Add Some Zip to Your Web Site!

Add Some Zip to Your Web Site! Have your own web site? Pick up a web sticker to direct your readers to information on legislation, congressional votes, candidates, elections, and more! Just choose your favorite sticker, and copy the code for easy installation.

E-mail this story to a friend Have comments? Send them to the editor. Printer Friendly Version Subscribe for Free!

Page 2 of 2

On Tuesday, dozens of people at McCain's town-hall style forum booed as he raised the notion of a meeting with Castro, and they gave McCain a standing ovation when he said that, as president, he would pressure Castro to release political prisoners unconditionally, schedule internationally monitored elections, and legalize political parties, unions and free media.

McCain also criticized Obama for shifting his stance on the trade embargo against Cuba; Obama said in 2003 he would lift it but has hardened his position slightly to say he would ease it. McCain argues trade should not be normalized until the basic freedoms he outlined are granted.

Marking the Cuban independence day, May 20, McCain visited Miami's Little Havana, stopping at Casa del Preso, or the house of the prisoner, which helps unite Cuban political prisoners, and Versailles Restaurant, where an aide got him takeout Cuban sandwiches.

He expects to do well among Cubans and other Hispanic voters in Florida in part because of his support for a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, although he says he has concluded the border must be secured before the government can resolve their citizenship.

Obama and Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton are scheduled to campaign Wednesday in Florida, underscoring the state's electoral importance.

McCain also criticized Obama for opposing a free trade deal with Columbia that could benefit Florida's agriculture and manufacturing industries. The pact, blocked by Congress, would eliminate high barriers facing American exports to Columbia. Most Colombian products already enter the U.S. duty-free.

In an interview with local reporters on his campaign bus, McCain said Obama ''is a tool of organized labor ... He's been against (trade agreements with) Colombia, South Korea and several others. That's what labor unions want, no free trade agreements.''

>> Back -- Page 1 2

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

++ Discuss this topic in The Forum

Current rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 (4 total votes)