Hillary Clinton came out against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Wednesday, breaking with President Barack Obama on the 12-nation trade deal that is set to become a key part of his legacy.
"As of today, I am not in favor of what I have learned about it," Clinton told Judy Woodruff of "PBS Newshour."
"I have said from the very beginning that we had to have a trade agreement that would create good American jobs, raise wages and advance our national security. And I still believe that's the high bar we have to meet," she said. "I have been trying to learn as much as I can about the agreement. But I'm worried. I'm worried about currency manipulation not being part of the agreement. We've lost American jobs to the manipulations that countries, particularly in Asia, have engaged in. I'm worried the pharmaceutical companies may have gotten more benefits -- and patients and consumers fewer. I think there are still a lot of unanswered questions."
Progressives have been pushing Clinton for months to take a position on TPP, since Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), two of her rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, came out against it long ago.
If you have been paying attention to the news you probably know that this position is being interpreted by almost everyone as political opportunism, and as a way to woo some of Bernie Sanders supporters.
Especially since Clinton once praised the deal as "the gold standard in trade agreements," and spoke out in favor of it at least 45 times in the past.
I don't know enough about trade deals to have a real firm point of view about this one, however I do understand politics, and this makes me more than a little uneasy concerning Hillary and her campaign moving forward.
Once AGAIN the media is giving their 'slant' to her statement. She has not come out completely opposed to it....just read her statement.
ReplyDelete"not in favor of what I have learned about it' - it gives her leeway.
Agree...I had the same reaction. She raised 'concerns' and didn't come out opposed. She made a point of saying she hadn't seen the final agreement.
DeleteYeah. As of today, she's not in favor of what she has learned about it. As of tomorrow, she might have a different perspective entirely. I intensely dislike this woman and hope she's not the nominee.
DeleteWhy the fuck would she say she doesn't approve of what she doesn't know? Only a Sarah Palin would do that.
DeleteWhy the fuck would she say she doesn't approve of what she doesn't know?
DeleteShe actually said that she is "not in favor of what [she HAS] learned about it" SO FAR. If you believe that she said that "she doesn't approve of what she doesn't know" as you suggest, you should provide us with a relevant quote.
Only a Sarah Palin would do that.
Did that not lead you to question your belief that HRH did? Secretary Clinton has only expressed reservations about what she has learned so far; she has not wandered off into the weeds making wild statments about things that she does not yet know. Unless you have a supporting quote, of course.
What in tarnatian does this have to do with Sarah Palin?
ReplyDeleteI want to hear specifics.
ReplyDeleteBernie Sanders just says he's against the TPP because past trade deals have been bad.
Hillary, at least, named some areas of concerns. Now let's hear why they're concerns: what's the effect of the TPP compared to the what happens without it.
And why can't journalists learn how to ask questions to elicit a detailed response? (I give a pass to the journalist who recently questioned Ben Carson on the economy and made a valiant effort to get a specific answer to a specific questions about the debt ceiling.)
It concerns me when I hear, "I was for it before I was against it"....
ReplyDeleteSame for the Iraq war, and it's not just her.
DeleteDoes sound Sarah Palinesque, doesn't it?
DeleteHow many times have ANY of these people read the full bill of anything they've voted for or against?
ReplyDeletePresident Albert Gore. There is no rational alternative (since he couldn't persuade Elizabeth Warren to make the race).
ReplyDeleteGryph, you must see (if you haven't already) the video of Don Young pushing through the Steve King presser today. He's crazy as you know. go to @politicovideo -sjp
ReplyDeleteWhat else should she have said when she was working for the Obama administration? It was her job to work for it and endorse it, and now it's her prerogative to address it how and when she sees fit. She has to watch every word she says and every position she takes these days or a special committee will be formed to investigate.
ReplyDeleteShe should have spoken against it if she saw problems with it. How can you endorse something without knowing what's in it? Or was she endorsing it knowing what's in it? She claims she still doesn't know what's in it. I think she's being evasive.
DeleteI have been trying to decide who I will vote for. At first, I was telling people I know to hold your nose and vote for Hillary because Bernie can't win the general. But I am not sure that Hillary can win anymore.
