With Sanders in the Race, Clinton Can't Dodge Trade

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/05/12824/sanders-race-clinton-cant-dodge-trade

Posted by MARY BOTTARI on May 06, 2015

New data out today indicates that the U.S. trade deficit has swelled to the highest level in more than six years. This flood of imports robs American workers of jobs and saps the economic recovery. Yet President Obama is escalating pressure on Congress to approve “Fast Track” trade authority, which would limit Congressional debate on major trade agreements and speed their approval.

In a field of White House hopefuls who are busy raising money from deep-pocketed special interests and expertly dodging the press, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders stands alone in his single-minded focus on the economy. His blunt talk on jobs, rising inequality, and the erosion of the middle class will force many White House hopefuls to address topics they would rather avoid, including the most important economic vote of our times on Fast Track trade.

Pushing Hillary to Take a Stand

On April 17, shortly after the Fast Track trade bill was introduced in Congress, Sanders challenged candidates for the White House to take a stand on the bill and on the two pending trade agreements, the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with Europe. He was slated to go on The Ed Show on MSNBC later that day, whose host, Ed Schultz, has been crusading against the pending agreements as job killers in a weak economy.

But before the two trade skeptics could start their discussion, Clinton aides put out a statement: “Any new trade measure has to pass two tests: First, it should put us in a position to protect American workers, raise wages and create more good jobs at home. Second, it must also strengthen our national security.”

FULL story at link.

[Populist_Prole]

1. Nor can other pols, pundits, or other MSM talking heads

Dodge what they so desperately want to dodge, in favor of "horse race" coverage.

The man oozes gravitas in an otherwise shallow inane playing field.

[Buzz Clik]

2. Of course she can dodge trade discussions. And will.

[mmonk]

3. I agree. It will be generalizations.

[L0oniX]

4. K & R

[Maedhros]

5. Well, in the New Democratic Party, the annointed leaders tell US what to support,

not the other way around.

[mmonk]

6. Bernie will bring truth about the issue that has hollowed out America.

She will be reduced to generalizing and platitude in this part of the debates. I look forward to it. I look forward to see what the reactions will be.

[BrotherIvan]

7. It's really tough to run against a candidate that clearly states his position

One of Bernie's best tools is that he will talk about anything and doesn't hesitate to state his position. He has no one to answer to but the voters and his own conscience. That will make him much freer. It will also put everyone else off guard because he is not playing the normal political game. That's got to be worth a couple of hundred million in corporate cash.