Obama: Elizabeth Warren Is Simply Wrong On TPP

[Jim Lane]

159. If I misinterpreted your #91, I apologize.

The context: I pointed out an inconsistency. Criticisms of TPP on DU have often been met with the response that it's not yet final so criticisms are premature. Here, however, we have a statement in support of TPP although it's not yet final. If the same standard were being applied, then Obama's statement in support would be consigned to the same dustbin as the many statements in opposition that have been dismissed by some DUers.

In your response, you didn't agree with my pointing out that there was a double standard. Instead, you imputed to me a motive other than logical consistency. You strongly implied that the only reason I was disputing Obama's statement was that he had criticized Warren. You implied that my post was a knee-jerk reaction in defense of Warren personally, rather than being based on the merits.

The logical inference -- well, it seemed and still seems logical to me, anyway -- is that you accused me of having an ulterior motive because you did not think my stated reason was sound. That made it seem that you were accepting of pre-finalization statements of support.

If in fact you reject Obama's statement for the same reason that you reject all the pre-finalization criticisms, then you are being consistent. Your posts thus far have not made clear to me that you reject Obama's statement, but I would be happy to learn that you agree with me that even Obama cannot, at this stage, speak with complete certainty about what the final proposal will look like.