As a Obama supporter I'd like to see him tell the voters in Pennsylvania

[Joanne98]

That he will fillibuster the Colombian free trade agreement if it comes up in the Senate. That put's him one up on Hillary and throw's the debate back to the FTA.

[Bensthename]

1. Some PA companies are shutting down this week due to NAFTA. Obama should jump on that.

[jody]

2. IMO BO does not have the moral courage to filibuster that treaty. Of course he could prove me wrong.

[Joanne98]

4. He won't have to have the courage. It's not getting out of the house.

If he assures the working class voters that he will make sure it never passes by fillibuster, (his first one) He will win them over. They will believe he's on their side. For real! Hillary won't promise to use the fillibuster, she needs Wall Street too much. McCain will support it, again, I think it a great move!

[jody]

8. So your point is BO should "promise" because he will not have to honor his "promise". Good Point

and BO is excellent at that.

[Joanne98]

13. Nothing's guaranteened. it may come up. Personally I don't know why

politicians are so afraid to stand up to FTA's. I guess they're afraid of Wall Street. But it would be nice to see somebody take a real stand. it's worth the risk.

[Hepburn]

15. So.......

...it took moral courage for Hilly to support NAFTA and the Bankruptcy reform bill?

[jody]

17. No, HC loses on those issues. n/t

[tekisui]

3. I don't think it is going to come up this year.

At least not in the House. Is it going to be in the Senate?

[Joanne98]

6. I don't think so. Reid would have to bring it up and he's not going to unless

Pelosi does.

[tekisui]

9. Pelosi took action to stop it from coming up this year.

So, it's gonna sit until we have a Dem in the WH.

[babylonsister]

5. I think Pelosi has already put the kibosh on that.

http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48745947_nancy-pelosi-floor-statement-colombia-free-trade-a

Here's her prepared remarks:

“Mr. Speaker, the vote of the House today is a vote to put the economic priorities of the American people first.

“It is my hope that we will vote to merely remove the timetable on the Colombia free trade agreement so we can focus on restoring America’s economic strength and being to create jobs again. We will do so for three reasons.

“First and foremost—the White House sent it without the votes to pass.

“Second, we have concerns still about the treatment and safety of Colombian workers.

“Third, the President has made this a key part of his legacy—so we know the American worker now has some power in this negotiation about what could accompany a Colombia trade deal.

“With this vote today, we have put the leverage back into the hands of America’s working families.

“I counseled the President against sending the Colombia Free Trade Agreement this week because we need additional time to reach a negotiated path forward. This was particularly critical given that the Administration’s failure to secure the necessary votes for the agreement could jeopardize our long-standing relationship with a crucial ally.

“By his actions on Tuesday, the President abandoned the traditions of consultation that have governed past agreements. In fact, the action in the House today is more in keeping of the spirit of the rules than the White House’s move to force a vote.

“Most significantly, all of our energies must be focused today and in the days ahead on alleviating the real economic hardship families are feeling and taking tangible steps to get our economy back on track. This vote gives us that leverage.

“As I told the President, all of the evidence points to the economic downturn becoming more serious, as evidenced by the employment numbers released on Friday, the statements by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and now as recently as yesterday, former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan.

“So we will put this agreement to the side today so that we can continue to work to address the needs of American families.

“We have legislation ready for action that would further address the mortgage lending crisis and we are ready to work with the President on a second stimulus package to get our economy back on track and creating jobs. That must be our first priority.”

Source: Speaker Nancy Pelosi

[Joanne98]

7. Do you know this is the first trade agreement that hasn't passed since they

started making them. it's a first. Bush will fight hard because of his "legency".

[babylonsister]

11. It's nice to see the Dems finally pushing back! Maybe they finally

realized this man is on the way out and they don't have to follow in lockstep. Seems a bit late for * to try to salvage something for his 'legacy'. This illegal occupation will be defining that.

And no, I didn't realize that.

[OzarkDem]

10. I'd like to see him explain his vote on the energy bill

I'm sure they would be interested in hearing about that.

He should also explain how voters who he holds in such obvious contempt can trust him to work on their behalf if he's elected.

[jody]

12. Why resist, look into my eyes, you are getting sleepy , chant "Hope, Change, Blame"

[antigop]

14. Can you filibuster a trade agreement? Doesn't "fast track" allow the agreement to come up for an

up or down vote by both Houses?

Can you filibuster a trade agreement that is on "fast track"?


<edit to add> According to wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_track_(trade)
>>
Fast track negotiating authority (also called Trade Promotion Authority, TPA) for trade agreements is the authority of the President of the United States to negotiate agreements that the Congress can approve or disapprove but cannot amend or filibuster
>>

CANNOT AMEND OR FILIBUSTER

[antigop]

16. Answer to question: NO, I don't think you can't filibuster a trade agreement

I updated previous post with link from wikipedia.