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Obama Slow Jams Latest Trade Deal Pitch

President declares himself 'down with TPP' despite tricky politics


 

President Barack Obama used a “Tonight Show” slow jamming of the news bit to make yet another pitch for his trade deal with Pacific Rim countries, a pact lawmakers view with skepticism.  

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, whom Obama endorsed on Thursday, opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership . So too does likely Republican nominee Donald Trump . And lawmakers and candidates of all political stripes are dancing around the question of whether Congress should ever approve it.  

But despite the tricky election-year politics, Obama continues making his case.  

[

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In the segment, taped Tuesday night in New York, “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon rhythmically asked Obama if he is “down with TPP,” a reference to a rather risque 1990s rap song by the group, uh, Naughty By Nature.  

“Yeah, you know me,” the 54-year-old Obama replied around the 4:50 mark.  

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“Look, Jimmy, the TPP allows American businesses to sell more goods at home and abroad,” the salesman in chief said. “The more we sell abroad, the more higher-paying jobs we provide here at home. It’s that simple.”  

With both the House and Senate coming in for rare twin early Friday morning sessions, however, it’s questionable how many members and senators stayed up Thursday night to watch.  

And in yet another sign the White House has fully turned toward the general election, Obama got in a jab at Trump, telling Fallon he’s been watching his new favorite television show: “Orange is not the new black .”

Contact Bennett at 


johnbennett@cqrollcall.com


 and follow him on Twitter 


@BennettJohnT

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