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ON THE TRAIL

The Associated Press

July 15, 2008

Democrat Barack Obama said yesterday that as president he would send at least two more combat brigades to Afghanistan, where U.S. troops face rising violence and endured their deadliest attack in three years on Sunday. The proposed force increase, about 7,000 troops, is part of Obama's plan to pull combat troops out of Iraq and focus on the growing threat from a resurgent al-Qaida in Afghanistan. "As president, I would pursue a new strategy, and begin by providing at least two additional combat brigades to support our effort in Afghanistan," Obama said in an op-ed article yesterday in The New York Times, a day before he plans a speech in Washington on his vision for Iraq and Afghanistan. Republican John McCain is planning to speak Thursday about his plan for Afghanistan.

Republican John McCain, in one of his strongest endorsements of free trade, called himself "an unapologetic supporter of NAFTA," an agreement that many Americans feel has cost them jobs. "I reject the false virtues of economic isolationism," McCain told the National Council of La Raza, a major Hispanic organization. "Any confident, competent country and its government should embrace competition," he said. "It makes us stronger." The Arizona senator has often defended free trade, but his speech yesterday in San Diego was among his most detailed and full-throated commentaries. "Lowering barriers to trade creates more and better jobs, and higher wages," he said. "It makes goods more affordable for low- and middle-income consumers."

Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island said yesterday he was not interested in being Barack Obama's running mate. Reed, a West Point graduate and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is scheduled to accompany Obama to Iraq and Afghanistan. Reed, in East Providence, R.I., described the vice presidential spot as a "position which I have no interest in," adding he has not been asked by Obama's campaign to provide information that could be used to scrutinize running mates.