But that leak blew up in his face, big time.  Progressives alienated, Canada embarrassed, advisors resigned or sidelined, etc.

If on the other hand we assume his team was being clever in the NAFTA incident, what does it mean that he reassured Canada, but not Mexico?  Under this theory, he is sending the message that his anti-NAFTA rhetoric was directed mainly against Mexico, which sounds uncomfortably like a racist pander to steal Anglo blue-collar votes away from Clinton.  And, there's plenty of anti-Hispanic animus in the African-American community, although it is taboo to talk about it.

So, you may be right, but I am still torn between 1) and 2).

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I am the most conservative Unitarian-Universalist you will ever meet.