The Democratic presidential candidate I refer to as “Mr. BOOHOO-OUCH” (Barack O-bomba Overseas Hussein “Obambi” Obama – Objectively Unfit Coddler of Haters), while waffling, has wanted to appear to many of his constituents as being opposed to free trade agreements, or at least wanting to renegotiate the terms of many of them.

On Wednesday, the Department of Commerce issued a press release, the kind of thing you would hope business journalists get in their e-mail boxes. But I found no coverage of this news in a Google News Search on [commerce "free trade'] (typed as indicated inside brackets).

Perhaps it’s because the news would be inconvenient for presumptive Democratic nominee Obama, who is in the midst of an Excellent Overseas Adventure, speaking to fawning crowds who fortunately will have no say at the ballot box in November.

Here is that news:

U.S. Manufacturing Exports Swing from Deficit to Surplus with Free Trade Agreement Countries

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced new U.S. Commerce Department data showing that the United States is running a trade surplus in manufactured exports with our 14 free trade agreement (FTA) partners. In the first five months of 2008, the trade balance in manufactured goods rose to a $2.7 billion surplus with our FTA partners from a $12.3 billion deficit during the same period last year. The U.S. manufactured goods trade balance improved 122 percent with our FTA partners, but only six percent with non-FTA partners in the first five months of 2008.

….. This improvement in the trade balance is due to the increasing competitiveness of U.S. manufactured goods. Since 2002, FTAs have helped U.S. manufactured exports grow steadily and at a faster rate than imports — 63 percent compared to only 42 percent, respectively, year-to-date through May 2008 (compared to same period of 2002).

A look at the Fact Sheet (PDF) accompanying the release shows that the year-to-date 2008 surplus contrasts with deficits that occurred in the previous six years:

Somewhat but not directly related to the news just mentioned, the “Across the Pond” Blog has very recently posted this take on Obama’s current Excellent Overseas Adventure and how free trade has scarcely come up (bold is mine):

….. Obama’s skeptical view of free trade is surely his least popular position among top European officials, and Obama bringing it up would have highlighted differences that could distract from some of the glossy photos.

….. Here, so far as I can discern, is all he’s said, which he uttered at the Column speech: “Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few, and not the many. This is the moment for trade that is free and fair for all.”

….. while John McCain’s more welcoming attitude toward free trade might not do him favors in the U.S., and while George Bush’s policies in general are wildly unpopular, this is one of the few areas where the GOP president and his party’s 2008 candidate are more in tune with Europe than Obama.

Maybe that’s why items like the trade-surplus situation with CAFTA and NAFTA partners isn’t news. It distracts from the faux coronation.

Cross-posted at NewsBusters.org.

The Associated Press’s Ed White used almost 700 words in his story (link is dynamic; story in form found at 5:04 p.m. is also here) about the latest developments relating to Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick of Detroit, and failed to name his party affiliation even once.

Even beyond that, though he did tell readers that Kilpatrick faces a criminal trial for perjury, misconduct, and obstruction of justice, White failed to note that calls for Kilpatrick’s resignation, which began in earnest with City Council’s 7-1 vote in March, continue to mount.

According to White’s report, Kilpatrick:

• Allegedly “….berated and attacked (investigators) as they tried to serve a subpoena to a friend.” One investigator says that the mayor “grabbed him and threw him into (a) fellow investigator …..”
• That investigator, Brian White, “testified he had X-rays taken at a hospital and might have suffered a slight hip fracture.”
• Was ordered by a judge “to pay $7,500 and undergo random drug testing.”
• Though he is the mayor of Michigan’s largest city, is still “no longer permitted any personal travel outside Michigan. He also cannot travel on business outside the state without the court’s approval.”
• Tried to shame a black investigator for working with a white colleague, saying that “You should be ashamed of yourself. Why are you a part of this?” and “You shouldn’t even be riding in a car with a guy named White.”

AP’s 2000 Stylebook (I would be grateful if anyone with access to a more recent version could e-mail me a link) says the following about reporting party affiliation:

Let relevance be the guide in determining whether to include a political figure’s party affiliation in a story.

