In an interview on the campaign trail, Kerry said, "We have the same policy on trade. Exactly the same policy. He voted for the China Trade Agreement. So did I."
Several Kerry advisors have echoed this sentiment, but do Kerry and Edwards really have the same policy on trade?
They have shared 5 years in the Senate. When it came to trade, their voting record differs in a few spots:
Fast-Track Authority for Bush: (Kerry Yea, Edwards Nay)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00207Trade with Singapore: (Edwards Nay, Kerry was campaigning)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00318Trade with Chile: (Edwards Nay, Kerry was campaigning)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00319Trade with Africa and Caribbean: (Kerry Yea, Edwards Nay)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00098They both voted for PNTR for China:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00251...but they disagreed on this amendment:
"To require that the Congressional-Executive Commission monitor the cooperation of the People's Republic of China with respect to POW/MIA issues, improvement in the areas of forced abortions, slave labor, and organ harvesting, and for other purposes." (Edwards Yea, Kerry Nay)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00249...also on this amendment:
"To require the Secretary of Commerce to consult with leaders of American businesses to encourage them to adopt a code of conduct for doing business in the People's Republic of China." (Edwards Yea, Kerry Nay)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00244...and this amendment:
"To improve the certainty of the implementation of import relief in cases of affirmative determinations by the International Trade Commission with respect to market disruption to domestic producers of like or directly competitive products." (Edwards Yea, Kerry Nay)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00240...and this one:
"To require the President certify to Congress that the People's Republic of China is in compliance with certain Memoranda of Understanding regarding prohibition on import and export of prison labor products and for other purposes." (Edwards Yea, Kerry Nay)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00238...then there's this one:
"To require the United States to support the transfer of United States clean energy technology as part of assistance programs with respect to China's energy sector, and for other purposes." (Edwards Yea, Kerry Nay)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=106&session=2&vote=00235So while Kerry is a free trader, Edwards has voted against several trade agreements. When the Senate tried to put in amendments to the China bill to protect human rights, worker standards, and environmental protections, Edwards voted for them while Kerry voted against them.
Do you believe Kerry when he says, "We have the same policy on trade. Exactly the same policy?"