More bad news: Obama picks NAFTA shill Ron Kirk as Trade Representative

[brentspeak]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/121908dnnatkirktrade.3d94014.html

By TODD J. GILLMAN and JIM LANDERS / The Dallas Morning News

WASHINGTON – The choice of Ron Kirk as the nation's top trade negotiator disappointed Barack Obama's union supporters and left trade experts wondering Thursday how hard the president-elect will push against business interests in future deals.

Mr. Kirk, the former Dallas mayor and 2002 Senate nominee, is a pro-business Democrat who has been an outspoken booster of NAFTA and the benefits of free trade. But little is known about his views on forcing trading partners to abide by tougher labor and environmental standards, as Mr. Obama promised voters in Ohio and other Rust Belt states.

And it's unclear if putting a free-trade advocate in the Cabinet as U.S. trade representative – the announcement of Mr. Kirk's appointment is set for today in Chicago – means Mr. Obama is backing away from that vow. NAFTA has largely been beneficial for Texas, as trade with Mexico has fueled job growth.

"Not our first choice," Thea Lee, policy director at the AFL-CIO, said of Mr. Kirk, noting that he has also dismayed unions by calling for normalized trade relations with China. "We have some concerns."

[lib2DaBone]

1. NAFTA gave us the SHAFTA...bring American jobs home

Roosevelt did some unexpected things during his first administration. I'm still in a wait and see mode.

The mood of the country is pretty nasty. If Obama doesn't show support of his backers by June '09.. we could see worker strikes and serious backlash.

[democrattotheend]

2. I'm disappointed about this

I'm disappointed that Xavier Beccera did not take the job...I liked him a lot better.