Sanders Questions Why Clinton Won't Take A Stand On Pacific Trade Deal

[Purveyor]

By HOLLY RAMER Associated Press
May 27, 2015 — 2:11pm

CONCORD, N.H. — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says he doesn't understand why his Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton hasn't taken a position on the sweeping trade deal the Obama administration is negotiating with Pacific nations.

A day after launching his presidential campaign, Sanders returned to New Hampshire, where a blunt voter, Jeanny Aldrich, told him she doesn't want Sanders merely to siphon votes from Clinton. Aldrich wants him to give the Clinton campaign a thrashing.

Sanders replied that he's never run a negative campaign and won't start now. But he says the campaign should feature civil debate on serious issues, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal he opposes. Clinton, who launched her presidential campaign in April, has expressed qualms about the agreement without weighing in for or against it.

http://www.startribune.com/sanders-wants-clinton-to-take-stand-on-trade-deal/305213261/

[libdem4life]

1. Trade deal? What trade deal?

[BeyondGeography]

2. The questioner is astute

If this candidacy is really about defeating Clinton, Bernie will have to attack her just about every day on the campaign trail and support those attacks with negative ads. A gentlemanly discussion of the issues will get him a pat on the head at best.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. I think I would dispute this.

First, the campaign is not about defeating Clinton. It's about winning the nomination. Clinton could self-destruct tomorrow, and Bernie would pretty much have the same problems from the Establishment media.

Second, the "gentlemanly discussion" will focus on policy issues rather than personalities, as it should.

You're advocating conventional political strategies and "wisdom." It so happens that Bernie's political strategy is, and always has been, to fight clean. If you check carefully into his record, you might find that he has already won an election or 2 doing it his way.

[peacebird]

4. ^^^this!^^^

[BeyondGeography]

5. The nomination goes through Clinton

I think he's being unrealistic. Unless he's being realistic, of course. The reality being that, barring an implosion, he has no chance to win, but his candidacy still has value if he takes the high road.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. I disagree for a variety of reasons, but that's what makes horse races.

The events will unroll in due time.

[joshcryer]

10. There's a difference between nasty and critical.

We see nasty commentary on internet forums. Sanders shows critical commentary in his campaign rhetoric.

[Wilms]

6. ^

[antigop]

8. now, now, Bernie -- you know EXACTLY why she's a coward on this issue.

If she comes out FOR it, she ticks off unions and people who have to work for a living.

If she comes out AGAINST it, she ticks off Wall Street and her corporate donors.

She's boxed in.

[joshcryer]

11. Clinton will come out for it.

Once everyone has gone over it and the dust settles.

[BrotherIvan]

12. Her campaign wanted it to "go away"

I think she won't say much about it. Like most things. Except the already popular thoroughly poll tested ones. Those are ok.

[joshcryer]

13. I see it two ways.

If she comes out against it she can't channel Obama's achievements.

If she comes out for it she can act as if it's a testbed, and also support Obama's achievements.

I expect she'll have a "I support it, but if it doesn't work, I will modify it where it has issues." She'll channel ISDS and human trafficking too, probably.

There's too great a risk for her not to support it.

But she might not until after the primaries, we'll see. There's at least 2 months before we see the text after it passes. Then another 4 months before it's voted upon. That's well into primary territory.

[BrotherIvan]

14. You're probably right

Her State Department was integral in negotiating the damn thing but now she'll wait to see what's in it? We're going to be in for a long primary season of words that don't really specify anything and lots of Elizabeth Warren impersonations.

[4dsc]

15. Hammer meet nail

Thanks for pointing out what most people already know.

[quadrature]

9. Bernie should follow HRC around, and have a press conference,

in the same town. every time Hillary has one of her
so-called roundtables.

I expect the Republicans will do the same