As David Shuster reports at Current.com, last week's presidential debate at the University of Denver provided a nice grab bag of souvenirs to journalists, campaign staff, and audience members.

Unfortunately, the collection of hats and thermos bottles they provided were made in China.

In one sense, the decision to give away goodies that were made in Chinese factories shouldn't be surprising.  As we reported last week, the debate itself almost ignored the "China issue" entirely. 

However, the Obama and Romney campaigns have virtually been at war over the question of who is better suited to confront China.

Trade with China deserves to take center stage, though, since the growing U.S. trade deficit with China has cost more than 2.7 million jobs between 2001 and 2011.

As Shuster smartly observes: "American workers are part of our communities — they are our family members, neighbors and friends. And one of the easiest ways we can support our own communities and bolster the U.S. economy is to buy products that are made in the USA."

Unfortunately, the vendor who outsourced the souvenir purchases to the lowest bidder didn't feel that way.

Read more.