Party affiliation is pointless in some stories, such as an account of a governor accepting a button from a poster child.

It will occur naturally in many political stories.

For stories between these extremes, include party affiliation if readers need it for understanding or are likely to be curious about what it is.

I would suggest that the “relevance” and “curiosity” tests are slam dunks.

It’s not like all reporters are allergic to reporting the party affiliation of Democratic malfeasants. This Newark Star-Ledger story from this morning by Josh Margolin and Robert Schwaneberg (”Assemblyman Neil Cohen under child porn investigation”) names the Democratic Party affiliation of two of Cohen’s colleagues in the first paragraph, and identifies Cohen as “D-Union” in the second. The word “Democrat” or “Democratic” actually appears five times, and the “D” label three times.

So what’s Ed White’s excuse?

Cross-posted at NewsBusters.org.

Attn. Team McCain: Here’s my long-shot suggestion — Sarah Steelman should get on the short list, for these reasons: here (”Mo. treasurer crusades to deny funds to terrorists”), here (”Steelman calls for end to ethanol mandate”), here (”GOP Reformers Face a Tough Fight” – a must-read), here (”Rebel with an independent streak”), and here (runs the table on every issue).

Let the Missouri GOP stick to its old-time ways if it wishes. Sarah Steelman is the maverick choice. You have to act fast before she becomes Show Me State Governor. Steelman shores up a state that shouldn’t be in play, but is, thanks to its current Bob Taft-like governor.

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UPDATE: If you didn’t catch the fireworks in the comments that were added yesterday at Part 3 (”His Risky Associations and Entanglements”), it’s worth a visit (link is to beginning of comments; yesterday’s begin at #8). Attn. Team McCain — Also catch the final comment just added this morning.

UPDATE 2, 9:00 a.m.: The Phoenix Business Journal is reporting that “McCain’s short list of vice presidential possibilities has been essentially narrowed to six” — Tim Pawlenty, Colin Powell, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Joe Lieberman, and Tom Ridge.

Ohioans will note the absence of Rob Portman. Further:

Sources familiar with the Arizona Republican’s VP search process list Pawlenty and Romney as the odds on favorites but said there was some preference to pick a woman or minority as McCain’s running mate. That would mean Powell, Palin, the 44-year-old Alaska governor, or former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina.

Urgency seems to be dissipating: “The Arizona senator is expected to pick a running mate in the coming weeks.”

UPDATE 3, 9:15 a.m.: At WSJ’s Washington Wire Blog — “Virginia’s Rep. (Eric) Cantor Gets a Push to Be McCain’s VP.”

UPDATE 4, 10:45 a.m.: From TopNews –

According to two top aides to the presumptive GOP nominee, the decision is likely to be announced after Obama returns from Europe on Sunday and before the Beijing Olympics begin Aug. 8 so that the Olympic happenings do not deflect attention from the announcement of a running mate.

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The case, in one sentence — Mitt Romney’s constitutional subversion and poor economic stewardship while he was governor of Massachusetts; his risky and unvetted foreign, business, and political entanglements; and his conduct during the GOP primary campaign make him an objectively unfit and unacceptably risky vice-presidential pick for John McCain.

Don’t do it, John.

The Detailed Case: Part 1 — As Governor, What He Did to Massachusetts; Part 2 — As Governor, What He Did to the Nation; Part 3 — His Risky Associations and Entanglements; Part 4 — His Disgraceful GOP Primary Campaign

Other Posts: July 20 — Mary Katharine Ham Should Trust Her Instincts (As Should We); July 19 — K-Lo Demonstrates the Delusion; July 17 — Paul Weyrich Lays the Foundation; July 16 — The Case Against Mitt Romney: Series Introduction

From the Primary Season: Feb. 4 — The Pre-Super Tuesday Comprehensive Objectively Unfit Mitt Romney Index

At IBDeditorials.com (HT Rich Noyes at NewsBusters), Rich Tate reports that “An analysis of federal records shows that the amount of money journalists contributed so far this election cycle favors Democrats by a 15:1 ratio over Republicans, with $225,563 going to Democrats, only $16,298 to Republicans.”

