Becerra meets with Obama

Posted: Thursday, December 04, 2008 11:56 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell

Democratic sources say California Rep. Xavier Becerra (D) is in Chicago today to meet with President-elect Obama.

We have confirmed that they are meeting to discuss a possible appointment as US Trade representative.

Becerra voted for NAFTA in 1993, a vote he later said he regretted because of the lack of labor protections.

He also supported China's World Trade Organization membership in 2000, and last year he pushed for passage of the trade deal with Peru, after labor protections were added.

In the past, he also has opposed trade deals -- like the Central American Free Trade Pact.

A member of the House Ways and Means Committee (which oversees trade), Becerra is the son of immigrants and holds undergraduate and law degreed from Stanford University.

If nominated, he would be the second high-ranking Hispanic appointment by Obama -- after yesterday's nomination of Bill Richardson to be Commerce secretary.

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Comments

Sorry !!
I don't want ANYONE who supports NAFTA or the WTO

What happened to pledges to re-open NAFTA to include labor, environmental and consumer rights ?

No business as usual

Why not appoint ex congressman and Edwards campaign supporter (ex) Rep. David Bonior (D Mich)?
THAT'S a trade rep !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:13 PM)

So what your saying is this Becerra person is wishy-washy and has no core values that he subscribes to. He'll fit in well in a Obama administration.

Cline, St. Louis MO (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:34 PM)

Why does the press divide us all into ethnic groups? Can we ever become post racial if the press refuses to be? Already I am thinking "is this guy really qualified or just the right color". Meanwhile he may be the best candidate by far.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:42 PM)

President-elect Obama should look closely at Becerra's involvement in the presidental pardon of a cocaine dealer and contributor to the congressman's campaign.

Marcel, San Antonio, Texas (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:44 PM)

I have to say that I haven't hear much about this person. I hope to hear more. So far, it sounds good about his regretting his NAFTA vote because of the lack of labor protections. That is something that should be taken into account, among other things, when trade deals of any kind are worked on.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:45 PM)

Getting a BA and law degree from Stanford is no easy feat. The Obama transition team is doing a great job picking qualified people. Well done.

Ron Indiana (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:56 PM)

Great!

Now let's get Rep. Mike Thompson to be Sec. of the Interior!

Ryan, Sacramento, Calif. (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 1:35 PM)

Living in California all my life, I am quite aware of Becerra and his rap-sheet.

Bad choice.

Hopefully, Obama will use his smarts and NOT bring anymore people to D.C. that favored NAFTA. NAFTA by itself was one of many reasons the Big 3 are in D.C. today.

Paul, Riverside, CA (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 1:37 PM)

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