GOP Touts Rare Alliance With Obama On Trade

[Cali_Democrat]

GOP Touts Rare Alliance With Obama On Trade To Highlight Dem Division
Posted: 01/30/2014 11:48 am EST

CAMBRIDGE, Md. -- House Republican leaders seized on the divide between President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats over trade on Thursday, one day after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) rejected Obama's plea to Congress for fast-track authority on trade deals.

Speaking to reporters at the annual House GOP retreat in Maryland, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) pointed out it was Obama who used his State of the Union address Tuesday to reaffirm his commitment to legislation known as Trade Promotion Authority. Boehner said he has made clear for months that Republicans support the TPA, which would essentially allow the administration to negotiate international trade agreements that would then be subject to a simple up-or-down vote in Congress with no chance for amendments.

"Expanded trade means more opportunities for Americans and more exports. So the question is: Is the president going to stand up and lead on this issue?" Boehner said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/30/trade-promotion-authority_n_4695677.html

[geek tragedy]

1. well, that should end all question on whether TPP is a good or bad idea nt

[upaloopa]

2. Why is Obama doing this?

He talks about helping the middle class but wants a trade deal that does the opposite.
I don't get why he hasn't addressed the obvious conflict in his actions.

[global1]

5. I Hate To Even Suggest This But Was President Obama Using Reverse Psychology?

Was he thinking because he was supporting it that the Repugs wouldn't? Did this backfire? Is that why Reid has come out against this now?

Just a thought. I did say I hate to suggest this.

[Marr]

9. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Hope© springs eternal.

[cali]

3. and where do you stand? do you support Obama on this?

[ProSense]

4. People are reading too much into this

and the WSJ article about Reid's position.

First, Boehner is an opportunist. Second, if you read the WSJ article, the quotes reinforce Democratic opposition to fast track, but the TPP is not dead. They are going to move forward on a slower track.

"I think there's a lot of dubiousness in our caucus to fast track, given that every time we sign a free-trade agreement it seems other countries violate the rules and we don't," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.)..Unions opposing the trade deals cheered the move. "For those of us who want to have a progressive trade agenda, it means that we're encouraged," said Larry Cohen, head of the Communications Workers of America, one of the most vocal unions criticizing the current trade negotiations.

Celeste Drake, a trade-policy specialist with the AFL-CIO, a union confederation, said Mr. Reid's comments offered "a great opportunity to get off the fast track to bad trade deals and open the policy window to a better deal for workers."

<...>

Until now, the top Senate Democrat had avoided publicly disagreeing with the White House on trade legislation. On Wednesday, he said he made clear the depth of his opposition to Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.), who recently unveiled the fast-track bill, and Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.), who is presumed to become chairman of the committee if Mr. Baucus is confirmed...Mr. Wyden has also expressed concerns about the existing fast-track bill and thinks it needs to be rewritten, an aide said. An aide to Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp said the Michigan Republican, who would be in charge of such a bill in the House, would like to have bipartisan support before moving legislation.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024414324

The negotiations aren't ending, and the TPP is far from dead.

[cali]

6. you're right. the presdent's efforts to please his corporate pals isn't over.

we'll have to keep the pressure on dems and keep pointing out that the tpp will only further increase economic inequality. No one talks out of both sides of his mouth more effectively than the President.

Of course, if the President supports something- anything at all- you're all for it.

disturbing and predictable.

[ProSense]

7. If it's moved to a slow track, Congress will get to weigh in. n/t

[tritsofme]

8. If there is no TPA, TPP will die.

Obama cannot be a serious negotiating partner at these trade talks without having TPA.

[ProSense]

10. Believe me

"Obama cannot be a serious negotiating partner at these trade talks without having TPA. "

...trade deals aren't going to die. If there is a way to make them fair, that will be explored before there are no trade deals.

My point is, this isn't dead.

[tritsofme]

13. It may be more apt to say, that this round of talks is doomed.

Not that the deal, or something similar will never happen.

Obama is not a credible negotiator without TPA, his word is worth nothing if the agreement they ink could be completely reworked by Congress.

[Marr]

11. See?! He's trapped them again with his brilliant rope-a-dope strategy!!!

The multidimensional chess-- it's just breathtaking to behold.

[frwrfpos]

12. kick for visibility