President Barack Obama’s in Asia this week pushing a deal that almost none of his allies at home want.
On the Hill, most of the pushback is coming from the president’s fellow Democrats, who say it undercuts the economic fairness argument that’s a central focus of his midterm strategy.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have made clear they don’t have much interest in the Tran-Pacific Partnership or broader fast-track trade authority passing before November — if then.
Labor’s been leading the opposition. But the president’s also at odds with consumer safety advocates, environmental interests, religious groups and a wide array of progressives.