Update [2008-2-29 16:28:18 by susanhu]: Third update, from CTV.ca, at end of story.

Update [2008-2-29 14:24:11 by susanhu]: The UPDATES from me and from Larry Johnson (important!) are at the end of this story.

From CTV News, "[T]he Obama camp did not respond to repeated questions from CTV on reports that a conversation on this matter was held between Obama's senior economic adviser -- Austan Goolsbee -- and the Canadian Consulate General in Chicago."

Earlier Thursday, the Obama campaign insisted that no conversations have taken place with any of its senior ranks and representatives of the Canadian government on the NAFTA issue. On Thursday night, CTV spoke with Goolsbee, but he refused to say whether he had such a conversation with the Canadian government office in Chicago. He also said he has been told to direct any questions to the campaign headquarters. [That exchange speaks volumes.]

CTV News, an internationally respected national Canadian television and print news service, has reconfirmed its story with its top-level sources, and stands by its original report which I wrote up earlier in "Shocker: Obama Campaign Reveals Fake Stand on NAFTA [Video UPDATE]" and which Taylor Marsh stood by all day after calling CTV directly (despite taking heat after the MSM caved and scurried away).

Here's the scoop on the CTV reports FROM A MAN WHO witnessed how Sen. Barack Obama stiffed Illinois' machinists: "I am appalled but not surprised by this report," said IAM International [Machinists] President Tom Buffenbarger. "Working families cannot trust a candidate who telegraphs his real position to a foreign government and then dissembles in a nationally televised debate." -- February 28, 2008

That is tonight's top CTV TV story, watched by millions of Canadians and U.S. citizens near the Canadian border.

There's more...

Must-see VIDEO UPDATE [and second video update just below the fold]:

Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Canadian media reveal Obama's posture on NAFTA is solely "campaign rhetoric." Via CTA.ca News article, "Obama staffer gave warning of NAFTA rhetoric":

... Within the last month, a top staff member for Obama's campaign telephoned Michael Wilson, Canada's ambassador to the United States, and warned him that Obama would speak out against NAFTA, according to Canadian sources.

The staff member reassured Wilson that the criticisms would only be campaign rhetoric, and should not be taken at face value.

But Tuesday night in Ohio, where NAFTA is blamed for massive job losses, Obama said he would tell Canada and Mexico "that we will opt out unless we renegotiate the core labour and environmental standards."

Late Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Obama campaign said the staff member's warning to Wilson sounded implausible, but did not deny that contact had been made.

There's more...