Sanders praises Trump for nixing TPP, delighted to work with him on pro-worker policies

[geek tragedy]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by DonViejo (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Washington Post

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), who campaigned hard against the Trans-Pacific Partnership in last year’s Democratic presidential primaries, praised President Trump for an executive order to officially pull the United States out of the deal.

“I am glad the Trans-Pacific Partnership is dead and gone,” Sanders said. “For the last 30 years, we have had a series of trade deals – including the North American Free Trade Agreement, permanent normal trade relations with China and others – which have cost us millions of decent-paying jobs and caused a ‘race to the bottom’ which has lowered wages for American workers. Now is the time to develop a new trade policy that helps working families, not just multinational corporations. If President Trump is serious about a new policy to help American workers, then I would be delighted to work with him.”


Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/01/23/sanders-praises-trump-for-nixing-tpp-delighted-to-work-with-him-on-pro-worker-policies/?utm_term=.616c4af34cee

---

Rule number 1 when in the minority in DC: Don't praise the majority. EVER.

[Freethinker65]

1. Love you Bernie, but Trump has no pro-worker policies

[Martin Eden]

27. That's why Bernie used the word "If"

Bernie won't hesitate to condemn Trump and point out the lack of such policies IF (when) they don't materialize.

We can count on Senator Sanders to wield that megaphone.

[Freethinker65]

35. But that is not the way it will be reported, and Bernie is usually smarter than that

He has gone back to being a Senator, his profile has been raised, but he is no longer a potential presidential candidate. His fiery follow ups will be outstanding as always, but fewer people will hear them. Instead Trump will boast of bipartisan support for his policies with the great progressive Bernie Sanders leading the way (even Snopes will have to conclude partially true). Real progressives will know the truth, unfortunately the average citizen might be convinced that Trump truly is "reaching across the aisle".

[bananas]

64. The article title is "Sanders, joined by Rust Belt Democrats, praises Trump for nixing TPP"

When I click on the link, I don't see the subject line used by the OP.
This isn't just about Sanders.

From the article:

Most Democrats in Congress opposed the TPP, putting them at odds with the Obama administration. During the campaign, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton came out against the TPP after praising the negotiations that had resulted in it. After the election, Sanders and others saw Trump’s victory as the stake through the heart of the trade deal.

And on Monday, Democrats who, like Sanders, had campaigned against Trump, joined him in saluting the executive order.

“I support President Trump’s issuing of an executive orders that will pull the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and his recent steps to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),” Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) said in a statement. “NAFTA has adversely impacted middle class families in Pennsylvania and the TPP would have cost jobs and hurt income growth, which is why I voted against fast tracking the deal in 2015.”

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) shared a similar reaction on Twitter:

Withdrawing from #TPP & moving to renegotiate #NAFTA are good 1st steps from @POTUS, but more must be done to keep his word to WI workers.

— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) January 23, 2017

[HoneyBadger]

83. Bernie was against TPP before Trump knew what it was

And before Hillary was against it.

It was was the biggest Democratic primary issue.

It is also consistent with Trump's campaign.

Of course they are all cheering.

[Lithos]

53. Bernie also knows that Trump axed the TPP for reasons different than Bernie's reasons

TPP had some good points which were outweighed by the bad points.

Trump didn't like the good points... Bernie didn't like the bad points.

L-

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

80. Thank you for pointing thiz out... Bernie leading again by example.

[Me.]

2. Sigh

[hollowdweller]

3. I think the dems are going to hold his feet to the fire on worker stuff

[geek tragedy]

6. haivng Sanders praise Trump for killing an already dead deal helps Trump politically

We should NEVER help Trump politically. He is the enemy and a usurper, not someone who's looking out for us.

[mobeau69]

12. You are 100% correct n/t

[LisaM]

23. + 1,000,000

This is ridiculous. Every time I open DU, I see Bernie Sanders name all over the place, and it's starting to bother me, especially when it involves stories like this.

He can't possibly think that anything DT does will be pro-worker.

