From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Harley riders favor McCain, right (as evidenced by his stop at Sturgis)? The Obama campaign wants those riders -- and American workers -- to reconsider.
In a new radio ad, called "Motorcycle," Obama camp asserts that despite his Sturgis speech, McCain doesn't care about Harleys or American manufacturers.
"But when it comes to his record, American-made motorcycles like Harleys don’t matter to John McCain," a somber announcer says. "Back in Washington, McCain opposed a requirement that the government buy American -- made motorcycles."
The ad takes it a step further... "And he said all Buy American provisions were quote 'disgraceful.' Surprised? You shouldn’t be. This is the same John McCain who supported billions in tax breaks for companies who ship American jobs overseas."
Hard to tell the truthfulness. It'll have the fact checkers working.
*** UPDATE *** The Obama campaign passes along the following research backing up the ad:
This is one of several examples the campaign passes along of McCain being against "Buy American" provisions:
- "Lastly, I am also disappointed that the bill once again this year contains a Department-wide 'Buy America' requirement, and specific language directing the Secret Service to purchase American-made motorcycles. I firmly object to all 'Buy America' restrictions, as they represent gross examples of protectionist trade policy. From a philosophical point of view, I oppose such policies because free trade is an important element in improving relations among all nations, which then improves the security of our Nation. Furthermore, as a fiscal conservative, I want to ensure our Government gets the best deal for taxpayers and with a 'Buy American' restriction that cannot be guaranteed." [Congressional Record, 7/14/05]
The Obama camp also backs up its claim that McCain "supported billions in tax breaks for companies who ship American jobs overseas" with the following:
- McCain voted against an amendment to repeal tax incentives for domestic companies that move their manufacturing plants to offshore locations. The amendment would have used the resulting revenue to reduce the federal deficit by $3.2 billion from 2006 to 2010. [SCR 18, Vote 63, 3/17/05; Failed 40-59: R 0-54; D 40-4; I 0-1]
- McCain voted against partially repealing a tax deferral regulation for U.S. multinational companies by requiring those companies to pay federal income taxes on foreign factories when goods are re-imported back into the United States. Employers also would be required to notify employees and the Labor Department when jobs will be moved offshore, including the number of jobs affected, the relocation destination of those jobs and the reason for the relocation. [S 1637, Vote 83, 5/5/04; Passed 60-39: R 51-0; D 8-39; I 1-0]
- McCain voted against amendment to create a reserve fund that would allow increases of up to $24 billion for fiscal 2005 through 2009 for employment initiatives including tax credits for companies that create new U.S.-based manufacturing jobs and small businesses that provide health care coverage. [SCR 95, Vote 41, 3/11/04, Failed: 41-53: R 0-49; D 40-4; I 1-0]
Part of Obama's trade platform, he has said, is to give tax breaks to companies that keep their operations in the U.S. He has said he would try to amend NAFTA to include stricter labor standards.
McCain is a free trade advocate.
We will update with McCain camp's response.
