From diary last week, So who are these lucky Democrats? A trip aboard Air Force One to Germany! With the President! So who made the cut out of the 17 or so House Democrats supporting the TPP? The answer is, sadly only 4 of them were so honored by President Obama, though he has promised to campaign for any of the others that may face primary opponents because of their vote.......
Reps. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas and Mike Quigley of Illinois
Obama and his GOP allies launch big effort to win trade fight in the House......The push from the president included direct calls to lawmakers, interviews with television stations in key states and plans to bring several Democrats aboard Air Force One with him to a summit in Germany this weekend.
As abcnews reported.
Obama is courting Democrats for his trade agenda against vigorous opposition from labor unions, environmental groups and liberal organizations.
The four lawmakers are Reps. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas and Mike Quigley of Illinois. They are among only 17 House Democrats publicly backing Obama's request for "fast track" trade negotiating authority.Lawmakers who by my recent research have probably not even availed themselves of the opportunity to go to the secret basement room to read the secret text of the agreement.
Obama got a boost this week when Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), long considered one of the most pro-trade Democrats in Congress, finally announced his support.
Rep. Jim Himes, former Goldman Sachs VP, (D-Conn.), Pro-TPP, seemingly anti-union, anti-environmentalists, as he just does not consider them "thoughtful, careful observers” as he does those he hears from that are Pro-TPP.
“I’ve probably heard the word ‘disappointed’ a thousand times in the last 24 hours” from labor and environmental groups, Himes said.
“On the other hand, there’s been a lot of support from people I consider thoughtful, careful observers.”
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" A thousand times in 24 hours," but Jim Himes doesn't think labor and environmental groups are "thoughtful, careful observers? Boggles the mind!
I hope the unions and environmental groups go after him big time for that insult.
In another interview with a Sacramento television station Wednesday, Obama offered direct support for Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), who, since declaring his support for fast-track trade legislation, has been vehemently denounced by labor unions. “The truth of the matter is he’s doing the right thing,” Obama said of Bera.
Although the president referred to himself as a “brother-in-arms” with organized labor over efforts to raise wages, he challenged.........labor leaders to explain why they do not want to rewrite global rules if they think the United States has been harmed by past trade deals.
“They typically don’t have a great answer for that,” Obama said.
Perhaps, Mr. President, the seats provided for union leaders to "rewrite global rules" were like a game of musical chairs?
ah, 2008 candidate Obama, who was going to put on his comfortable shoes to march for the unions, and we have come to this.....
Obama is courting Democrats for his trade agenda against vigorous opposition from labor unions, environmental groups and liberal organizations.
How far we have come from 2008 candidate Obama, like a distant memory.
As the 2009 song goes, "the world still needs that man I voted for."