[Bill Fishlore]

32. Pro-Worker Trump?

Nobody, including Trump, knows what Trump will try to accomplish except that it will be something that glorifies Trump. His wild scattering of half-baked ideas and fantastic promises is all propaganda which even he doesn't take seriously. His angry supporters do, but it will take them years to figure out that they have once again been conned by the suits.

Trump has a huge, hyper-sensitive ego. He has made a number of statements which may become wedge issues between him and the congressional GOP. Sanders is holding Trump's feet to the fire in a nice way, forcing him to walk back on his promises. The wall has shrunk into a chicken-wire fence. His better insurance has shrunk into access to better insurance. Each waffle, weasel and walk-back hastens the day when his supporters realize they have been had.

[SylviaD]

70. He must be laughing at Sanders...

...Bernie is acting the perfect "useful idiot" for Drumpf.

[emulatorloo]

95. It's a gaffe. Bernie's prone to that. "identity politics" etc.

That's why many DU'ers spend so very very much time explaining what Bernie "really meant."

His heart is in the right place, but he needs to hire somebody so he doesn't say dumb stuff like this.

[pnwmom]

19. Sanders has already given DT permission to say his policies are pro-worker.

Bernie said so!

[herding cats]

24. This has the exact opposite effect politically.

It adds an air of legitimacy to Trump and his actions, which will be brandished like a club to help make Trump seem reasonable.

Sanders reminds me of Kucinich here, and that is not good.

[LisaM]

57. Nope. Kucinich off the rails today, I see.

We seem to be at a place in our country where the hard left and the hard right are meeting. The problem - as I see it - is that some of the hard left lives in a dream world where they think they can trust the hard right to create this utopian society, and the hard right simply wants to create an autocratic one. We'll maybe end up with more jobs in the US, but they'll pay closer to what they pay in other countries. And I don't think we'll end up with more jobs in the US anyway, witness the bait and switch already taking place with Carrier and the auto companies.

[herding cats]

60. The reality is we're going to lose worker protections.

Not to mention regulations in place to help protect us and the environment will be scrapped.

We're on a path to lose a lot of what people disliked about the TPP in the first place, but I'm not sure they even realize it yet. We're going to have even more job insecurity, fewer rights and more dangers in our work environments. It's as if the 'race to the bottom' is suddenly being led by Usain Bolt.

These are the things our Democratic politicians need to be screaming from the rooftops.

[bettyellen]

4. Running head on into the trap. TPP was dead- why not tell the truth about it? I wonder if he's made

A deal to be quiet about some things? He's going to get played.

[George II]

5. Hard to believe that, but not surprised to see it, either.

[LiberalLovinLug]

28. Hard to believe Bernie would be glad about the death of the TPP?

Hard to believe he would publicly use that development as a way to highlight the deficiencies that affect American workers?

Sanders clearly has taken the strategy, whether you or I like it or not, to find ways, any way he can help steer, if not Trump, then the general conversation in a way that keeps the light on workers rights. Obviously you, me, and even Trump himself knows he has no plan or concern for labor or the working class's plight. It is an opportunity to keep Trumps feet to the fire. And to end it with
"If President Trump is serious about a new policy to help American workers then I would be delighted to work with him.”

Its a setup. Many independents that may have supported him, that had voted for Obama and this time voted Trump because he fooled them into believing he would be better for workers and American jobs by being against the TPP and NAFTA, will be behind Bernie and most Democrats when they say they agree with this one decision. It is politically foolish to not agree.

There are two tactics to take with such a narcissist egomaniac that holds the power of the Presidency. Go full tilt antagonist, where you will soon be shut out and ignored along with the workers concerns you fight for, or pick out the rare decisions that open up a crack to get progressive messages out, even if Trump may be just doing it for other reasons. Because then you have some political capital when Trump shows his true colours later on labor rights and wages.

