Why Did the White House Cancel the Rose Garden Bill Signing Ceremony for the Free Trade Agreements?
EmailWhy did the White House cancel a Rose Garden bill-signing for the Free Trade Agreements, opting instead for a behind-closed-doors event?
On Tuesday, the White House issued a press release announcing that “On Friday, October 21st, President Obama will sign the Korea, Panama and Colombia Free Trade Agreements and the renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers in the Oval Office before making remarks in the Rose Garden. In his remarks, President Obama will underscore that these trade agreements will significantly boost American exports, support tens of thousands of American jobs and protect labor rights, the environment and intellectual property. President Obama will be joined in the Rose Garden by business and labor leaders as well as workers who will benefit from these bills.”
Then on Thursday afternoon an “UPDATED” press release went out stating that instead, “President Obama will sign the Korea, Panama and Colombia Free Trade Agreements and the renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers in the Oval Office. There will be a stills only pool spray of the signings. The President will no longer make remarks in the Rose Garden following the signings.”
Why?
White House officials say the president’s schedule is too busy. (Though, it should be noted, he made time to greet labor leaders and workers in the Rose Garden who had planned to attend the signing ceremony. That event, however, was off-limits to press.)
Republicans on the Hill say that they suspect the White House wanted to avoid a big splashy image of Democrats and Republicans working together to get something done for the economy – since that steps on the president’s narrative that the Republicans are obstructionist.
(Speaking of which, last night Senate Republicans blocked the $35 billion jobs bill provision to provide funding for teachers, fire fighters and police officers because it was paid for by a 0.5% tax increase on incomes over $1 million.)
White House officials deny that, saying that the reason for the canceled Rose Garden remarks “will be clear in due time.”
In his August bus tour through the Midwest, President Obama repeatedly called on Congress to pass the Free Trade Agreements.
Congress did so, with overwhelming Republican support and considerable Democratic opposition. More House Democrats voted against the Free Trade Agreements than for them.
On October 13, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., credited his Republican counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kent., with the trade bills’ passage.
“I also want the record to be spread with the fact that as far as congressional action, this legislation would not have happened but for the Republican leader,” Reid said. “He has been laser focused for a long time, and there were some things we had to work through to get here, but one of the reasons I did what I did to help move this along is because of his feelings about the importance of this legislation.”
McConnell’s office says he was not invited to the Rose Garden Ceremony. Before it was canceled, I mean.
-Jake Tapper
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“Though, it should be noted, he made time to greet labor leaders and workers in the Rose Garden who had planned to attend the signing ceremony. That event, however, was off-limits to press”
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Why did oBama cancel the signing ceremony? You answered your own question there Jake. oBama knows who he works for…. Trumka says jump and oBama says “how high”.
Posted by: Michelle Shu Jas | October 21, 2011, 11:34 am 11:34 am
As long as there is an agreement to sign I could care less if there is a ceremony or not. this trade will continue to help us out of this hole created by those that ruined out economy way before this president came into office. the ones obstructing progress now.
Posted by: KS | October 21, 2011, 11:38 am 11:38 am
It should be noted that Democrats also voted to block Obama’s jobs bill last night.
But yes, it appears that when Obama actually presents legislation Republicans like, rather than just things he insists they should like, the legislation gets passed. Amazing!
Posted by: MayBee | October 21, 2011, 11:45 am 11:45 am
“the ones obstructing progress now”
I believe I would google Nafta and the results of a bill supported by a Republican House and Senate and by a Democrat President. Ever heard the term “that giant sucking sound of jobs leaving the US?”
Further more, unions generally oppose some of these trade bills. What was promised to them for their supprt.
Posted by: david | October 21, 2011, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm
“(Speaking of which, last night Senate Republicans blocked the $35 billion jobs bill provision to provide funding for teachers, fire fighters and police officers because it was paid for by a 0.5% tax increase on incomes over $1 million.)”
Another disappointment from Jake. Democrats ALSO voted against this. And ANOTHER bill (Obama approved 3 percent business withholding tax repeal) was voted down BY the Democrats just to protest this vote. WHO are the true obstructionests Jake? Why won’t you report the TRUTH?
