WaPo: Clinton’s "opposition" to TPP is a sign of just how worried she is about Sanders

[mhatrw]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/10/07/hillary-clintons-opposition-to-tpp-is-a-sign-of-just-how-worried-she-is-about-bernie-sanders/

Hillary Clinton almost never says the words "Bernie Sanders" on the campaign trail despite the fact that the Vermont socialist is running ahead of her in the New Hampshire primary and has been surprisingly competitive with the former secretary of state in the fight for fundraising dollars. But just because Clinton doesn't say Sanders's name doesn't mean he isn't on her mind -- a lot. He quite clearly is, with the latest piece of evidence being her decision, announced Wednesday afternoon, to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership. TPP is a massive trade deal that the Obama administration views as one of its second-term legacy items and that Clinton, as secretary of state, was on the record as supporting.

"TPP sets the gold standard in trade agreements to open free, transparent, fair trade, the kind of environment that has the rule of law and a level playing field," Clinton said in 2012. "And when negotiated, this agreement will cover 40 percent of the world's total trade and build in strong protections for workers and the environment." (CNN listed 45 times that Clinton spoke in support of TPP.) ...


Clinton's reversal on TPP comes hard on the heels of her decision, after months and months of deliberation, to oppose the building of the Keystone XL pipeline -- another position held by Sanders and the liberal elements within the Democratic party. (Interestingly, organized labor favors Keystone because of its potential to create jobs.) It's not hard to see that Clinton, concerned with the surprisingly strong challenge by Sanders from her ideological left, is working to put out that fire by allowing zero distance between her and the Vermonter on these two high-profile issues. ...

There's plenty more evidence out there that liberals like -- if not love -- Clinton, and would be fine voting for her. And yet, Clinton decided to reverse herself on TPP -- no matter what her campaign says, she was a supporter of the deal -- and take the flip-flopper flak rather than risk putting distance between herself and the party base. Worth noting: Vice President Biden, a longtime friend of organized labor, continues to mull a run for the Democratic nomination. So it's possible Clinton was trying to box Biden as well as Sanders out with this decision, as noted by WaPo's Paul Kane.

[YabaDabaNoDinoNo]

1. People see right though the "What Bernie Said" strategy she employs

people want and know the REAL thing when they see it and she ain't it.

People see right through her faux populism

[JDPriestly]

3. Hillary -- I do not trust her on the TPP and trade issues at all.

She is just confused. What in the world are her real values and principles.
She changes her mind on so many things so often.

I think her time in the State Department is going to be scrutinized very carefully.

The TPP, the XL pipeline, those were negotiated under her direction at the State Department.

Who in the world appointed all those corporate representatives to negotiate the TPP on behalf of the US?

That I would like to know.

Feel the Bern!

[davidpdx]

2. Two things

1) It's too little too late because the TPP will pass. The better chance would have been to kill the fast-track legislation. We missed that window.

2) Hillary Clinton supporters will claim she always was against TPP, so she never changed her mind.

(On #1, prior to any snark, I will be contacting my representative and senators on a weekly basis starting this week until the day the TPP is voted on. Given my congressman is a bluedog, I highly doubt it will help. I hope to change Ron Wyden's vote).

[cascadiance]

4. Perhaps her team also anticipates a debate question on Tuesday on this topic too...

... since there are people like me out there lobbying the CNN web site to have that be a question that gets asked of the candidates then.

Without any stance at all, she will be in big trouble. But she can throw out a quick one liner of having issued a statement she's against it then to try and avoid some degree of accountability for her stances.

[upaloopa]

5. This from Cillizza who has writen at least 51 stories attaking Hillary so far.

He's trying to be the guy who brought down Clinton.

It must suck to have a career where the only recognition you can get is from people who like the way you throw dirt on other people.

[stillwaiting]

6. She is COMPLETELY unbelievable in her "current" stance on the TPP.

Even the way she states her opposition is weak sauce and open to be revised at a later date. She hasn't strongly and passionately spoken out about past trade deals that have harmed American workers. She's just completely transparent on this. It's completely political.

Things like this is why her trustworthy numbers are in the gutter, and why she even has some not insignificant problems with some Democratic voters.

It's a shame that she is the current front runner for the Democratic nomination. I truly believe that she will have a much more difficult time being elected President, and she will most likely ensure strong majorities in both houses for the Republicans (as they all run to the polls to vote against her).

I wish Elizabeth Warren were the leading female candidate for the nomination.