It's Friday afternoon in Washington, DC, after a pretty incredible week. The Democrats finally have chosen Barack Obama, the nominee of change, or so I believe. That's my disclaimer that today's blog will be a bit eclectic given this historic week, but what follows is quick run down of various issues and things I've been keeping an eye on--
The Shot Heard Around the World - I've enjoyed hearing about how the world is reacting to Barack Obama's rise this week. When the Democrats took back Congress in 2006, I was living in Mexico City and couldn't believe the extent to which the Mexican press covered our mid-term elections. Sometimes it seemed like my Mexican neighbors were more informed of U.S. politics than even I was. This week, we heard from our former intern, Oliver, who is in South Africa. Oli reports that South Africans, particularly black South Africans, seem particularly intrigued by the ascent of an American man with a Kenyan father. At the same time, one of my best friends, Weijean, who is a political junkie, reported this week from Beijing, where she lives, on earthquake recovery efforts. No mention of Obama or Clinton. Sometimes, even U.S. news can't trump natural disasters, for the right reasons. Check out Wei's blog at http://beijingwei.blogspot.com/. Check out yesterday's Washington Post's article on Obama and the world, as well as Dave O'Donnell's blog on U.S. newspapers and Obama.
In Monday's Washington Post, Sebastian Mallaby opined on how Barack Obama is the real pro-growth candidate, more so than McCain. Why? Because he understands that economic growth is not just about liberalizing trade and financial systems. According to Mallaby, Obama gets that "policies toward education, basic science, skilled immigration, infrastructure and the grotesque tort system" all contribute to growth as much as cutting taxes and deregulation. I look forward to hearing more about these pro-growth policies from Obama on the campaign trail.
Yesterday, the Senate passed the farm bill, version 2.0. The bill now goes to the White House where Bush will veto it (again). Then Congress will attempt an override (again).
On the trade front, Rep. Mike Machaud (D-ME) unveiled a new bill this week that would overhaul U.S. trade policy. Fifty-two Members have co-sponsored the Trade Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act, including five committee chairman. Ways and Means Chairman Rangel has not signed on. Sen. Sherrod Brown has introduced a similar bill in the Senate. The TRADE Act mandates, among other things, that all existing and new trade agreements include enforceable labor and environmental standards and requirements with respect to affordable medicines and essential services (e.g. health care and education), farm policy, foreign investment, government procurement, and food and product safety policy.
From Rep. Michaud's office:
The TRADE Act requires a review of existing trade agreements, and a renegotiation of existing trade agreements based on that review. It sets terms of what must and must not be included in future trade agreements, and expresses the sense of the Congress that the role of Congress in trade policymaking should be strengthened. A more detailed fact sheet on the TRADE Act can be found below.
Read more here.
That's it for today. Happy weekend.
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