Regular readers know I am a pragmatist and I believe the fact that Obama’s economic advisor sat down with the Canadian government is in and of itself a problem, no matter what he said. He is not yet the nominee, nor is he the President. Furthermore, what reason could there have been to meet, other than to explain how he was making “campaign rhetoric”, not policy. What happened to the different kind of politics you’ve been selling us Senator Obama? This sounds like the same old politics to me. Bait and switch…I don’t like it, and you’d better fess up and denounce it pretty quick.

“Noting anxiety among many U.S. domestic audiences about the U.S. economic outlook, Goolsbee candidly acknowledged the protectionist sentiment that has emerged, particularly in the Midwest, during the primary campaign,” a consulate staffer wrote, according to AP. “He cautioned that this messaging should not be taken out of context and should be viewed as more about political positioning than a clear articulation of policy plans.”

Obama’s campaign said that Goolsbee described his remarks as being mischaracterized in the Canadian memo. And Stephen Harper, the conservative Canadian prime minister, denied opposition party questioning that accused him of trying to sabotage Obama’s campaign. Harper told the House of Commons that the government, through its embassy in Washington, indicated “its regret at the fact that information has come out that would imply Sen. Obama has been saying different things in public than in private” on NAFTA.

Since the flap began last week, Goolsbee has not responded to calls from the Tribune for comment, and the campaign did not make him available Monday.

Barack Obama takes heat over NAFTA memo, Rezko — chicagotribune.com

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