Patrick Murphy announces endorsements by almost half of Democratic state lawmakers

[Freddie Stubbs]

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy has been racking up major Democratic endorsements at a rapid clip since he launched his bid for the U.S. Senate back in late March. On Thursday he continued that trend, announcing via news release that he has secured the support of 25 sitting Florida state legislators.

“From South Florida to Tampa, from Orlando to the Panhandle, people are joining this campaign to get Washington working for Florida,” said Murphy in a written statement.

He continued: “I am overwhelmed to have the support of so many state lawmakers, who are leaders in their communities. While they battle obstruction and extremism in Tallahassee, I, too, will continue that fight in Washington.”

The all-Democratic roster of backers includes former Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, House Minority Leader Designate Janet Cruz, fellow Palm Beach pol state Sen. Joe Abruzzo and dean of the Senate, former President Gwen Margolis, and a slew of sitting representatives.

[djean111]

1. He is one of those "New Democrats". I will vote against him in a primary.

He is pushing for Fast Track, that's all I need to know.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. You are wrong

Rep. Patrick Murphy sides with liberals, opposes Obama on ‘fast-track’ trade authority

Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter, said today he opposes giving President Barack Obama “fast-track” authority to negotiate the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal.

That puts Murphy, who recently launched a 2016 Senate campaign, on the same side as most congressional Democrats, including liberal Rep. and potential Democratic primary foe Alan Grayson of Orlando. Labor unions and other key Democratic constituencies have said the emerging trade deal would threaten U.S. jobs.

Obama is relying primarily on majority Republicans to grant him “trade promotion authority,” which would allow him to submit a Trans-Pacific Partnership deal to Congress later this year for an up-or-down vote without amendments. But with some conservatives and tea party Republicans balking at handing Obama more executive power, the president will likely need some Democratic support as well.

“The Constitution grants Congress the authority to regulate trade, and it greatly concerns me that we are being asked to establish a framework for a deal that is almost done,” Murphy said in a statement released by his office.

http://postonpolitics.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/04/27/rep-patrick-murphy-sides-with-liberals-opposes-obama-on-fast-track-trade-authority/

[djean111]

3. He is listed as a member of the New Democrat Coalition, which is for Fast Track.

http://newdemocratcoalition-kind.house.gov/membership

The New Democrat Coalition believes in ideas over ideology. We are a solutions-oriented coalition that seeks to bridge the gap between left and right by challenging old and outmoded partisan approaches to governing.

The New Democrat Coalition stands for the millions of Americans who feel unrepresented in today's broken political process. We believe that the moderate majority of Americans are tired of the constant campaigning and partisan sniping in Washington, and we're firmly committed to tackling the greatest challenges America faces today.

That is Third Way triangulation to me.

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/new-dems-expect-growing-support-for-fast-track-117540.html#ixzz3YsRasL3L

A small group of House Democrats who back President Barack Obama’s effort to win “fast-track” trade legislation said Thursday they expect more party members to step forward in favor of the bill, but indicated Republicans would still have to provide the bulk of the votes to win its approval.
“I think members realize it’s coming closer [to the time] to ultimately to make a decision, and that’s what they’re trying to do,” Wisconsin Rep. Ron Kind, chairman of the New Democrat Coalition, told reporters after more than a 90-minute meeting with Obama. “I think to the credit of the majority of the New Dems in the coalition, they’ve kept their powder dry to give the administration and the president the chance to make the case.”

That's where I got my information. Puzzling.

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Elizabeth Warren is listed as a member of the Democratic Party

The Democratic party Platform supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership:

Free and Fair Trade. We have also sought to promote free and fair trade. Because of the economic dynamism of the
Asia-Pacific region, which is already home to more than half the global economy, expanding trade with that region is
critical to creating jobs and opportunities for the American people. Building on the free trade agreement with South
Korea that President Obama signed, we are working with our partners in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Forum to create a seamless regional economy, promote green growth, and coordinate regulatory reform. Alongside
Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, we are on track to
finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a historic high-standard agreement that will address new and emerging trade
issues, lower barriers to the free flow of trade and investment, increase exports, and create more American jobs.
Exploring opportunities to shape the multilateral trading system to reflect the role and responsibility of major emerging
markets in the global economy is a critical part of the President’s trade agenda.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/papers_pdf/101962.pdf

[hay rick]

5. Murphy against fast track.

Murphy is my congressman and I was pleasantly surprised to see him oppose fast track.

[left-of-center2012]

4. What about Grayson?

Isn't he running?