Hillary Clinton made her latest break with the Obama administration Wednesday, when she announced her opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement. The agreement, one of the few instances of bipartisan cooperation of the president’s second term, has drawn fire from liberal groups who either oppose free trade, or wish it does more for labor. The problem for Clinton: TPP, as the agreement is known, goes further than both the South Korean free trade agreement Clinton helped renegotiate as Secretary of State, and NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, her husband signed into law and which she defended. Clinton was a staunch supporter of the agreement as Secretary of State, and spoke positively of it in her book, Hard Choices, which was released last year. Her opposition reflects the latest instance in which her campaign has been drawn leftward by the insurgent rise of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has eaten up much of Democrats’ enthusiasm.
House Republicans are set to meet to elect their replacement for Speaker of the House John Boehner, but the once-orderly process has grown chaotic as conservatives in the “Freedom Caucus” unified behind a long-shot candidate who could deprive the GOP favorite of the 218 votes needed to win the Speakership before the full House.
Jeb Bush reports on his parents’ heath. Rand Paul auctions off his signed Clinton book. Keeping up with former candidate Scott Walker. And what Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon though of Clinton’s performance.
Here are your must reads:
Must Reads
Why the House Speaker Fight Is Poised for Chaos
TIME’s Jay Newton-Small previews the drama on Capitol Hill
Hillary Clinton Opposes Trans-Pacific Partnership
Another break with the Obama White House [TIME]
Donald Trump’s Act Seems to Be Wearing Out Its Welcome
Less interest from news media as some conservative outlets go on the offensive [New York Times]
Clinton E-Mails Were Vulnerable to Hackers, Tech Firm Warned
The subcontractor’s recommended security upgrade was rebuffed by the firm managing the account [Washington Post]
Obama Issues Rare Apology Over Bombing of Doctors Without Borders Hospital in Afghanistan
Does little to satisfy group calling for independent investigation of strike [New York Times]
How Saturday Night Live Makes Kate McKinnon Into Hillary Clinton
“The crazy eyes are apparently something that I just cannot help,” she tells TIME
Why the GOP Nomination Fight Will Be Messy
Rules changes, the massive field, and super PACs will likely make this the most intense contest in decades [TIME]
Sound Off
“I thought that she did a great job. It was the greatest day of my life, I’ll say that.” — Kate McKinnon on Hillary Clinton’s performance on Saturday Night Live
“No, I would provide the kind of leadership that says, ‘Get on the stick guys, and stop messing around, and cut where you need to cut, because we’re not raising any spending limits, period.” — Ben Carson flubbing an answer on whether he’d raise the debt limit on “Marketplace” on American Public Radio
Bits and Bites
Rand Paul Puts Clinton Book Up for Auction [TIME]
Voters Keep Asking Jeb Bush About His Parents [TIME]
How Scott Walker Has Been Spending His Days [ABC]
Who Will Qualify for the Next Republican Debate? [Wall Street Journal]
Jeb Bush’s Identity Crisis [Politico]
Sen. Reid, Wife Sue Makers of Exercise Band [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
Judge Says He Can’t Order Clinton on E-Mails [Politico]
Kasich’s Ohio Approval Rating Hits Record High [Politico]
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