AFL-CIO To Bring Hammer Down On Wavering House Dems

[jefferson_dem]

AFL-CIO To Bring Hammer Down On Wavering House Dems
A second labor powerhouse is about to bring the hammer down on wavering House Dems.

The AFL-CIO is set to rachet up the pressure on House Dems who are considering voting No on the health reform bill, a source from the union tells me, implicitly threatening primaries and third-party challenges. The news comes days after the SEIU went public with a very explicit threat to do the same.

In the days ahead, the presidents of the AFL-CIO’s unions — heavy hitters such as Richard Trumka, AFSCME’s Gerald McEntee, and CWA’s Larry Cohen — will be making direct personal (ahem) appeals to these House Dems, the source says.

“Everybody who’s undecided now, all the different union presidents are going to get on the phone and bring very heavy pressure,” the source says. “Trumka, McEntee, Larry Cohen — all of our presidents will be laying down the law.”

Earlier this afternoon, the AFL-CIO voted to support the fixed version of the Senate bill, Sam Stein reports, despite a last-minute dispute over the so-called “Cadillac” tax.

The AFL-CIO source sends over the list of House Dems who are being targeted:

Dennis Cardoza, Jim Costa, Daniel Lipinski, Stephen Lynch, Michael Michaud, James Oberstar, Steve Chabot, Charlie Wilson Marcy Kaptur, Ralph Regula, Zack Space, Phil English, Jason Altmire, Christopher Carney, Paul Kanjorski, Tim Holden, Jerry Costello, Virgil Goode, Alan Mollohan, Nick Rahall.

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http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/labor/afl-cio-to-bring-hammer-down-on-wavering-house-dems/

[babylonsister]

1. Oh goody! Go get 'em, Trumka, McEntee, Cohen!

:patriot:

[tallahasseedem]

2. Gotta do what you gotta do.

Period.

[NJmaverick]

3. It's good to bring more heavy hitters into this critical fight

[Jennicut]

4. Oberstar is a yes, so that is one off the list. Altmire might be one that can

be switched.

[daa]

5. Just wait and see how the membership votes in November nt

[sandnsea]

6. Putting aside differences for the common good

Now these guys I can thank.

[demosincebirth]

8. ?

[LiberalFighter]

7. Ellsworth is not on the list? Wow

[DevonRex]

9. I stand with labor. And I'm really pleased they're taking action. nt

[troubledamerican]

15. + 1

[Cha]

10. Arcuri's not on there and is voting no.

[ellie]

11. Yes! Put the

fear of God into Marcy Kaptur. That woman is such as disappointment. I can't believe she is a pro-life asshole.

[mzmolly]

12. So the unions are now corporate shills?

Fascinating times... :sarcasm:

[Omaha Steve]

13. K&R!

[Dappleganger]

14. THIS is why you never betray the Unions...

they will come through for you with their strength but don't go pissing them off or away. They are an extremely valuable asset to have on your team and they have been taken for granted for far too long.