Some Bernie supporters also wanted him to go full tilt antagonistic against Hillary right through and past the Democratic convention. instead he endorsed Hillary and encouraged his followers to vote for her. And that working with her, and getting her to move to an even more liberal policy paper, was the more productive approach. He has also traditionally worked across the aisle to get progressive legislation added to bills. Why would you think he would alter how he has worked for decades now?

[George II]

31. That's not what I said or even implied. Thank you. BTW, we're not fighting the primaries here.

[LiberalLovinLug]

37. Well...what DO you believe and what DID you imply?

I took my best guess.

And a Hillary backer using any chance he can get to throw a dig at Bernie is NOT re-fighting the primaries? lol

[George II]

38. I didn't imply anything.

[LiberalLovinLug]

41. Well

You didn't say you never implied anything, you said that what I wrote was not what you implied.

Anyways ...red herring semantics.

So what did you mean to say with that one liner? I'm all ears.

[Locrian]

34. Its a setup. yep

It's messaging. Not to the left - but to the right that SOMEONE else also supports jobs etc. Vs attacking and thus strengthening the perception that dems don't care.

i think the left really has to watch the tendency to hunker down and attack all the time. not that you never attack, but you set traps and use (judo like) the enemy's own strength against him.

I'm using a similar strategy with supporters: saying I sure hope he helps workers, then being "surprised" at his appointment of goldman goons. And it works. They heard me on the first part - and now I can use the goldman goons to get them riled. Vs being immediately shut out.

[LiberalLovinLug]

36. You got it

Part of me really really wants Bernie to be Trumps worst public enemy. To organize yuuuuuuge anti-Trump rallies. To be the new American Che Guevara.

But that is not Bernie. I still would love to have that movement and leaders that have those rallies, but its not going to be Bernie because he is smart enough to know how he himself could be used more productively.

[JackRiddler]

55. I think that may be what he is preparing.

It needs to be repeated that Trump's stated focus was on "workers." He will fail workers, of course, and that will be an opening.

But he should have said TPP was already dead, of course.

[joshcryer]

47. The TPP was a dog whistle.

Kind of like the Keystone pipeline. While Keystone was protested 10x as many Keystones were built.

[BainsBane]

102. A trope

and now we see how dangerous it is to give that much power to certain symbols rather than thinking and talking more comprehensively about policy.

[tecelote]

54. +1!

[orangecrush]

59. Outstanding post

Thanks!

[JHan]

7. ***SMH*****

[highplainsdem]

8. If Bernie felt compelled to thank Trump, the IF line there, the last sentence,

should have been first.

Way too easy now for RW media to quote Bernie and just omit the last sentence.

[geek tragedy]

11. he missed a great chance to say nothing nt

[highplainsdem]

13. Agree.

[thesquanderer]

29. re: "the IF line there, the last sentence, should have been first"

As far as I can tell, that WAS the first thing he said about Trump.

So...

"Way too easy now for RW media to quote Bernie and just omit the last sentence."

...there is no Trump quote for them to use that does not include that sentence.

Of course, that doesn't stop "LW" media like the WP from making up a headline that implies he said something that he didn't actually say. (There is no quote in the article that actually supports the headline that everyone here seems to be getting up in arms about.)

[George II]

33. Correct - they'll omit that sentence and present their "alternative facts".

[heaven05]

9. what's to be expected

many who wanted sanders as president, voted for the other GUY. I kid you not. No 'alternative" fact in this one.

[NastyRiffraff]

10. Not at all surprised

Sanders is an opportunist. However, he is being played, apparently very easily and effectively.

[SylviaD]

67. YUP

Time to go away, Sanders.

[bucolic_frolic]

14. Factory towns with pollution

do not address quality of life issues, nor wages, nor income inequality

It's why so many turn to self-employment

[hollowdweller]

15. Yeah TPP hugely unpopular. Democrats should support it???

Which helps Trump more? To define our party as being for free trade which lost us an election or to be on the right side of this popular issue?

I'm really worried in our opposition to Trump, that we not alienate the people who voted for him thinking he was pro worker.

