GOP War on Unions Could Boost President Obama in 2012

[ProSense]

GOP War on Unions Could Boost President Obama in 2012

Benjy Sarlin

<...>

Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana are each embroiled in battles with unions, each are considered battleground presidential states, and each swung hard right in the midterm elections after going for Obama in 2008. Political observers suggest that a newly re-energized union vote could have a profound impact in all three states the next time around -- and perhaps across the country.

"Given the intensity of emotion that Wisconsin has generated, supplemented by actions in other states, it's very possible that there will be ripple effects all the way to November 2012," Larry Sabato, Director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, told TPM. "Unions see this struggle as life-or-death, so they are bound to put extra resources into the swing states that are the epicenter of this controversy."

Sabato cautioned that Democratic gains might be offset by Republicans getting fired up as well, but given the significant "enthusiasm gap" between the two last November, any boost in turnout is likely a net gain for Democrats.

<...>

Certainly firing up union households could be a boon -- they made up only 17% of the electorate in 2010, down from 21% in 2008. Democrats' hold on their votes is hardly ironclad either, with only 59% of union households backing Obama in his first presidential race. In an analysis of the union vote's overall impact, Nate Silver determined that a gain of even a few percentage points in support could prove a significant obstacle to Republican presidential hopes.

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[craigmatic]

1. I see this as helping democrats generally. As far as it helping Obama in particular well

that remains to be seen. He hasn't really said much in support of the unions. He also supports charter schools which is equally damaging to teacher unions. If he wants their support Obama has to seem like he's on their side before he asks them for their vote. The 2004 election showed us that just being anti-republican isn't enough. You have to give people something to positively support.

[jenmito]

6. Did you see this thread?:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=627926&mesg_id=627926

[craigmatic]

14. Nope thanks for the link.

[OHdem10]

2. It can be a boon IF IF IF, the Democratic Activists of all Kinds

collaborate or join with the Unions, push up their
sleeves and get to work educating this country on
just what is going on here. Old fashioned grunt work.
Fire up all Democrats making them feel a part of something
and showing them once and far all Elections Have Consequences.

And If If IF the Democrats on the Hill get spinal transplants
getting themselves on the OFFENSE. This waiting around
and letting the Republicans come up with all the ideas
and then the Democrats "trying" to push back. This is
a losing proposition. Democrats, Leaders take risks.

The President is going to have to start showing where
he stands and playing offense also. He must start explaining
the how, and why of his policies.

Hiding under the desk approach no longer works.

Both parties have missed one important point. The
Country is not as Conservative as the Conservatives
in either party.

corrected spelling

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Unless a pro-union candidate runs

That could split the left vote.

[jaxx]

4. Between who?

[ProSense]

5. Well,

good luck with that.

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Historic union vote for airport officers begins

Joe Davidson

At a time when basic public employee union activities in state governments are under attack, Uncle Sam is staging what labor leaders say is the largest federal union organizing effort in history.

In contrast to Wisconsin and Ohio, where conservative politicians want to strip labor organizations of certain collective bargaining rights, 44,000 federal transportation security officers will be able to vote to choose a union, or no union, during a six-week period beginning Wednesday.

"It certainly is a contrast, and I'm very proud of the Obama administration for standing up and granting collective bargaining rights to TSOs, especially in the face of this outrageous attack on public employees that's going on in Wisconsin and Ohio," said John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. He spoke by phone from the Minneapolis airport, where he met with potential union members. "I just wish the American public would sit in some of the discussions we're having with TSOs and hear their frustrations and how they feel unions will make their working life better and contribute to the security of the airports."

<...>

AFGE and NTEU, the two biggest federal unions, both want to represent the TSOs, and winning the election would provide a major boost to the victor. That would be particularly welcome during a period when the atmosphere for public workers, at state and federal levels, is far more hostile than it was just months ago.

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[slay]

7. Be nice if Obama would do something good for the people to boost himself instead of relying on Repub

failure. Sad way to lead IMO.

[bahrbearian]

8. +1

[indimuse]

10. took the words out of my mouth!

;)

[ProSense]

13. What could he

possibly do?

[golfguru]

9. Any one know what percent are union Vs Non-Union workers?

when looking at the entire working age population?

[Deep13]

11. I hope so.

Well, part of me hopes so because I know the Rs would be much, much worse. But part of me is indifferent because POTUS seems so indifferent about our rights.

[Scurrilous]

12. K & R

:thumbsup: