Progressive Breakfast: Explaining The "Revolt" Against the TPP

MORNING MESSAGE

The 2016 political races are being buffeted by “a transpartisan, nationwide trade revolt” against trade deals that have been rigged to benefit wealthy corporations at the expense of the rest of us, says Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, in this Burning Issues video.

CLINTON AND WARREN HEAD TO OHIO

Clinton and Warren stump together today in Ohio. NYT: “The joint Ohio event comes as the campaign enters the final stretch before the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, where Mr. Sanders has vowed to take his liberal agenda to the party, even if it means a fight or protests.”
Sanders supporters moving toward Clinton. NBC: “… the newest NBC/WSJ poll finds that Bernie Sanders supporters are slowly — but surely — coming to Clinton’s side … 78% of Sanders supporters are picking Clinton, while 10% back Trump … But in a four-way ballot — where Clinton’s lead is reduced to one point — 63% of Sanders supporters are behind Clinton, 14% pick the Green Party’s Jill Stein, 9% back Trump, and 8% are for Libertarian Johnson.”
Clinton child care plan could use more pressure on business, argues Brittany Bronson in NYT oped: “[Her plan is] close to comprehensive when measured against her rival’s … but it doesn’t place any onus on, or provide incentives to, large companies … A mere 7 percent of American businesses offer on-site child care…”

SANDERS KNOCKS PLATFORM DRAFT

Sanders criticizes aspects of draft platform. The Hill: “[Said Sanders,] ‘…we lost some very important fights. We’re going to take that fight to Orlando, where the entire committee meets in two weeks, and if we don’t succeed there, we’re certainly going to take it to the floor of the Democratic convention.’ … The platform draft committee [adopted] language in support of a $15 minimum wage … abolishing the death penalty and expanding Social Security [and] by calling for ‘an updated and modernized version of Glass-Steagall.’ But the panel refused to adopt a proposed amendment … that would have opposed President Obama on the Trans-Pacific Partnership … It also rejected amendments putting a national freeze on fracking, imposing a carbon tax and promoting a single-payer healthcare system.”
But platform drafting committee member Rep. Barbara Lee praises platform as “truly progressive platform draft”. Politico quotes: “I recognize there are bound to be some who are disappointed with the outcome. But our Party’s platform has always been both aspirational and imperfect. In fact, on issues like climate change, I voted with Senator Sanders, and didn’t get everything I was hoping for … as a member of Congress, I will continue to oppose TPP.”
Sanders hits trail for down-ballot candidates. W. Post: “The [Syracuse] crowd was … just 500 people — but technically, they were not there for Sanders. The senator was rallying for a 70-year-old academic named Eric Kingson, who is running for Congress … Since June 16, when he asked supporters to run for office, at least 21,000 said they would — or at least hit the streets to help.

DEMS RECRUIT FOR HOUSE RACES

Dems optimistic about taking House. Politico: “…Democrats are diving into the forbidding district-by-district math, scrutinizing under-the-radar and cash-starved House candidates … The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this week capped a late recruiting surge … adding a final candidate in Florida before Friday’s filing deadline…”
But Dems can’t take back Senate on Trump fallout alone. Roll Call: “Not when many well-funded Republican candidates have worked diligently to craft their own identities with the electorate — or when they can credibly claim to be different than their unique presidential standard-bearer … a flurry of new ads and releases last week demonstrate a renewed focus on their opponents’ records as much as their connection to Trump.”
Many Republicans avoiding convention podium. Politico: “…POLITICO contacted more than 50 prominent governors, senators, and House members to gauge their interest in speaking. Only a few said they were open to it…”

LABOUR CRACKUP

UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faces intra-party ouster in Brexit fallout. The Telegraph: “Jeremy Corbyn has lost more than half his Cabinet and seen more than 30 of his MPs revolt against his leadership over the last 48 hours … Sources said that Mr Corbyn will refuse to step down and will instead try and make public a planned secret vote on his future so that voters can see which MPs are trying to unseat him.”
Team Corbyn defiant. The Guardian: “A source close to Corbyn said the number of resignations was destabilising but ultimately irrelevant unless someone triggered a leadership election. ‘In many ways, the shadow cabinet is now stronger … The only way to try to replace Jeremy is to stand against him in a democratic contest,’ he said, adding that was now ‘likely to happen.'”
Brexit may not happen. Politico: “A referendum is not legally binding. In pure constitutional terms it is merely advisory. You can repeat the exercise as wanted, as long as the irrevocable Article 50 formalizing the U.K.’s divorce from Brussels hasn’t been invoked.”

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