Former DNC leaders urge Dems to back Obama on trade

Seven former chairmen of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) urged Democrats on Thursday to support President Obama’s trade agenda.

{mosads}In a letter sent to Democratic members arranged by center-left think tank Third Way, the former DNC leaders argued that Obama’s trade agenda would help create jobs.

It comes as progressives are urging Democrats to oppose Obama’s request to fast-track legislation, known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), out of concern that it would lead to trade deals that don’t benefit U.S. workers.

“TPA will clear a path for the President to pursue his pro-growth trade agenda—an agenda that will move America forward,” the former DNC chairmen wrote in a letter first obtained by The Hill.

The letter was signed by former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, former Sen. Chris Dodd (Conn.), former Sen. Paul Kirk (Mass.), Joe Andrew, Donald Fowler and David Wilhelm.

Rendell told The Hill that Obama’s trade agenda would help to create “blue-collar, middle-class jobs that pay well.”

“That should be more important to the labor unions — and our members should know that,” Rendell said.

Jim Kessler, Third Way senior vice president for policy, said that the letter would “help Democrats see that there are other progressive leaders” who are supporting TPA.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the current DNC chairwoman, has not yet publicly taken a position on TPA.