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Trade Issue Goes Untouched as Obama and Reid Meet Trade Issue Goes Untouched as Obama and Reid Meet
(7 months later)
WASHINGTON — President Obama met with Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, at the White House on Monday but made no effort to change Mr. Reid’s mind on the trade initiative that has divided them, according to Democrats briefed on the session. WASHINGTON — President Obama met with Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, at the White House on Monday but made no effort to change Mr. Reid’s mind on the trade initiative that has divided them, according to Democrats briefed on the session.
Last week, the day after Mr. Obama vowed to fight for additional authority to negotiate trade deals with Europe and Asia, Mr. Reid, the majority leader, effectively slammed the door on the idea and publicly warned the president not to push it. The White House said Mr. Obama would keep pressing for his initiative because it would bolster the economy and create jobs.Last week, the day after Mr. Obama vowed to fight for additional authority to negotiate trade deals with Europe and Asia, Mr. Reid, the majority leader, effectively slammed the door on the idea and publicly warned the president not to push it. The White House said Mr. Obama would keep pressing for his initiative because it would bolster the economy and create jobs.
But when Mr. Obama and Mr. Reid sat down on Monday, trade did not come up, according to the Democrats. Instead, the discussion focused on the coming midterm elections, in which Republicans could capture control of the upper chamber if they pick up six seats.But when Mr. Obama and Mr. Reid sat down on Monday, trade did not come up, according to the Democrats. Instead, the discussion focused on the coming midterm elections, in which Republicans could capture control of the upper chamber if they pick up six seats.
Also present were Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Guy Cecil, the committee’s executive director. Democrats, who said the meeting had been scheduled before Mr. Reid’s comments last week, are seeking political help from Mr. Obama. Despite the president’s sagging poll numbers, he remains an effective fund-raiser and can motivate the party base in some parts of the country.Also present were Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Guy Cecil, the committee’s executive director. Democrats, who said the meeting had been scheduled before Mr. Reid’s comments last week, are seeking political help from Mr. Obama. Despite the president’s sagging poll numbers, he remains an effective fund-raiser and can motivate the party base in some parts of the country.
The dispute over trade, though, highlights the challenges facing Mr. Obama as he tries to advance his agenda in a campaign year. As he negotiates trade pacts with Europe and Asia, he wants Congress to give him authority to submit agreements for up-or-down votes, as previous presidents have been able to do, rather than allowing lawmakers to amend them. So-called fast-track authority is viewed as essential to passing any agreements, and it is one area where the president and Republicans agree.The dispute over trade, though, highlights the challenges facing Mr. Obama as he tries to advance his agenda in a campaign year. As he negotiates trade pacts with Europe and Asia, he wants Congress to give him authority to submit agreements for up-or-down votes, as previous presidents have been able to do, rather than allowing lawmakers to amend them. So-called fast-track authority is viewed as essential to passing any agreements, and it is one area where the president and Republicans agree.
But the Democratic base, particularly labor unions and environmental activists, has long been skeptical of such trade agreements, and Mr. Reid opposes giving the authority to the president. “Everyone would be well advised just to not push this right now,” he said the day after Mr. Obama’s State of the Union address.But the Democratic base, particularly labor unions and environmental activists, has long been skeptical of such trade agreements, and Mr. Reid opposes giving the authority to the president. “Everyone would be well advised just to not push this right now,” he said the day after Mr. Obama’s State of the Union address.
Republicans have needled Mr. Obama about the schism. “He’s absolutely right,” Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, said of Mr. Obama on Monday. “But now the president’s own party is now standing in the way of getting anything done. So if ever there was a moment for the president to use his phone, this is it.”Republicans have needled Mr. Obama about the schism. “He’s absolutely right,” Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, said of Mr. Obama on Monday. “But now the president’s own party is now standing in the way of getting anything done. So if ever there was a moment for the president to use his phone, this is it.”
Mr. Obama’s aides said he would continue to seek the authority. “These trade agreements would significantly boost our exports,” Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, said shortly before the meeting with Mr. Reid. “And the president’s going to push hard for this because he believes it’s the right thing to do for our economy, the right thing to do for American workers.”Mr. Obama’s aides said he would continue to seek the authority. “These trade agreements would significantly boost our exports,” Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, said shortly before the meeting with Mr. Reid. “And the president’s going to push hard for this because he believes it’s the right thing to do for our economy, the right thing to do for American workers.”
But Mr. Obama did not make that case to Mr. Reid when he had the chance. White House officials are trying to avoid a public fight that they see as self-destructive. Asked before the meeting if the president would raise the issue, Mr. Carney suggested it did not have to come up on that particular day because Mr. Obama and Mr. Reid were in regular communication. “They talk all the time,” he said.But Mr. Obama did not make that case to Mr. Reid when he had the chance. White House officials are trying to avoid a public fight that they see as self-destructive. Asked before the meeting if the president would raise the issue, Mr. Carney suggested it did not have to come up on that particular day because Mr. Obama and Mr. Reid were in regular communication. “They talk all the time,” he said.