With the fight over Fast Track authority in full swing and the battle lines drawn between progressive voices opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and corporate-backed forces rallying in its favor, a growing chorus of voices want Hillary Clinton—who recently made her presidential bid for 2016 official—to take a definitive stance on the controversial trade pact that so clearly represents the power struggle between the interests of big business on one hand, and transparency, democracy, and an economic system that protects workers, the planet, and the public good on the other.
On Tuesday, Clinton made what were widely regarding as milquetoast statements on the pending agreement, saying: “Any trade deal has to produce jobs and raise wages and increase prosperity and protect our security.”
But as Politico reports Thursday:
Democratic lawmakers intent on preventing fast-track authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership are calling on Clinton to take a more definitive stance on the legislation, hoping that she can tip the scales against President Barack Obama’s position.
The furthest Clinton has gone is to say that whatever agreement is reached needs to protect American workers and have appropriate safeguards. But Clinton owes it to voters — and to the Democratic Party — to more explicitly spell out her views on such a critical issue, a number of Democrats on Capitol Hill who oppose the fast-track authority and the emerging multination agreement told POLITICO.
And according to the Wall Street Journal: