*U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman — President Barack Obama’s top trade official — ventured into it Tuesday evening, meeting with a group of liberal leaders in a ritual known as Common Purpose — an off-the-record weekly gathering that features an administration official and representatives of the Democratic coalition, from labor and environmental groups to consumer advocates and online progressive groups.

Froman’s appearance was part of a stepped-up charm offensive the U.S. trade representative is waging, hoping to soften liberal opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the free trade deal Obama is attempting to cut with Asian nations. The same day, Froman spoke publicly at the Democratic-aligned think tank Center for American Progress. GOP leaders in Congress support the trade pact, which is still being negotiated. But Democratic opposition is broad in both the House and Senate, making Froman’s mission critical if the Obama administration hopes to clear the agreement through Congress when it is finished. And if the reception at the Common Purpose gathering is any indication, a lot more charm will be needed. The liberal coalition was unusually unified — against the administration…* The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down.

*Read more here from Ryan Grim and Zach Carter / The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/20/michael-froman-democrats_n_4820363.html