Jackson Free Press

Musgrove revealed old TV footage yesterday showing that Haley Barbour, indeed, supported NAFTA (as if this is in doubt, but Barbour denies it). The statement: "In Mississippi, Barbour tries to cover up his efforts to pass NAFTA, but tape from Barbour's years in Washington tells a different story Musgrove asks Congress to pass legislation to keep Mississippi jobs from going to China. ... (Jackson, MS) Governor Ronnie Musgrove held a press conference this afternoon to talk about Haley Barbour's involvement in the passage of NAFTA. The Musgrove campaign showed a Haley Barbour on C-SPAN talking about working to pass NAFTA and flatly saying "we supported [Clinton] on NAFTA." After NAFTA passed, Barbour held a press conference. During that press conference, when he was asked about trade issues, Barbour launched into a discussion of the passage of NAFTA. He said, "we did what we said we were going to do" What he was referring to was, of course, supplying to votes necessary to pass NAFTA — which he was absolutely successful in doing. Barbour was so proud of this success that he called it a "real, bright light" of that year. Recently, Barbour has tried to cover up his efforts to pass NAFTA, calling the suggestion that he was involved "silly." But tens of thousands of Mississippi jobs moving to other countries is not "silly." Neither are Barbour's efforts to pass NAFTA. Because Mississippi jobs, especially in the furniture industry in Northeast Mississippi, are being threatened by China, Governor Musgrove has expressed his support for S. 1586. This bill, which is co-sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), would authorize tariffs of 27.5% on goods imported, directly or indirectly, from China into the United States. Senator Dole said: "Many of North Carolina's economic woes related to manufacturing can be summed up in one word. One word. And I know you know what it is: China." (News Observer, "Dole blames China for NC trade woes," October 14, 2003). Haley Barbour hasn't proposed any solution to the China problem - he only wants to investigate the issue. The time has come to do more than "investigate." It's time to take action to save Mississippi jobs.

When NAFTA passed, Barbour considered it a "real, bright light" but for thousands of Mississippians, it was a dark day. Bad trade agreements are still threatening Mississippi jobs. In five years, NAFTA will be fully implemented and talks are already underway to expand NAFTA to include South and Central America and the Caribbean. These are ongoing issues and they are not going away. As Governor, I am committed to facing up to these issues and to standing up for Mississippi jobs. It's time to take action against China to save Mississippi jobs. That is why I am urging our Senators to support legislation, like S. 1586, that will help protect jobs.