US President Barack Obama has made a rare appearance on Capitol Hill to push Democrats for support ahead of a crucial vote on “fast-track” trade legislation.

In a clear sign that one of his key legislative priorities might be in jeopardy, Obama met privately with House Democrats on Friday in a last-ditch effort to win their support for a package of trade bills that would help negotiations between the US and eleven other countries to complete a Pacific Rim free trade accord.

The vast majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives are opposed to the trade legislation.

A procedural vote narrowly passed Thursday evening, and a tight final vote is expected on Friday.

“I don’t think you ever nail anything down around here,” Obama told reporters on his way out of the Capitol. “It’s always moving.”

Since the midterm elections, Obama has launched a vigorous campaign to win support from his Democratic allies over intense opposition of labor unions.

The president has found himself aligned with many business-friendly Republicans on the matter.

Democratic opponents charge that Obama’s agenda reveals a lack of commitment to America’s workers and the middle class. Union leaders accuse the president of marginalizing them.

Obama needs Democratic backing to get a bill known as Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) passed in the House. The measure would assist workers who lose their jobs due to trade agreements.

The bill must pass before the House can vote on the central Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, which would give Obama "fast-track" authority to send trade pacts like the  massive 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to Congress for an up-or-down vote.

“The president and his counselors understand that this is a legacy vote for his second term,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who supports the fast-track bill. “It’s a philosophical battle, a political battle and an economic battle. The president finds himself in the crossfire with the base.”

Obama has framed the TPP as central to his economic agenda at home and his foreign policy strategy in Asia.

The US president has repeatedly said the trade accord would help the US maintain its economic edge in the fast-growing Asian-Pacific region against increasing competition from China.

HRJ/HRJ