Because Democracy Means Accountability.

One of the most effective things that you can do to promote fair trade policy is to "bird-dog" candidates about their stances. Bird-dogging is the tactic of getting candidates to publicly address your concerns "on the record."

The 2006 midterm elections and 2008 primary season proved that trade and globalization are major issues of concern to the voting public, and the choices confronting policy-makers couldn’t be more different.

As fair traders have introduced the TRADE Act to reform our trade policy and provide for renegotiation of bad past NAFTA-type deals, the Bush administration continues to push for NAFTA expansion onto the rest of the world. While the TRADE Act gathers momentum and nears 100 cosponsors in the House and Senate, possible votes loom on NAFTA expansions to Colombia, Panama and South Korea that could still come up in 2008 or early 2009.

We have the right to know where the candidates stand and these and other key trade issues.

It's Time to Bird-Dog!

Bird-dogging is an underutilized tactic, but one of the best. It’s easy, exciting and highly effective. Just asking the right question can make a difference. Read on for questions, or skip ahead to Bird-dogging 101, a step-by-step guide. Click here for some extra tips to turn heads for fair trade.

Sample Questions for Candidates:

• The Bush administration is still pushing to expand the NAFTA trade model to Colombia, Panama and South Korea. Just like NAFTA, these deals promote offshoring good jobs, fuel environmental destruction, jack up medicine prices, increase immigration, grant new rights to foreign investors, and undermine our food safety. What is your position on the pending NAFTA expansions to Colombia, Panama and South Korea?
• Last June a bill called the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Enforcement (TRADE) Act was introduced. This landmark legislation sets forth in concrete, detailed terms a new vision for what truly fair trade agreements would look like in the future, criteria to renegotiate existing failed pacts like NAFTA and the WTO, and sets out a new, more democratic process for negotiating trade policy. The TRADE Act is supported by a broad array of labor, consumer, environmental, family farm and faith groups, and has 80 House and Senate cosponsors. Will you commit to cosponsor the TRADE Act?

For a printable copy of these questions in pdf format, click here (PDF).

Or Create Your Own Questions: contact the GTW team for help tailoring a strategic question fits your interest and experience.

Bird-dogging 101: A Step-By-Step Guide

1. Locate the candidates. This is sometimes easier said than done, but try checking newspapers, going to the politician's website, subscribing to a candidate's email list, calling the local campaign office or even calling members of the local media to see if they know. Once you have a list of public events featuring your member of Congress, figure out what will be the best opportunity for you to get your question asked and answered. Click here to find out who your representative is.
2. Arrive early and bring signs or handout pamphlets that publicize the issue of NAFTA expansion vs. fair trade. There may be other people promoting different issues attending the event. By arriving early with friends and flyers, you can help to educate other voters attending the event. You can use our factsheets on the TRADE Act or the pending FTAs with Colombia, Panama & Korea, or better yet, make your own that references your congressperson. When you take your seats be sure to spread out in the crowd to increase your chance of at least one of your group being called on to ask a question.
3. Have your questions ready. It pays to have your questions planned out before attending the event, and to have more than one question in mind in case yours gets asked early by someone else. This is especially helpful if you tend to get a little nervous speaking in public. Also, do your homework! Before confronting a politician, make sure you know where he/she stands on a variety of issues, including the one most important to you. Click here to see how your representative voted on CAFTA and the US-Peru FTA. Some suggested questions are above. Global Trade Watch staff can also help you develop additional questions.
4. First, Fast and High is the rule for hand-raising. Most attendees will be a little hesitant at first, so be sure to raise your hand up, and raise it high, as soon as the question period begins. If you indicate early interest, it is more likely that you will be called upon.
5. Stay calm. Aggression can diminish your effectiveness. Instead, try being as polite as possible, but be assertive enough to make sure the politician addresses your issue in a meaningful way. Even though you’re an activist with aims, you are also a constituent with the right to dialogue with your elected officials.
6. Take notes. Since listening to a politician's answer is sometimes nerve-wracking, have a friend take notes while you listen to the response. That way you'll not only get the politician to say something on the record, but also be able to accurately quote them later on. Don't forget to report the answer to us at GTW.
7. Be prepared to speak to the media. Journalists like follow-up conversations with questioners like yourself. Use the opportunity to promote your message. Now you must think like a politician! Whatever you are asked, try to always bring it back to your point of view about trade policy.

This video provides a great example of effective bird-dogging. While the person in the clip is an expert on trade issues and asks a detailed question, you don't have to be an expert to ask questions of your elected representatives.

Turn Heads for the Cause!

There's more to bird-dogging than asking questions. For example, not every event will be open to the public. In these cases, making signs and standing outside the event location can be very effective. Making noise with some fun chants can be a great way to draw attention and get covered in the media.

Signs: Make sure they are large and clear so that everyone can read their message.

Here are some ideas:
"Say NO to Greed, Say Yes to Fair Trade"
"More NAFTA = Less Democracy"
"Colombia FTA: More Narcotics, Less Rainforest"
"TRADE Act: The Fair Way Forward"
"Don't trade away our future!"
"Dare to say NO to More NAFTAs!"

Chants: Great for getting media attention and drawing a crowd

Here are some ideas:
"Hey hey! Ho ho! Bad trade deals have got to go!"
"One, two, three, four, this bad trade deal won't help the poor"
"Up with human rights, down with FTA lies!"
"What do we want? Fair trade! When do we want it? Now!"

Want to give it a go, but need help?

Use the form below to email Michael Crawford at Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, and he can give you ideas and connect you with other "bird-doggers" in your area. It's democracy in action!