Seeking Trade Votes, Obama Offers Help To Dems Who Vote Yes

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

Jun 9, 3:34 AM (ET)
B y JOSH LEDERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has an offer for Democrats who fear political attacks if they back his trade agenda: Give me your vote now, and I'll have your back come re-election next year.

Days from a critical House vote, it's still far from certain Obama can muster enough votes. Although Republican leaders in Congress strongly support the budding trade deals, Obama has little leverage with individual GOP lawmakers. So the president has been dangling a carrot in front of Democrats in the form of a promise to campaign for them in 2016 if they face primary challenges or attacks by unions that have vehemently opposed his trade agenda.

White House officials have sought to differentiate Obama's offer of support from the more heavy-handed tactics they say the unions are deploying to scare Democrats. On Monday, the AFL-CIO said it was ramping up its television ad campaign attacking Democrats who have backed the trade bill — and warning those on the fence not to make the same choice.

"I'm not going to hypothesize about not getting it done," Obama, attending a Group of Seven meeting in Germany, said Monday when asked whether he had enough votes. "I intend to get it done."

Read more: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20150609/us--obama-trade_politics-af1035808e.html

[PearliePoo2]

1. Just say NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Obama, you are so wrong on this one. Damn..damn...damn.

[djean111]

2. Obama could show up at my front door, and I would not vote for any "Dem" who votes yes.

In fact, if this thing gets rammed greasily through, and is as bad as it looks like it is, then I would consider an Obama endorsement not a good thing.

[jwirr]

3. This game is not new. But those candidates should be aware that if this passes they will be held

accountable for it and no amount of help from the President who signed it will change that.

[erronis]

10. I wish you were right but how many voters actually remember when it comes time to vote?

Especially if the PR machine is in full force and Muzak(km) is playing.

[jwirr]

14. They seeem to remember NAFTA, bailing out the banks.

[global1]

4. Just Like Our Congress - Save Themselves At The Expense Of Their Constituents.......nt

[on point]

5. Vote no. Obama's support on this is actually a huge NEGATIVE, not a positive. Don't sell out.

[fredamae]

6. I don't care what he does

to "help" sen wyden...he's lost our votes here...and he's had them since 1996.

[MisterP]

7. he's got our backs, he's got his comfy shoes, BARACK AND ROLL DEMS WILL WIN EVERY SEAT IN CONGRESS

[red dog 1]

8. "Give me your vote now, and I'll have your back come re-election next year"?

In light of his current poll numbers, I would think that most House & Senate Dems would rather NOT have Obama campaign for them next year.

"BUSH NOW MORE POPULAR THAN OBAMA"
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/03/politics/obama-approval-rating-cnn-poll/

[PearliePoo2]

9. I've supported my Senators Murray and Cantwell forever.

Last edited Tue Jun 9, 2015, 03:43 PM - Edit history (1)

But on this one...shame ..shame...SHAME on you Patty and Maria.
I voted for President Obama twice. I cried during his acceptance speech in Chicago.
Sadly, I would close my front door to him now too. (djean111).

[Enrique]

11. He's got some work to do

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/04/us-usa-trade-boehner-idUSKBN0OK1ZQ20150604

Boehner: Obama must produce Democratic votes for trade bill

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said on Thursday he was working to get a controversial fast-track trade bill passed and that President Barack Obama must produce more Democratic votes for it.

"He's got some work to do too," Boehner said.

[stuffmatters]

12. TPP and Fast Track are anti-Democratic, they're Dem brandkillers just like NAFTA

NAFTA will forever be blamed on Democrats (Clinton) not Republicans. It seriously damaged Dem turnout in 2000. When Dems vote against their own party's principles and majority, the betrayal is both painful and profound.

Obama's support for these ALEC Dems who vote for fast track & TPP will be seen as a repugnant reward for doubling crossed their Dem
constituents and surrendering our democratic sovereignty to corporate rule. There's a point at which you lose even the "lesser evil"
argument in motivating voters to vote.

[tonybgood]

13. It will not be enough.

If you are a Democrat and you vote for this monstrosity, expect a primary challenge. No amount of money or party influence will convince me to vote for any Democrat who supports TPP. Any.