[geek tragedy]

16. Very simple. Just say nothing. Don't ratify anything that he does. nt

[pnwmom]

18. Bernie should have shut up and not given DT free publicity. Geez.

And DT has no pro-workers policies. That's a lot of crap.

[Hekate]

17. As John Dean warned Nixon, "That would be wrong, Bernie."

[Maven]

20. DELIGHTED to work with him

No one who is on our side should be DELIGHTED to work with this illegitimate traitor on anything.

[Red Knight]

81. That makes no sense at all

Throw workers under the bus and push through the TPP because Trump opposed it. Yeah--that's why I'm a Democrat.

Bernie is one of the few people out there in the national spotlight vigorously and loudly opposing Trump at every turn. But why on earth would he oppose him on something that benefits American workers?

You don't govern by being spiteful. You do it by being pragmatic.

[BainsBane]

87. That's like saying

People don't want jobs to stay in the US because they criticize Trump's grandstanding on Ford or Carrier.

Your claim that Bernie is one if the few vigorously opposing Trump is demonstrably false and proven all the more so by the statement in the OP. Most of the congressional black caucus has been far more consistently critical. The effect of that statement on TPP, as we can see in the responses to this thead, is to convince his supporters to credit Trump on this point, since the last thing they will ever concede is that Bernie could possibly be mistaken on anything.

[Red Knight]

93. Did you follow the primary at all?

This was a HUGE deal for Bernie. And anyone watching knows that he pushed Clinton off the support of TPP. But he's not Trump. He doesn't care about "credit". He wants to do what's right for the American worker. So keep hating him for that. That's not my Democratic party. But you enjoy.

[BainsBane]

101. Trump cares about credit

and I don't give a rats ass about the primary. I care about propping Trump up in his pro-billionaire, ANTI-WORKER, fascist agenda.

Another point I made elsewhere applies here. What is so dangerous about Bernie's statement is that it convinces people like you that Trump is acting in the interest of workers. To assume opposition to TPP signals a pro-worker position is mistaken. People opposed that treaty from different points of view. Trump's opposition to TPP is that is offers too much protection for workers and too much regulation of business. But none of that seems to matter anymore. You're convinced anything opposing TPP is pro-worker because that was the position that progressives, including Bernie took. Only that isn't Trump's position, and it's dangerous for you and Bernie to assume it is. And now Trump turns to tearing down worker protection, environmental regulation, and other business regulation. Bernie has made that easier by convincing people like you that Trump is acting in the interest of workers, when that couldn't be further from the truth.

[Blue_Tires]

21. This is why I have my doubts that Bernie is going to really fight Trump

And this isn't the first time he's gone out of his way to praise him, either...

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is shutting us out and moving on with their own deals... Won't see any scrutineering on those agreements from Wikileaks or the anti-globalist left anytime soon...

Regardless, we need to bookmark this quote for a couple of years when Bernie starts railing against Chinese economic dominance...

[KPN]

22. FAKE NEWS! Bernie didn't praise Trump ...

sorry to let you Bernie haters down. Read his statement. The WA Post put words in his mouth.

[onenote]

49. He did so indirectly.

He said he was glad TPP was dead and gone. And since it was Trump that killed it (and Bernie was responding to that), it really is no different that saying " I'm glad President Trump has killed TPP".

[emulatorloo]

96. I love Bernie. It was a stupid thing to say. People make gaffes.

Bernie had made several. He's only human.

[Yavin4]

25. Republicans never praised Obama for anything. Not even for killing OBL.

Giving Trump praise on anything is a huge political mistake. Also, killing the TPP makes China even more powerful in Asia which will hurt American workers and consumers even more.

[SunSeeker]

50. Yep. nt

[msanthrope]

26. "Delighted to work with him."

Yep....another white man I was right about.

[compsports]

30. As one who supported Bernie in the primary

I agree with rule number 1 especially when the majority are actling like facists/nazis.