Posted by: wheresmymoney | October 21, 2011, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
He has finally learned one lesson from Bill Clinton. Simply go back and read Clinton’s comments made during the signing of NAFTA…especially the part about jobs creation and how opponents of the free trade agreement were wrong in claiming that it would accelerate the offshoring and elimination of jobs. Since Obama is enjoying that “jobs growth” forecast by Clinton, I suspect that he simply didn’t want to make public the latest in planned reduction of well-paying jobs in America so that a greater dependency on the federal government can be created.
Posted by: wantingbalance | October 21, 2011, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
Why? — Because it is these “free trade” agreements that killed our economy. There is no free trade in those agreements–it is all for the benefit of Wall street.
And that would be awkward, considering Obama “supports” the OWS.
This bill includes a provision to help displaced workers–why should ANY trade agreement cause Americans to lose jobs?
Clinton’s Pacific trade agreements were supposed to create jobs too.
We need REAL free trade.
Vote: Ron Paul 2012
Posted by: Zool | October 21, 2011, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
You want to know WHY we have no JOB’s……..This is WHY……Both parties are to blame….It’s always been those Morons……!
So America what are YOU going to DO to THEM……………….?
We can throw them out and put Real People in like Patriots and Tea Party to straighten this mess out and when that does not work What will YOU do THEN………?
We truly are in a Bad Place because of these Globalist and this Network is their mouth piece……….trying to steer opinion……!
Posted by: Zrebe | October 21, 2011, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
Maybe the signing ceremony was canceled after the Administration faced the fact that most Americans oppose these FTA’s.
Posted by: Steven Capozzola | October 21, 2011, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
Because of the US jobs that will be outsourced by Obozo the illegal immigrant President. Shame!
Posted by: OWSgohome | October 21, 2011, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
Look what NAFTA did for this country. Factroies left as fast as they could. I don’t see how more free trade agreements is going to help this country. Our town alone lost 5 factories and thousands of jobs after NAFTA went into effect.
Posted by: Countrygirl1362 | October 21, 2011, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
Because he was going to sign a trade deal with countries with far lower wages and cost of doing business then here, costing yet more jobs, and lowering our standard of living yet again.
Posted by: snewsom2997 | October 21, 2011, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm
Look close at the administration it’s nothing but another give away to the union that owns OBummer. Yet they remain in office.
Posted by: plainolamerican | October 21, 2011, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Come on Tapper, lets admit that Democrats are blocking this stuff also.
Posted by: Etrain | October 21, 2011, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
“WHouse scuttles public signing of free trade bills…”
…the OBOZO-regime LIE OF TRANSPARENCY is exposed, once again!
Posted by: TeaPartyNation | October 21, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
In FACT it was DEMS who blocked Obama’s Senate Bill and more DEMS voted for the Republican Bill than Obama’s….what???…yes, folks…that is the truth.
Posted by: porchhound | October 21, 2011, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Is Jake Tapper the #1 reporter in Washington or what? How does he get such access? He sure doesn’t snivel.
Posted by: Bcd_Erick | October 21, 2011, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
“(Speaking of which, last night Senate Republicans blocked the $35 billion jobs bill provision to provide funding for teachers, fire fighters and police officers because it was paid for by a 0.5% tax increase on incomes over $1 million.)”
Good for them. Sanity is back! The Obama administration just gave an electric car manufacture $529 BILLION to build cars in Finland. Another $500 Billion on Solyndra. Wow. There’s a TRILLION dollars gone. Brilliant administration we have LOL.
Posted by: Rick | October 21, 2011, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
This guy ought to open a sneakers factory, he and they love to sneak things behind the closed doors, OPEN THAT DOOR
Posted by: Mare | October 21, 2011, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
So why did Obama block the press? Is he ashamed? Maybe he was tryig to figure out how to get more money for another group of donors
Posted by: jamescbuilder | October 21, 2011, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
The White House claimed Obama was “too busy” for the Rose Garden ceremony. Apparently the White House can’t even read THEIR OWN PAGE on his schedule for today:
9:30 AM The President signs the Free Trade Agreement. (pool spray)
10:30 AM The President drops by a reception in the Rose Garden (closed press)
2:30 PM he President honors recipients of the 2010 National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation (East Room Open Press)
If this is “too busy”, Mr. Obama has a salary that’s way over his pay grade.
