Pro-Business Types Worried About Obama's Possible Pick As Trade Rep?
Here's something that will give a bit of cheer to progressives worried about the direction of the Obama administration: His rumored choice for U.S. Trade Representative, Congressman Xavier Becerra, is reportedly worrying some pro-big business and free-trade types.
The possibility that Obama might award the post to Becerra -- who professed his regret for voting for NAFTA, opposed the Central American Free Trade Agreement, and once pronounced U.S. trade policy as "broken" -- is already being praised by some progressives. David Sirota sees it as a sign that "Obama is serious about reforming our trade policies."
And now Business Week reports on some rumblings of opposition from the pro-business and free-trade camp:
Philip Levy, who's now with the conservative American Enterprise Institute, told the mag that the choice is "troubling," arguing that "to oppose Nafta is in many ways to lash out symbolically against trade." A business lobbyist added to the mag that he and his colleagues are "pretty concerned."
One thing that liberals will be watching closely is to see how Obama reacts in the face of corporate opposition, should Becerra be the pick and should business groups oppose it. This will get particularly intense scrutiny in the wake of the news today that Obama has dropped plans to impose a windfall profits tax on oil companies.
"news today that Obama has dropped plans to impose a windfall profits on oil companies."
You mean a tax? If that's what you are talking about, it might be smart. With gas prices dropping like stones bets are that their profits are going to tank too.
December 3, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, after clicking on the link, I see I've pre-plagerized the title of the post. Great.
December 3, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is pre-plagiarizing even plagiarizing?
December 3, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know, but I spouted-off before I clicked the link, and it's title was exactly what I'd just said. So I guess it isn't plagiarizing, but it sure looks like I didn't have an original thought!
December 3, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
aargh, mistake, fixing
December 3, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
... reportedly worrying some pro-big business and free-trade types.
Which is exactly what the person in that job SHOULD be doing.
December 3, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Big business needs to wake up to the fact that - like the rest of us - they just aren't going to get everything they ask for, which is exactly what they got with the last administration (and look where it got us). They need to just deal with it and work as best they can with Obama and his trade rep - whoever that is - to do what's best for American workers and consumers, in addition to what's best for business.
December 3, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, so they're "concerned"... what are they going to do about it?
December 3, 2008 4:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, well Obama has spent lots of time reassuring centrists, Wall Street and business folks with his economic team picks and foreign policy picks. Surely he has built up enough capital to throw us lefties at least one nice, crunchy bone like this.
December 3, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Look I do not know much about Philip Levy but to say that, "arguing that to oppose Nafta is in many ways to lash out symbolically against trade." Here is the real nuts and bolts as I see it 1) how much of our GDP is tied to Nafta
2) what other free trade agreements does the US have and how much do they represent of our GDP. I mitgh be wrong but it would seem to me that any expert who states that criticism aimed at Nafta thus equates as a "full court press" on all US trade is a moron.
At a bare minimum I think we can all agree that two many fo the gains from NAFTA in all three cuntries have served the corporate sector at the expense of public investment and infrastructure.
December 3, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is the name of the aide that said this and if it is something that has been confirmed by the Obama transition why can't they reveal their names? It's being reported as fact so what's the deal with the name? I really hate they way the news is sometimes reported.
December 3, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
After the discourse on strategic leaks and about 3 weeks Transition history, I would have hoped that Sargent would see the Game for the trees
The Game: Leaks dissipate criticism in advance..24 hour attention span...by the time Obama makes the official announcement, the pundits have already pissed away their 24 hours of attention span
Same thing happened with Lieberman..same thing happened with Summers Geithner..same thing happened with Gates
U.S. Trade Representative, Congressman Xavier Becerra
December 3, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have it on good authority that former Congressman Tim Roemer is #1 on DCI short list
I'd share details Greg but then I'd have to kill you
December 3, 2008 7:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Free trade garners the country period. That is an indisputable fact. HOWEVER, there are certain provisions that need to be upheld so we will see.
December 3, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
listening closely to Obamas campaign I thought he would lean towards the populist side of trade and commerce.
After Clinton the president sold labor down the river with trade deals we need a president that will reverse this transfer of wealth and jobs overseas.
December 4, 2008 2:25 AM | Reply | Permalink