Jim Webb Criticizes Lack of Transparency Surrounding Trade Deal

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Former Senator and potential 2016 Democrat presidential candidate Jim Webb tells The Des Moines Register he isn’t pleased with the lack of transparency around the current trade bill being pushed by the Obama administration. “I think it’s unnecessary, the opaque nature of this agreement even now.”

Per a report in The Hill, “I can’t say whether I’m for it or against it because I’m not allowed to read it,” added Webb.

Webb also spoke out against giving Obama fast-track trading authority, saying he would have voted “no” on that. “I don’t think there’s a hurry to this.”

In terms of his presidential credentials, Webb cited his military service, along with his time in the Senate.

“I served in combat in a very difficult time,” Webb said. “I understand what it’s like to be on the end of that policy.”

“I’ve worked as a military planner,” he added.

“I spent five years in the Pentagon, one as a Marine and four as a defense executive. I’ve covered the military as a journalist. I was in Beirut when the Marines were there in 1983. I was in Afghanistan in 2004.”

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