He slices and dices the numbers many ways, but here’s what struck me: Fox and Fox News employees donated over $40,000 to Dems and nothing to the GOP.

Point A: Despite the contributions tilt, Fox still manages to do a good job of being fair and balanced.

Point B: If it looks to some as if Fox is skewed to the right, it’s only because the rest of them are so obviously skewed to the left.

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There’s good news and bad news for the presidential candidate I refer to as “Mr. BOOHOO-OUCH” (Barack O-bomba Overseas Hussein “Obambi” Obama – Objectively Unfit Coddler of Haters).

First the bad news: Rasmussen reports that 63% of Americans say that his Overseas Excellent Adventure does not make him more fit to be president. Only 23% said it does — and that’s only because they’re Democracts and they know they have to answer any poll question about Obama that way even if they don’t believe it (OK, Rasmussen didn’t write that, I did).

But there is good news for Obama: Because he “Snubbed Injured Soldiers for a Workout,” at least he’s more fit.

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Here’s more proof (as if needed) that the ingrates who don’t like how I use Barack Obama’s middle name don’t appreciate the favor I do for him on a mostly-daily basis.

Scott Whitlock at NewsBusters reports that columnist Thomas Friedman of the quickly-contracting New York Times told Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer the following:

I was in Cairo a few weeks ago. And one of things that was so striking is how impressed Egyptians were, simply with the prospect that after 9/11, Americans might actually elect a man whose middle name was Hussein.

Well, if Egyptian pride is to mean anything, Americans simply must know that the presidential candidate with the middle name Hussein actually HAS the middle name Hussein.

I am pleased to continue providing such a valuable service, and encourage others to assist in this important endeavor. :–>

Update: If you look at the first comment/trackback at this post, you’ll see what I mean. All the work I do to make sure the guy’s desirable middle name is known, and this is the paranoid, reading-what-isn’t-there, wasn’t-on-my-mind thanks I get …..
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Here’s a follow-up on my Pajamas Media/BizzyBlog column last week — from Reuter:

L.A. fast-food moratorium one step closer to reality A Los Angeles city council planning committee unanimously approved a 1-year ban, which could be extended for a further year, on new fast food outlets in a 32-square-mile (82-sq-km) area of Los Angeles. The measure, the latest in efforts by U.S. cities to promote healthier eating, will go to the full council for a vote next month.

I showed in the column that four of the top chains offer a myriad of salad alternatives (here’s the graphic).

But facts obviously don’t matter to the Food Police.

Update: Meanwhile from the “Go Figure” Department — “Whisper it quietly, but McDonald’s is doing rather well in France.”

From Forest, Virginia (story video is here):

Posted 11:12 pm Thu July 17, 2008

A diabetic mother in Forest says her son saved her life Wednesday night. But he’s not just anyone, he has a brain condition — Tourette’s Syndrome. We told you Ryan Proffitt’s story three years ago. Now he’s written a new chapter about putting his emergency skills to work.

Rebekah Proffitt, Son Saved Her Life – “I had laid down to take a nap. I had set the timer for 30 minutes.”

But Rebekah Proffitt slept through the alarm. She slept through dinner burning in the oven and attempts by her 10-year-old son, Ryan, to wake her.

Rebekah – “He couldn’t wake me up. He started screaming, he tried everything to wake me up.”

Ryan knew his mom’s blood sugar had dropped.

Ryan Proffitt, Saved Mom’s Life – “I tried to respond as quickly as I could.”

All while suppressing his Tourette’s Syndrome. And he says stressful situations make it worse.

Ryan – “Basically it makes me scream, twitch and stuff like that and sometimes and I can’t control it.”

But this time he did.

Ryan – “I just stopped thinking about Tourette’s and think more about mom.”

He told his grandparents to call 911.

Ryan – “That’s when I started pulling this out and I gave her a shot.”

And when paramedics arrived he told them what was happening, his mom says it saved her from a diabetic coma.

Go here for the rest of the story.