Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), a friend of Hillary Clinton, on Tuesday suggested that the former secretary of state would change her position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, prompting the Clinton campaign to quickly push back against McAuliffe’s claim.
“I worry that if we don’t do TPP, at some point China’s going to break the rules — but Hillary understands this,” McAuliffe told Politico. “Once the election’s over, and we sit down on trade, people understand a couple things we want to fix on it but going forward we got to build a global economy.”
And when asked if he believes Clinton will reverse her opposition to the TPP if she is elected president, McAuliffe said, “Yes. Listen, she was in support of it. There were specific things in it she wants fixed.”
A spokesman for the governor later clarified to Politico that while McAuliffe supports the TPP, “he has no expectation Secretary Clinton would change her position on the legislation and she has never told him anything to that effect.”
And John Podesta quickly pushed back against McAuliffe’s comments, noting that Clinton has long opposed the TPP — she came out against the trade deal last year.
Love Gov. McAuliffe, but he got this one flat wrong. Hillary opposes TPP BEFORE and AFTER the election. Period. Full stop.
— John Podesta (@johnpodesta) July 27, 2016
Trade and specifically the TPP became a big issue in the Democratic primary, as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) came out strongly against the trade deal. Sanders’ supporters place a lot of emphasis on Sanders’ position on trade, and his delegates have made their opposition to the TPP clear at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia.
Shhh, Terry, we’re trying to get along.
Why is it always Hillary family and friends cause her the most trouble
This is why McAuliffe was such a disaster as DNC chair and 2008 Clinton campaign manager – he fails to engage his brain before opening his mouth.
Terry, Debbie is waiting for you at a table over THERE!
As I understand Clinton’s position, she was against the gold standard of trade deals “in its present form.” So, I infer that merely changing the meaning of what “is” is would satisfy her. She’ll be signing it, without a doubt.
But it’s not a trade deal. It’s a corporate governance deal. It embraces slavery. It eviscerates our ability to control own own environment. It inhibits the availability of life-saving medications. It will accelerate the decline of the middle class.
Terry MacAuliffe was a prime force behind Clinton’s “Third Way” auction of party principles to corporate interests. He personifies the Third Way: call one’s self a Democrat but peddle influence like a Republican. He and his boss were two of the reasons many abandoned the party, because the party abandoned us.
And he’s spot on – the Clinton II dynasty will be a continuation of this insult to people who have to take shower after work before hugging their kids. He should know.
And he’ll be appointing Tim Kaine’s replacement in the Senate should by some stroke of fortune they manage to beat Trump. That should provide Corey Booker and Chuck Schumer and the rest of the neoliberal “Democrats” with some reinforcement as they sell us all down the river.