Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Showing Original Post only (View all)Strong Words...House Democrat says Obama has lost touch with 'the real world' on "TPP" [View all]
By Peter Schroeder - 06/10/15 11:57 AM EDT
http://thehill.com/policy/finance/244627-heritage-to-key-vote-against-fast-track
A House Democrat on Wednesday accused President Obama of losing touch with the real world, as his administration pushes for fast-track authority to finish a sweeping trade pact.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), who opposes the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership and legislation to help finalize it, said Obama lives in a cloister at the White House, while Sherman and his fellow lawmakers are out seeing the real world.
Were in our districts. We dont live in a cloister where the only people who can get in are the captains of industry and the titans of Wall Street, he said. Were the ones that are standing at the county fairs, talking to whoever wants to come up and talk to us.
Sherman said living in the White House for the last six years had put Obama out of touch with the common American and that he should listen to the perspective of fellow Democrats who oppose him on trade.
The president should trust us, his 200 most fervent supporters who, unlike him, have a chance to get out and see the real world, he said. We have the same values, but we dont have the same lifestyle.
Obama and congressional Democrats have clashed for months over the trade pact, with the fight coming to a head in the push to pass fast-track legislation that would allow Obama to finalize terms of the 12-nation agreement by limiting Congress to an up-or-down vote.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) said it was up to Democrats to defeat the bill and "save President Obama from his advisers."
With a vote set for Friday that would send the fast-track legislation to the president, House Democrats in opposition are still trying to rally support to block it. Critics of the deal gathered outside the Capitol Wednesday to reiterate their opposition and urge Democrats to hold firm and block the bill.
Now is the time to redouble our efforts, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). Failure, my friend, is not an option.
Labor groups and liberal organizations have been staunchly opposed to the deal, arguing it is a bad for workers. They have vowed they wont forget which Democrats help pass the legislation come Election Day.
This is a message to any member of Congress thats thinking about voting for this unfair trade deal, said Hasan Solomon with the Machinists Union. You better start packing your bags right now, because were going to fast track you right out of office in 2016.
The liberal group MoveOn.org vowed it would mobilize its millions of members to oppose Democrats who vote in favor of the pending bill.
Our members knocked on doors for you, they donated to you, said Ben Wikler, the groups Washington director. They are watching this vote, and they will not forget how you vote on fast track.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
69 replies, 8955 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (197)
ReplyReply to this post
69 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Strong Words...House Democrat says Obama has lost touch with 'the real world' on "TPP" [View all]
KoKo
Jun 2015
OP
And that puts him in the running for that statement of faint praise made about
truedelphi
Jun 2015
#12
It was certainlly obvious early on. He pretended to be progressive to defeat HRC, but
rhett o rick
Jun 2015
#44
He couldn't wait to tell the conservatives that his progressive campaign was just to
rhett o rick
Jun 2015
#64
The TPP, NAFTA and other agreements that establish special courts, arbitration courts without
JDPriestly
Jun 2015
#48
K & R. Kudos to MoveOn, Reps. Sherman, Kaptur, Delauro, other Dems, labor et al.
appalachiablue
Jun 2015
#23
"The "ivory tower liberal" is an outdated cliché; a debunking of one of the right's favorite myth."
pampango
Jun 2015
#31
Took him this long to notice Obama lives in fantasy world of his own making? Really?
bowens43
Jun 2015
#52