Rivals bicker over trade pact, labor standards

[Freddie Stubbs]

Dick Gephardt calls John Edwards a "Johnny-come-lately" over his support for workers' rights.

Muscatine, Ia. - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards promised Monday to make workers' rights key to future trade agreements, while rival Dick Gephardt criticized the plan as an attempt to gloss over past support for lower standards.

The dispute between the candidates, both of whom campaigned in Iowa on Monday, shows that the economy remains a key issue in the race for the nomination, despite signs that the manufacturing sector is growing.

Edwards proposed higher labor and environmental standards for foreign trade agreements at stops in five eastern Iowa cities. The North Carolina senator was on the first day of a five-day trip across the state, where lead-off precinct caucuses are set for Jan. 19.

"If we want to do more, not only to help our workers and protect jobs but also to improve the standards in other parts of the world, this is what we need," Edwards told about 40 party activists at an Italian restaurant in downtown Muscatine.

more: http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c4789004/22904820.html