[kjones]

39. Least he dropped that slap in the face "D" after his name...

All you had to do was be quiet.

Bernie loves to talk though. Trump loves
when Bernie talks too.

His ego is needy...
(Trump's is too.)

[Justice]

40. If Trump (fill in the blank), I would be delighted to work with him.

Bernie issues statements like this over and over again. Problem is Trump never does the (fill in the blank).

[itcfish]

42. Everyone Keeps Forgetting

Bernie is not a democrat.

[NurseJackie]

45. I haven't forgotten.

[Hekate]

58. Nor I. His life's mission has always been to be a gadfly.

[bravenak]

69. Me neither.

[Generator]

43. All those fucking questions at the press conference today

about TPP. You know what? I don't give a SHIT. I care about in order-health care, abortion, rounding up Latinos, Muslims, Social Security and Medicare. With out health care and controlling your own body and taking care of seniors AND Not targeting minorities.We are fighting for our very LIVES.
YES I AM A WOMAN. And yes someone will tell me you can care about both-NO You fucking can't.

Choose your priorities. AND FIGHT. This is meaningless bullshit.

[HoneyBadger]

84. Climate change is the number one priority

The rest is short term

[jalan48]

44. Headline on MSM, "Trump Abandons TPP, Obama's Signature Trade Deal".

Once again Republican's look good even though the TPP was opposed by most Democrats and favored by most Republicans.

[joshcryer]

46. I wonder how he'll feel about China's Super Most Valued Partner trade...

...policy that is about to be enacted.

[Recursion]

48. Ha!

Yeah, I'm sure our new deal with Mexico will require independent unions like NAFTA did

[BeyondGeography]

51. If he thinks he's making Trump look bad with this statement

the Washington Post certainly fixed that for him.

Not the first time Bernie has led with his chin either.

[Mike Nelson]

52. Well...

...I wouldn't call that "praise" exactly, but I have some trouble with the last sentence. Trump may want low wage jobs back here - but with low-to-no minimum wage and worker protections. I hope Bernie knows "working with" Trump and his team would not be in our best interests.

[MosheFeingold]

56. Trump is a populist

We'll get a mixed bag of stuff from him, some good. Most bad.

We're in the minority. We have to take what we can get -- for now.

[geek tragedy]

61. We will get nothing good from him. Nothing.

He is a rightwing populists. Rightwing populists differ from rightwing elitists only in tone.

[BainsBane]

88. He opposes TPP

Because he wants less regulation and fewer worker protections. Yesterday he also told corporate America he would undo 75% of regulation on business. That includes environmental regulations, worker protection, and regulation of finance.

[emulatorloo]

97. He isn't pro-worker. Look at his fucking cabinet. What good is going to come

from all of those predatory capitalists?

[adigal]

62. The TPP was imperfect and sure, maybe I'm glad it's gone, but it leaves a huge gap

and China is going to walk in and eventually clean our clock even more that they have been.

[BlueMTexpat]

63. Very disappointing action

on Bernie's part!

The deal was essentially dead anyway.

[bravenak]

65. Of course. I never thought otherwise

I saw this coming a mile away. Two sides; same coin.

[SylviaD]

66. I didn't think much of Bernie Sanders before this, and now...

...he is dead to me.

Fake, opportunistic, individual.

Basking in the reflected glow of "president" Trump.

Not a real Democrat.

Go away, Bernie. Your 15 minutes is up.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

75. Does that mean

Robert P. Casey Jr. and Tammy Baldwin amongst others is also dead to you?

[BainsBane]

91. Did they publicly laud Trump?

[Red Knight]

82. Somehow I don't think anything changed there. You liked him or didn't.

People are looking to pounce on Bernie for anything because they think he cost Clinton the election. Nothing could be further from the truth. But he'll always wear a black hat for some. Nothing he can do about that. Just keep working for the people Bernie. Many of us still love you and get what you're doing.

The Democratic party has become as much about "team" as the Republican party. Politics in America today is a team sport.

