TPP and Presidential Politics

[bobloblaw]

I predict that TPP will give Sanders and Trump a huge boost in their standing for the party nominations. I also predict Hillary will do everything she can to avoid taking a position on TPP and will literally flee any reporter who asks her (Most mainstream media will not ask her about TPP because they dont want to embarrass her). While the GOP candidates except Trump will all support it (Carson will give some strange answer).

But TPP is an issue served on a platter to Trump and Sanders.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Yes, I imagine Trump will have a field day.  HOW DO YOU STAND ON OBAMA'S FREE TRADE DEAL

[RFayette]

Can't wait to see the mess that ensues when TPP is passed through Congress with mostly Republican support early next year as Trump rails against them.

The GOP's support has increased almost exclusively over the past 20 years in areas that are against free-trade agreements, so yeah, that could be troublesome.

[Simfan34]

If the Republican Party dithers on free trade they might quite literally find themselves going broke in short order.

[bobloblaw]

If the Republican Party dithers on free trade they might quite literally find themselves going broke in short order.

Free trade is why the GOP hasnt won PA, MI, WI since 1988

[RFayette]

If the Republican Party dithers on free trade they might quite literally find themselves going broke in short order.

Free trade is why the GOP hasnt won PA, MI, WI since 1988

I doubt it.  A lot more anti-free traders are Republicans now than in 1988. 

[Rockefeller GOP]

If you're against free trade, you're 1) short sighted and 2) should switch parties if you're in the GOP.

Boblow or whatever would not have been a Republican 50 years ago and shouldn't be one now.

[RFayette]

If you're against free trade, you're 1) short sighted and 2) should switch parties if you're in the GOP.

Boblow or whatever would not have been a Republican 50 years ago and shouldn't be one now.

Why is this relevant at all?   

[/]

It'll probably help those who oppose it, especially on the Democratic side. I could see Sanders, O'Malley, etc. exploiting Hillary's indecisiveness at the debate, but I don't know if they will.

[Rockefeller GOP]

If you're against free trade, you're 1) short sighted and 2) should switch parties if you're in the GOP.

Boblow or whatever would not have been a Republican 50 years ago and shouldn't be one now.

Why is this relevant at all?   

Because the only types of voters who have trended toward our party in the past 20 years are folks who were previously skeptical of our fiscal principles and only gave us a look when we shamelessly appealed to their racism, xenophobia or homophobia.  Don't want those folks in my party at all.

[Mehmentum]

Democratic voters opposing free trade is a myth.

Most democrats actually support Obama on free trade.

Republican voters are more conflicted on free trade.  The fact that congressional voting doesn't represent this is a testament to the power of special interests.

[Bull Moose Base]

Decent argument from Ezra Klein that this is not smart politically.

http://www.vox.com/2015/10/8/9477965/hillary-clinton-tpp

One thing he leaves out is that one big advantage over Sanders in the primary is much stronger support among minorities. Especially if Biden gets in, her distancing herself from Obama carries some small risk to fumble away that advantage.