Canadian PM Widens Probe of NAFTA Leak

Ambassador admits speaking to reporter

(NEWSER) - The scope of the Barack Obama NAFTA memo scandal widened again yesterday, with Canadian opposition legislators calling for the resignation of Canada's ambassador to the US after he was implicated, the Globe and Mail reports. Michael Wilson admitted speaking to the reporter who broke the story that the candidate was voicing opposition to the trade agreement merely for political purposes. More»

Canadian PM's chief of staff linked to leaks about Obama talks

(NEWSER) - Ian Brodie, chief of staff to Canada's prime minister and the key figure in the "NAFTA-gate" scandal, will step down by summer, the Globe and Mail reports. Brodie, the architect of the Conservative Party's victory in 2006 elections, is under investigation in leaks that clouded the Democratic primary in Ohio in March. More»

Ambassador says disclosure of Obama memo not 'interference' in US politics

(NEWSER) - A memo leaked by Canadian diplomats was "regrettable," the US ambassador to Ottawa said today, but not, as he hinted earlier, "interference" in America's electoral process, Reuters reports. The document detailed a meeting between Canadian officials and a member of Barack Obama's campaign, who said Obama wasn't as opposed to NAFTA as his rhetoric indicated. More»

Writers try calling the race ahead of time

(NEWSER) - March 4 has been a long time coming, and now political writers can’t be bothered to wait until the polls close in Ohio and Texas. Three early takes on today’s results:

• Josh Marshall sees a late-in-the-game turn in Hillary Clinton’s favor, and expects “minor or major crowing” from her camp tonight. Barack Obama's aura has become so bright that Clinton may come out with a net delegate loss and still get “a major shot in the arm.”

Canada, Mexico both angry about Obama protectionism

(NEWSER) - President Obama is headed to Guadalajara today for his first "Three Amigos" summit with the leaders of Canada and Mexico, but the meeting may be less than completely friendly. Trade and drug trafficking will dominate the agenda, and the leaders have some grievances they plan to press, reports Reuters. Felipe Calderón wants Obama to resolve a simmering dispute involving Mexican trucks driving into the States, while Stephen Harper will voice Canadian anger over the stimulus package's "Buy American" rule. More»