Posted by: Playrighter | October 21, 2011, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
(Speaking of which, last night Senate Republicans blocked the $35 billion jobs bill provision to provide funding for teachers, fire fighters and police officers because it was paid for by a 0.5% tax increase on incomes over $1 million.)
So the 10 Democrats that voted it down dont count Jake? Nice spin.
Posted by: David | October 21, 2011, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
“Speaking of which, last night Senate Republicans blocked the $35 billion jobs bill provision to provide funding for teachers, fire fighters and police officers because it was paid for by a 0.5% tax increase on incomes over $1 million.”
Where I come from, this is called quibbling – a lie of omission. So, how many Dems voted against? I thought they had super-majority?
For a ‘jobs’ bill to help states paper over their deficits and defer fixing their budgets for yet another year. Even if it really would have resulted in hiring more teachers, police and firefighters, that would be more state employees on top of existing employees they can’t afford now. Next year they’ll have to either raise taxes, cut wages and benefits (LOL) or beg for more federal crack. These jobs will be a net deficit to the economy, as their cost will be born by increased taxes. That money may come from ‘millionaires’ but fails to account for the lost opportunity costs. What do you suppose they do with the ‘excess wealth’ stolen, err, taxed and redistributed? Do you suppose they kept it stuffed in a mattress? It was being put to work in investments of some sort, in the form of stocks (funding a company’s operations) in bonds (funding a governments operations) or in a CD (funding loans made by a bank), or buying goods made by workers, allowing them to be paid and pay taxes….etc. How do you suppose they became wealthy to begin with? Sheesh!
Posted by: Venril | October 21, 2011, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
The article flat out lies – Democrats and Republicans scuttled Obama’s bill.
ABC News = ZERO CREDIBILITY when it lies for Obama!
Posted by: B. Samuel Davis | October 21, 2011, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Democrats ALSO voted against this. Posted by:
Posted by: wheresmymoney | October 21, 2011, 12:25 pm.
What’s your point? How many Democrats voted against the bill? A couple of the most conservative ones? How many Republicans voted FOR it? ZERO. Nowadays, it takes 60 votes for any legislation to get through the Senate, thanks to the filibuster-happy Republicans there. The Democrats didn’t have 60 votes even if every Democrat supported it. See, the difference between the two Parties is, the Dems don’t just automatically vote in lock-step with the Party leadership. Unlike the Senate Republican drones on the Right, who don’t have two original thoughts to rub together between them……..
Posted by: Searambler | October 21, 2011, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
I loved your little parenthetical about the bi-partisan “stimulus vote” last evening, but I didn’t see anything about the 10 scared to death Democrats who voted for the Republican’s alternative. That would have been embarrassing for Dear Leader.
Posted by: JDanielBoone | October 21, 2011, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
These trade agreements flew under the radar. The press did little to no reporting on them. They would have NEVER passed if America knew about them.
NAFTA’s TAA benefits cost the US billions because factories RAN south the day NAFTA went into effect. NAFTA crippled this country. Ever hear the rhetorical question “why isn’t anything made in the USA any more?” NAFTA is why.
Now we have three more “free” trade agreements with third world countries.
Definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
Posted by: Bill | October 21, 2011, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
Could be because he doesn’t want to give credit to McConnell? uh, this does not take a genius to understand.
Posted by: slim | October 21, 2011, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Posted by: Searambler—The republican bill got 57 (R) and (D), and didn’t pass because of a fillabuster, It looks like 60 is the new standard for both sides.
Posted by: snewsom2997 | October 21, 2011, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
Free trade is all and good if we have a global government, with global minimum wages and regulation but we don’t and we never should.
Posted by: snewsom2997 | October 21, 2011, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
Venril | October 21, 2011, 2:54 pm post:
The Democrats haven’t had a super-majority since August of 2009, when Senator Kennedy dies. Where have you been?!?!? Today, the filibuster-happy Republicans have made it so that without 60 votes, nothing happens in the Senate. And since all the Republicans vote in lockstep there – well, welcome to gridlock, Republican-style. It is NOT a lie to say this bill was blocked by the Republicans. Considering NONE of them voted for it. The final vote was 50-50. Two Democrats plus Independent Joe Lieberman voted against it. So yeah, blame the Democrats for scuttling the bill. (He said sarcastically)…..
