Clinton criticizes trade deal, Obama

Hillary Clinton called today for stricter enforcement of trade deals and a tougher stance on China to help American workers.

She also used her appearance in Pittsburgh to criticize Barack Obama again for comments she said that many Pennsylvania voters have found "offensive."

Obama, talking to donors in San Francisco last weekend about why some small town voters were not supporting him, said some were bitter about being left behind in the economy and "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them."

Clinton said, "Instead of looking at himself, he blamed them."

"I believe that people don't cling to religion, they value their faith," she continued. "I don't think he really gets it that people are looking for a president who stands up for you, and not looks down on you."

Clinton is trying to capitalize on the controversy over Obama's comments to shore up her support among blue-collar voters. She has spent much of the campaign trying to get past the passage during her husband's administration of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which some union leaders blame for job losses.

"We need solutions to fix our trade laws, build a strong manufacturing base, and stand up to China and say that unsafe toys and unfair currency practices are unacceptable," Clinton told a manufacturing forum in Pittsburgh hosted by the Alliance for American Manufacturing. "I know what manufacturing means for this country. It means good jobs, thriving communities and the products that keep this country going and growing every single day. Our manufacturers and manufacturing workers have shaped our past – and you will drive our future. And if you give me the chance, I will stand strong for you every single day as President."

Clinton also smacked Obama for not joining her call for President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics to demonstrate US disapproval of China's policies toward Tibet and Darfur.

Obama, she said, has said he is of "two minds" on the issue, but a president has to make up their mind.

"If you can't stand up to China over the opening ceremonies, how can you stand up to China on trade?" she asked.