ReplyDeleteSo, I will be voting for Bernie Sanders on March 6 here in Maine. I don't have to hold my nose to vote for Bernie. Bernie has been singing the same song for over 40 years and I like the melody and the lyrics of that tune.
Here in Maine, we have to caucus, which I hate. But I will take my ass down to the fire station like I did for Obama in 2008.
Yes indeed, he got me; I am feeling the Bern.
100000% agree
DeleteBernie Sanders would have a better chance if he ran as an independent. Right now he's a movement, not a presidential candidate. When he becomes Democrat Bernie they'll stay home. Welcome, President Bush.
DeleteThis absolutely solidified my decision to vote for Bernie. I really dislike being pandered too and that's what I feel she is doing with this statement of hers. Very disappointed in her :(
ReplyDeleteSo she's not allowed to change her mind? What if she has new information that made her rethink this? Remember, Obama was against same sex marriage as well. Was he 'pandering' when he came out in support, or did he change his mind? Frankly, Bernie is not the be-all and end-all of progressive thinkers. He is a staunch supporter of Bibi, among other things. I'm going to vote for whomever is our nominee, and right now, I like having two strong voices out there. But I am not ready to turn on Hillary.
DeleteWhy would you say he is a supporter of Bibi? If you have problems with current Israeli policy, you might want to "turn on : Hilary. http://www.salon.com/2015/06/16/bernie_sanders_im_not_a_great_fan_of_benjamin_netanyahu_partner/
DeleteGlad to see her come around, but she waited way to long in my opinion. The real test of her turn around will be, "What is she going to do about it?".
ReplyDeleteAfter watching President Obama cave on some important campaign promises, I'm not going to believe any others' promises without action first
Nobody has been allowed to see the bill except Congress. What we know of what's in the bill was leaked via Wikileaks. Taxpayers and consumers have been carefully excluded from seeing the agreement until after it has been signed.
DeleteClearly you have no idea what's in it either- but by all means keep slamming Hillary for being an ordinary citizen, you drone.
The TPP is all about Obama's & Bush's fixation with China. It's not enough to populate SE Asia and Australasia with more and more US military bases, China has to be excluded from trade agreements as well.
ReplyDeleteBut how funny that what Hillary knows of the TPP probably came courtesy of WikiLeaks.
ReplyDeleteShe said " IT DOES HAVE REAL CONCERNING DETAILS". She has a total right to read, learn and change her mind when the Final details are coming out on this BAD deal for the American people. I respect that FACT!
ReplyDeleteI watched "Ellen" today, and she had Chelsea Clinton as a guest. Don't berate me for it, it's my happy hour home from work.
ReplyDeleteGotta hand it to Ellen, she asked her specific questions together, and Chelsea answered. Ellen said, "you are a politician, you didn't answer a thing I asked."
Do yourself a favor Gryphen and keep in mind what the president said the other day regarding something that Hilary said or did. He said running for election is different than governing.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the last time Hilary will disagree with the president. Right now she is focused on the others in the democratic primary and also the republicans and what they are saying.
Obama did the same and changed some stated views when he went from candidate to president.
Shrillary is the worst possible Democratic Party candidate. Look at the others. She grew up as a Goldwater girl. Her father was a harsd core rethuglican. She is a war monger and very greedy. She will do or say anything to win.
ReplyDeleteAll the chaos in the world right now was caused by and during her tenure as Secretary of State. Kerry would be a better choice as he has worked for peace and justice. Clinton opposed a peace deal in Libya before all h*ll broke out. She has a big f*t ego, but never accomplished anything of note during her public life. (Getting elected is not an accomplishment.) OK she was able to get rich and helped to form a scam foundation.Personally, I think Obama made her Secretary of State to get her out of his domestic political affairs. Her State Dept was also responsible for letting Keystone pipeline get as far as it has. They should have squashed it in it's infancy. The list goes on and on. She's also a drinking buddy of McInsane.
Bravo Hillary! Now maybe she can increase her already double-digit lead over Bernie.
ReplyDeleteIt's hilarious how she is being trashed for taking the same stance -- except her rationale was based on specific things, which she spelled out.
Poor Bernie didn't like it even before he read it.
Maybe that's why so many just laugh at the mention of his name.
Clinton scandals..... she'll be dropping out.
Delete