Posted by: Searambler | October 21, 2011, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
The Republican response hit the nail on the head. Obama didn’t want to be seen publicly in a bi-partisan atmosphere because it would void Obama’s claim that Republicans are obstructionists. The fact that the White House couldn’t give an immediate answer as to why they cancelled the public signing, only furthers the idea that the real reason was because Obama really didn’t want to be seen publicly with Republicans. Which as I said, would obliterate Obama’s claim and constant haranguing of Republicans as being partisan and obstructionists. Which they aren’t of course, and Obama knows it. But Obama wants to try and keep up the charade that they are. Hence the cancelling of the public signing and instead doing it behind closed doors away from the public’s prying eyes. Hopefully the American people are smart enough to see through Obama’s ruse. The facts be known, Obama is probably the most partisan, divisive, dirty politicking president in U.S. history. And the only job he really cares about is his own in my opinion. The three free-trade agreements have been sitting on his desk for three years and the only reason he’s signing them now is because he wants to get reelected in 2012. Not that he actually cares about increasing trade between Panama, Columbia and South Korea. If he actually cared about increasing trade or in providing more American jobs he would have signed the free-trade agreements three years ago when he came into office. Again, it’s simply a partisan ploy in his quest to try and get reelected. Nuff’ said.
Posted by: Mike P | October 21, 2011, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm
Do you think that 90% of voters were *opposed* to these trade bills might have something to do with it? And, what about the more than 67,000 new H1–B visas this anti-american worker President approved the same week? And, what about the other half a billion dollar timber industry job stimulus package this corrupt gangster approved that turned out to hire *ALL* foreign workers and, in violation of federal law, resulted in *all* of the timber cut being shipped off to China for processing!
Posted by: MIke Brooks | October 21, 2011, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
It could be that Obama didn’t want the public reminded that these bills – measures that may have boosted the economy and meant employment in the US – sat collecting dust on his desk for the past two years while Republican leaders urged him to return them for action. It is hard to come up with anything that this President has done right or in a positive way to help the American economy and, it is starting to be clear that this has been his intention all along.
Posted by: Denis | October 21, 2011, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
Everything Obama has done for the last six months has been driven by politics. Obama is more interested in demonizing Republicans than he is in helping America.
Posted by: Mike | October 21, 2011, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
Speaking of which, last night Senate Democrats and Republicans blocked the $35 billion jobs bill provision to provide funding for teachers, fire fighters and police officers because it was paid for by a 0.5% tax increase on incomes over $1 million.
Republicans can’t do it alone. Get your facts straight.
Posted by: Blorg | October 21, 2011, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
‘
The leftist democrats have always hated America’s Wealth and Prosperity.
I hope you folks enjoy being brought down to the level of the average Chinese Worker, or, now the Korea, Panama, and Colombian worker.
Smile, we will all be ‘equal’ then.
.
Posted by: cntrlfrk | October 21, 2011, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
He didn’t want to be seen signing it because of all the manufacturing jobs that will now move to South Korea, Panama and Columbia. BOTH PARTIES HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THE FREE-TRADE-WITH-LOW-WAGE COUNTRIES TREASON SINCE NIXON / CHINA AND BUSH41 / NAFTA.
Posted by: David from San Diego | October 21, 2011, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Obummer is a fool – Throw out ALL of Washington and let’s start rebuilding.
Posted by: Eric | October 21, 2011, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
you made it clear, jake, who your supporting in this article. we don’t need “oh by the way” crap. msnbc ran a ticker last night showing all the rep. who voted no, but didn’t show the democrats and independents that voted no also…but “oh by the way”, neither would you…
Posted by: renovate | October 21, 2011, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
There was no public ceremony because this is just one more nail in America’s coffin. This will result in even more jobs going to the latest countries being brought into the infrastructure they are laying for world government. The dumb bells occupying Wall Street are in the wrong city. It was the politicians in Washington who passed all the trade treaties that resulted in all the jobs being sucked out of the country.
