Green Arrow
04-24-2014, 12:46 AM
via Politico (http://www.politico.com/story/2014/04/obama-trans-pacific-partnership-asia-105955.html):
President Barack Obama's in Asia this week pushing a deal that almost none of his allies at home want.
On the Hill, most of the pushback is coming from the president's fellow Democrats, who say it undercuts the economic fairness argument that's a central focus of his midterm strategy.
Despite Obama's support for the agreement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have made clear they don't have much interest in the Tran-Pacific Partnership or broader fast-track trade authority passing before November -- if then.
Progressives on Capitol Hill and beyond warn that any deal before Election Day this year would likely depress turnout among the Democratic base, including in the close races that will determine control of the Senate and the makeup of the House.
Yet, the agreement to open up trade with a dozen Asian nations -- which would eliminate tariffs and other market barriers -- remains the centerpiece of the president's weeklong trip to Asia, pitting him against the populism he's spending 2014 trying to stoke.
Labor's been leading the opposition. But the president's also at odds with consumer safety advocates, environmental interests, religious groups and a wide array of progressives.
"There's a disconnect between the rhetoric around inequality and the reality of what's on the table in these trade agreements," said Thea Lee, deputy chief of staff for the AFL-CIO, which has been sharply critical of TPP.
"His push for the TPP is at cross-purposes with his stated goal of lifting the middle class and providing opportunity for those striving to reach the middle class," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). "Ultimately, he will have to choose between that and trade policies that would only further exacerbate the economic problems in this country."
"It's hard to be for reducing inequality and the TPP," said Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), saying the trade deal undercuts the president's praiseworthy work on raising the minimum wage, infrastructure investment and establishing equal pay. "It's like trying to sit down and stand up at the same time."
If it wasn't for Arrow's Law of Stupidity (TM), this would be yet another nail in the coffin of the false image President Obama's supporters have of him. He's another Bushworld corporatist who doesn't care about the poor.
President Barack Obama's in Asia this week pushing a deal that almost none of his allies at home want.
On the Hill, most of the pushback is coming from the president's fellow Democrats, who say it undercuts the economic fairness argument that's a central focus of his midterm strategy.
Despite Obama's support for the agreement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have made clear they don't have much interest in the Tran-Pacific Partnership or broader fast-track trade authority passing before November -- if then.
Progressives on Capitol Hill and beyond warn that any deal before Election Day this year would likely depress turnout among the Democratic base, including in the close races that will determine control of the Senate and the makeup of the House.
Yet, the agreement to open up trade with a dozen Asian nations -- which would eliminate tariffs and other market barriers -- remains the centerpiece of the president's weeklong trip to Asia, pitting him against the populism he's spending 2014 trying to stoke.
Labor's been leading the opposition. But the president's also at odds with consumer safety advocates, environmental interests, religious groups and a wide array of progressives.
"There's a disconnect between the rhetoric around inequality and the reality of what's on the table in these trade agreements," said Thea Lee, deputy chief of staff for the AFL-CIO, which has been sharply critical of TPP.
"His push for the TPP is at cross-purposes with his stated goal of lifting the middle class and providing opportunity for those striving to reach the middle class," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). "Ultimately, he will have to choose between that and trade policies that would only further exacerbate the economic problems in this country."
"It's hard to be for reducing inequality and the TPP," said Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), saying the trade deal undercuts the president's praiseworthy work on raising the minimum wage, infrastructure investment and establishing equal pay. "It's like trying to sit down and stand up at the same time."
If it wasn't for Arrow's Law of Stupidity (TM), this would be yet another nail in the coffin of the false image President Obama's supporters have of him. He's another Bushworld corporatist who doesn't care about the poor.