Lots of Dem consternation about party leaders announcing this deal on the same day they drop impeachment articles. But a few things to keep in mind:
1. Labor likes this deal. And Dems in key states can't afford to piss labor voters off. Union votes are among those Dems shed to Trump in key states in 2016. thehill.com/policy/finance…
Announcing the deal on the same day as impeachment takes away the Republican talking point that Dems are just Hell-bent on getting Trump and not focused on the people's business. It gives Dems the chance to turn to McConnell and say what about the other 400 House-passed bills?
And not just Hill Dems but also Senate Rs agree that Trump gave more than he got on the deal. Maybe he's a bit distracted?? So Dems get to give members up for re-election in states like PA, WI, MI etc a good news talking point on a bill they actually like. thehill.com/homenews/senat…
When thinking about the politics on this you have to go beyond Trump. A lot of swing state Dems will run on this as a "bipartisan accomplishment" which 🙄 or not, indie voters care about. If this bill helps Dems keep the House, that's good for the republic.
Yeah it's mostly NAFTA with sprinkles but NAFTA is a dirty word to a lot of the Rust Belt voters who in '16 took it out on HRC. And on this issue, Trump just is more with anti free trade Dems (remember the Dem defections on TPP including Liz Warren?) than with free trade Rs.