Posted by: Jim | October 21, 2011, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Jake please, let the Truth come out of the closet.. Still we are waiting…
Posted by: MFB | October 21, 2011, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
Wow. The blatant bias and lack of ethical journalism is astounding!
It was a bipartisan vote which blocked the legislation. Not the Republicans as reported. This reinforces the constant drumming on the right of the mainstream media as the president’s propoganda team.
Posted by: Tim | October 21, 2011, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
…so much for “The Most Transparent Administration In History”
The mainstream media owes the American public an apology for cheerleading this fraud back in 2008.
Posted by: JustAGuy | October 21, 2011, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Posted by: MayBee ////
Yes you should google NAFTA and find out who signed it and who controlled both the House and the Senate to and the White House at the time nafta was signed into law it was the democrats LOL YES THE DEMOCRATS controlled the it all when NAFTA WAS SIGNED INTO LAW
Posted by: Kerry R Jennings | October 21, 2011, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
On the same day his Gallup popularity plummets to new low…
Posted by: Truth Detector | October 21, 2011, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
Come on, please stop complaining. The 0bama regime is incredibly open and transparent – if you think like a dictator and compare these guys to Chavez and Castro. Anyway, liberalism is not about results it’s about intent – and 0bomber had good intentions to be open and transparent but Bush just got in the way.
Posted by: Lee | October 21, 2011, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
Thanks Jake for demonstrating once again that you are just another biased liberal media hack. “…speaking of which, last night Senate Republicans blocked the $35 billion jobs bill provision to provide funding for teachers, fire fighters and police officers because it was paid for by a 0.5% tax increase on incomes over $1 million…” I did not see any mention of the 10 democrats that also voted to kill this wasteful joke of a bill. The biggest lies are often the words that go unsaid.
Posted by: death by liberals | October 21, 2011, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
Keep voting in the same politicians you stupid, feminized, ignorant Americans. SSDD.
Posted by: Mike Alright | October 21, 2011, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
ALL the lamestream media have lied for Obozo and all the clowns in his administration (sic). They haven’t had any credibility since ‘Nam, and history has proven that. This joke on the American people was getting leg humped from day one thanks to PC and hypocrisy, which we all know goes hand in hand. He is the most inexperienced, un-qualified, inept disaster that office has EVER seen since Carter. We know it, they know it, and the rest of the world knows it. History will reveal that too. Who the hell do they really think they are kidding? REAL credible “journalists” have long left the lamestream media, is it any wonder why nobody trusts or believes them?
Posted by: Gooch | October 21, 2011, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
Jake, I think you mean % 5.0 not %0.5
Posted by: Robert S. | October 21, 2011, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
Can someone please take the vote results from this latest stimuli plan and beat Tapper and Obama over the head with it until they realize there ARE MORE NAY VOTES THAN THERE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES???
Jeezus already, I’d have my child in time-out for such dishonesty. And these grown fools REFUSE to be straight about it.
Posted by: IGetItAlready | October 21, 2011, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
FREE MONEY!!!! just ask our federal government for it, as long as your not an American.
Free trade agreements have ruined this country in favor of Global Billionaires.
I just learned that our Social Security was raided by these federal criminals of over 2 trillion dollars?
Time for JAIL, not time to sign more agreements handing over our country.
Time to shut these criminals down, starting with their lying tongues called “the news”.
This is more and more like NAZI Germany EVERYDAY and greedy fearful Americans sit by and say Oh Well.
B.S.
Occupy EVERYTHING!!!!
Mike.
Posted by: Mike Miracle | October 21, 2011, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
Why Did the White House Cancel the Rose Garden Bill Signing Ceremony for the Free Trade Agreements?
Because he is selling out the nation and he knows it.
Posted by: Puke | October 21, 2011, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
This is a further erosion of American soverignty to protect our job market for the benefit of americans. This was kept under the radar because of the future damage we understand will be inflicted on the US workers. Gee now I know why obama announced the Iraqi pull out today.
Posted by: juan | October 21, 2011, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
The most open and transparent government ever. What lying communist fools.
Posted by: the Guy | October 21, 2011, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm