Early forum on global warming unlikely

NASHUA, N.H. — California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's vision of convening a global-warming forum among presidential candidates before next month's primary apparently has fallen apart, Republican Sen. John McCain and others said Saturday.

The concept gained attention after McCain disclosed at a campaign stop in California last month that Schwarzenegger had invited him to participate. A proponent of taking steps to reverse climate change, McCain was quick to accept.

He has sought to differentiate himself on the issue from other top Republicans. But McCain said the event, once tentatively set for this month, won't happen, at least not by the Jan. 8 New Hampshire primary. "They tell me none of the other candidates would take part," he said.

Adam Mendelsohn, Schwarzenegger's communications director, said the governor holds out hope there could be a forum, if not before the New Hampshire vote, then later in the primary season.

Edwards says he'd be tough trade bargainer

DERRY, N.H. — Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Saturday he wants to replace the empty promise that NAFTA would create millions of jobs with his own promise to be a tough negotiator on trade deals.

On the 14th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Edwards condemned the deal that lowered trade barriers between the United States and Canada and Mexico, saying it has paved the way for a series of deals that put the interests of multinational corporations ahead of working families.

"NAFTA was sold to the American people with promises that it would grow the economy and create millions of new jobs. But today, we know those promises were empty," he said.

The former North Carolina senator, who supports "redoing" NAFTA but not repealing it, said the effects of NAFTA and other trade deals are evident in New Hampshire's north country, where several paper mills have closed in recent years. As president, he said, he would pursue trade deals that leave most families better off and that include strong labor and environmental standards.

Obama too young, rights advocate says

ATLANTA — Civil-rights icon Andrew Young said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is too young and lacks the support network to ascend to the White House.

In an interview posted online, Young also said that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has her husband behind her, and that "Bill is every bit as black as Barack."

"He's probably gone with more black women than Barack," Young said of former President Clinton, drawing laughter from a live audience. Young, 75, was quick to follow his comment on Bill Clinton with the disclaimer, "I'm clowning."

Young, a former United Nations ambassador and lieutenant of Martin Luther King Jr., made the comments at an appearance at "Newsmakers Live," an urban-media forum that interviews prominent Atlanta personalities and political figures.

Repeated efforts to reach Young were unsuccessful. Obama campaign officials declined Saturday to comment on Young's remarks.

Teen gets press pass to interview hopefuls

MIAMI — Tenth-grader Noah Gray quietly pulled out his iPhone in English class and saw the e-mail he'd been waiting for.

"You're in!"

He smiled and hid his phone. The 15-year-old hadn't gotten into a party or a sports event. The e-mail was from a spokeswoman for Univision, the Spanish television station. The news: He'd have a press pass for today's Republican presidential debate in Florida.

Gray can't vote, but since August he has been to six events for presidential candidates, most as a credentialed member of the media. A local progressive-radio show helped him get press credentials after interviewing him at a peace rally he organized in May.

He has interviewed four of the eight Democratic candidates, and today's debate will be his first chance to interview the Republicans.

He said part of his goal is to ask about issues important to young people.

Seattle Times news services