Issues mean little when put up against "team" loyalty.

[BainsBane]

90. And now you're convinced Trump is right on the "issue"

Last edited Tue Jan 24, 2017, 10:58 AM - Edit history (1)

Of workers rights thanks to Bernie. Only you're both wrong. Trump's opposition to TPP is that it regulates too much, not too little. Yesterday he also promised to undo 75% of regulations on business. That means worker protection, environmental regulation, and financial regulation.

[Red Knight]

94. Yesterday only had to do with taking TPP off the table

That's it.

The 75 percent reduction in regulations did not happen. Bernie did not support it and obviously won't. He's not cheering Trump--he's cheering the issue. If you can't see the difference I don't know what to tell you. Yes--let's hate the fact that Trump didn't put it back on the table and run with it. Let's hate that because it's not politically good to have him do anything at all that we might agree with. This isn't about politics. It's about people's lives. If you want to hate Bernie for supporting the good things that's your problem. This party will never win a thing again if that kind of silly outrage continues to split the party.

[BainsBane]

98. I'm talking about the issue

and you are ignoring it because of your admiration for Bernie. You assume opposition to TPP must be pro-worker because that was the position of progressives, including Bernie. That is not Trump's position. It's dangerous for Bernie and you to assume it is.

[adigal]

72. So now there is a vacuum that China is already planning to step into

Maybe making changes tomthe TPP would have been far wiser. We are going ro get our clock cleaned by China on this. They are gleefully rubbing their hands.

[betsuni]

73. K&R

[Fast Walker 52]

74. NO ONE on the left should be praising Trump in any way shape or form

uggh, Bernie... he's really starting to bother me now.

[stonecutter357]

76. I am not at all surprised !

[bowens43]

77. of course there are many here who beleive

that we should oppose anything and everything proposed by this administration no matter the cost to the average American......I'm sorry remind me again what is the difference between 'us' and 'them'?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

78. i think its reasonable for us to not want our own to praise him so effusively

[HopeAgain]

79. The Bernie obsession continues..

Last edited Tue Jan 24, 2017, 10:34 AM - Edit history (1)

on BOTH sides. Bernie will not run again for President in 4 years and, as is repeatedly pointed out, he is an Independent, not a Democrat.

Maybe he is more interested in American workers than in how his every move makes Trump look? Trump is doing fine making himself look like an idiot.

I had an argument with a Republican family member a couple years ago and complained about the obstructionism. The response was "we aren't going to play patty-cake with Obama.". I was disgusted. Are we going to become them?

I guess there's never a time to put people before politics for us either?

[emulatorloo]

100. Bernie's the New Democratic Outreach Chair. He's very visible and will talk to the press.

Not sure why you think Bernie will go away?

[Cha]

85. It was already dead. Why is BS praising trump for it when it was already

gone? That doesn't make any sense.

There's that word "delighted" again.. covering for trump.. normalizing him. Maybe he could think about what a sociopathic psychopath trump is and stop trying to normalize the asshole.

[alarimer]

86. It will never happen and Sanders knows this.

Just words. Yet more opportunity for Sanders-bashing here, even though it's what we should do if Trump manages to do anything right. He won't so, this is just for show, really.

[randome]

89. When you're running against a Democrat, trash them all you can.

But when you're running against Republican policies, try to be sweet about it.

I know where this ends. Sanders will soon join Ed what's-his-name on channel RT.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Everything is a satellite to some other thing.[/center][/font][hr]

[mcar]

92. Oh goody, now Twitler can claim bipartisan support

Nice job Bernie.

[highplainsdem]

99. I was surfing cable news this morning. Noticed Fox & Friends gleeful about Bernie's statement.

[DonViejo]

103. Locking...

From the SOP of the LBN Forum (emphasis added)

Post the latest news from reputable mainstream news websites and blogs. Important news of national interest only. No analysis or opinion pieces. No duplicates. News stories must have been published within the last 12 hours. Use the published title of the story as the title of the discussion thread.