PITTSBURGH -- Sen. Barack Obama on Monday questioned Democratic rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's opposition to free trade agreements that some voters contend has eliminated thousands of U.S. jobs, and mocked her weekend visit to a bar as pandering to the working class.
Obama and Clinton both gave speeches at the same event Monday -- a forum about trade and manufacturing job losses, sponsored by the Alliance for American Manufacturing Association at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Obama's Speech At Convention Center"Around election time, the candidates can't do enough for you," Obama said during his speech. "They'll promise you anything, give you a long list of proposals and even come around, with TV crews in tow, to throw back a shot and a beer."
He was referring to Clinton's campaign stop Saturday in Crown Point, Ind.,
where she drank a shot at a restaurant.
Also, Obama chided Clinton over NAFTA and the Colombian trade deal.
"Here's what you can't do. You can't spend the better part of two decades campaigning for NAFTA and PNTR for China, and then come here to Pennsylvania, and tell the steelworkers you've been with them all along," Obama said. "You can't say you are opposed to the Colombia Trade deal, while your key strategist is working for the Colombian government to get the deal passed."
Obama proposed "investing $150 billion over the next 10 years in the green energy sector, and create up to 5 million new jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced."
Obama said on Monday that he is still haunted by the image of Illinois steel mills victimized by the steel industry collapse in the 1980s.
“When a plant shuts down, it's not just the workers that pay a price, it's the entire community,” he said.
Obama told those attending the event that Washington lobbyists continue to influence trade agreements and tax polices that weaken American manufacturing jobs by affecting trade agreements and tax policies.
“Because special interests have bought every seat around the table,” he said. “That's not the way our democracy is suppose to work. That's not the American you believe in. That's why when I'm president I'm going to make sure that Washington serves no one's interest but the people's interest. That's why I'm running for president of United States of America.”
Later in the morning, Clinton took the stage at the convention center and responded to the NAFTA remark.
Clinton's Speech At Convention Center"As smart as my husband is, he does make mistakes," she said, referring to former President Bill Clinton, who pushed for that trade agreement during his time in office.
Sen. Clinton said she would fix problems that have led to job losses, or would tell Canada and Mexico the United States is pulling out of NAFTA. She also promised to step up enforcement of trade laws and stand up to China.
"We're going to start making things like steel and other important commodities in America again," Clinton said.
"When our unions, or our farmers, or service workers report unfair trade practices, we're going to listen, we're going to investigate and we are going to take action."
Clinton opposes the Colombian trade deal, even though former President Clinton supports it and her top campaign strategist, Mark Penn, lobbied for its passage for the Colombian government.
Clinton also told the crowd that she would eliminate tax breaks for companies that outsource labor, install a trade prosecutor to enforce trade rules and only sign trade agreements that protect workers.
“American workers are the most productive, hardest working people,” she said. “They just need a president who's going to be the most productive, hardest working president, and that's what I'm offering.”
The two presidential candidates are continuing to hammer each other after a weekend of criticism stemming from
Obama's comment that some small-town voters are bitter over their economic circumstances and "cling to guns and religion" as a result.
"He made comments that were offensive to many people in Pennsylvania and around the country," Clinton said on Monday, adding that Obama "doesn't get it."
Obama made the comment to a group of donors at a private fundraiser in San Francisco last week. Clinton has seized on it while campaigning for votes in Pennsylvania's April 22 primary.
Following Obama's appearance on Monday, he picked up the endorsement from the owner and chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization.
Dan Rooney said that he endorsed the Illinois senator because he believes Obama will provide the new direction and new leadership that the country needs.
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain was also invited to the Pittsburgh forum on Monday but was unable to attend, the AAM said.
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published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.