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Dear Steelworker:

            America faces enormous challenges.  This year’s election provides the nation with the opportunity to elect new leadership to seriously confront these challenges and chart a new course that puts us back on the right track and that will help restore growth with equity

            The Steelworkers have a great deal at stake in this election.  For far too long, the issues important to the future of manufacturing have been ignored resulting in the loss of more than 3.3 million manufacturing jobs and the shuttering of tens of thousands of facilities.   While trade policy is not the only cause of these problems, it is a key ingredient in this area.

            Last month, the Steelworkers sent a letter to each of the three presidential candidates asking them a series of specific questions about their views on America’s trade policies and what they will do, if elected.  Regrettably, Republican candidate John McCain refused to respond and also refused to participate in a forum hosted by the Alliance for American Manufacturing earlier this week where each candidate was given the opportunity to provide the audience with their views on key issues facing American manufacturing.

            Senators Clinton and Obama did provide thoughtful responses to the USW letters.   Attached you will find the USW’s initial letter and their answers.   We are providing the full text of their responses to you – without editorial comment.   The status quo approach must be rejected.

            We would welcome any comments or questions you might have.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Leo W. Gerard.