Fox News: Democratic Despair Increases Labor Clout

[Omaha Steve]

http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/09/02/democratic-despair-increases-labor-clout

Chris Stirewalt | September 02, 2010

The despair that currently grips the Democratic Party is enhancing the clout of big labor in the party.

The AFL-CIO has joined the other big unions - AFSCME and SEIU - in making lavish promises about mobilization and spending this cycle. At the national AFL-CIO conclave Wednesday, union boss Richard Trumka pledged to spend $40 million across 26 states, including more than 70 House races - all fighting "corporate traitors."

With similar pledges from other unions and new rules regarding campaign spending, it's conceivable that big labor could spend more than $150 million - a staggering sum for a midterm election.

Every day, another prognosticator has more bad news for Democrats. Today, Larry Sabato predicts a 47-seat gain for Republicans in the House and says the Senate is "on the bubble." While Democrats continue to enjoy the cash cushion provided by easier fundraising in the majority, the party is in dire need of help, especially when it comes time to get out the vote.

Trumka is offering a hand - and showing his muscle. The union has already put up a Labor Day ad that shows blue-collar workers in old economy jobs - lots of steel and hard hats, not the kind of clean, green jobs imagined by the Obama Democrats. The AFL-CIO still relies on manufacturing and industry for its dues. Like the Teamsters, the AFL-CIO has never fully embraced the Democratic agenda on the environment.


FULL story at link.

[Historic NY]

1. Are they implying its sneaky...its brilliant.