Elizabeth Warren Joins California Democrats in Opposing Trade Deal
For a few hours on Saturday morning, a convention center near Disneyland became the hub of opposition to President Barack Obama's authority to negotiate an Asia-Pacific trade deal.
Outside California's Anaheim Convention Center, union members chanted slogans against the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership and unfurled a banner reading: “Tell Congress to support American trade. Not unfair trade.” Inside, Senator Elizabeth Warren rallied California Democratic Party activists with a speech that criticized the pact as a gift to corporations.
The annual convention of the largest state party revealed rifts in the Democratic base, as many activists parted ways with Obama over the trade pact. The California Democratic Party is on record opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Some activists said they would prefer a progressive candidate like Warren to challenge former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. Clinton has not articulated a definitive position on the trade deal. Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described socialist who joined the primary contest last month, opposes Obama's trade agenda.
“Of all the candidates running, Elizabeth Warren is the only one I have any faith in,” said Donna Gilmore of San Clemente in Orange County, who said she expects Warren to seek the nomination even though the Massachusetts senator has said she's not interested. “This should not be a secret. Obama is saying it will be better for us. I voted for Obama but that doesn't mean I take everything he says on blind faith.”
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http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-05-16/elizabeth-warren-joins-california-democrats-in-opposing-trade-deal
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