UNITE HERE was one of the many labor unions righteously outraged about the UNITE HERE was one of the many labor unions righteously outraged about the Mark Penn/Colombia affair, and understandably so. President Bruce Raynor sent out this statement late on Friday chastising Penn and the campaign for what these conflicting interests. Of course Penn's departure from the campaign is notable, but it doesn't necessarily resolve some of the issues Raynor raises:
That Clinton's chief strategist would be working hand in hand with the government of Columbia and the Bush Administration while candidate Clinton says she opposes the agreement is truly incredible, even by today's crazy standards. Not only is the Colombia Free Trade Agreement a continuation of the Bush Administration's failed trade policies that have benefited multinational corporations at the expense of workers and their families, but Columbia is the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. [...]
A disturbing pattern is emerging in the Clinton campaign. She seems to regularly take positions on important issues which are refuted by her own actions, or those of her top campaign staff. For example, Hillary said she always opposed NAFTA. But as has recently been documented, she supported NAFTA when it counted, that is, when it was being voted on. [...] Can we really trust Hillary's claim that she will fight against the Colombia Free Trade Agreement? Working for the Colombian government is not only "controversial," it is obscene and morally wrong. One wonders: which side is Hillary really on?
Of course, since UNITE HERE has endorsed Barack Obama, criticism of the Clinton campaign should probably be taken with a grain of salt. And it's not necessarily true that Penn's dealings unavoidably influence how Clinton would handle trade as president. But it definitely raises some questions, and confirms that having a lobbyist run your campaign might not be the best plan.
--Kate Sheppard
