Union chief (Trumka) implores liberal activists to get Obama’s back on jobs proposal

[jefferson_dem]

Union chief implores liberal activists to get Obama’s back on jobs proposal
By Kevin Bogardus - 10/04/11 08:15 PM ET

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka implored liberal activists Thursday to get behind President Obama’s jobs bill.

Speaking at the Take Back the American Dream conference, the head of the nation’s largest labor federation said activists should support the White House’s $447 billion proposal, which includes funding to repair infrastructure, modernize school buildings and provide aid to local and state governments. Trumka said the legislation would help build a nationwide movement on jobs.

“Our first step is to support President Obama’s American Jobs Act and his demand that the millionaires and billionaires who have profited so handsomely pay their fair share of taxes to create jobs,” Trumka said.

The labor leader said that in the past, he has not held back from criticizing the president when he felt Obama was heading down the wrong path.

“See, like many of you in this room, I’ve been one of the first to call out President Obama when I thought it was needed. But when he’s doing the right thing, when he’s doing the courageous thing, it’s time for us to have his back and push that bill through,” Trumka said to applause.

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http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/185573-union-chief-implores-liberal-activists-to-get-obamas-back-on-jobs?utm_campaign=briefingroom&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitterfeed

[abelenkpe]

1. Yeah that's nice but

Cantor already said that bill is dead in the water and there is no chance of the house even discussing it so many will read this and think "Why bother?"

I think the bill should be bolder personally....but it is a tiny step in the right direction.

[ProSense]

3. Because

"Why bother?"

...Boehner and Cantor simply talk a lot of crap to give the impression that they're in full control.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Because

you can still get his back on the three Bush-Obama "free" trade agreements that he's flogging - those are extraordinarily popular with Republicans.

Help ensure a bipartisan victory.

[jenmito]

6. So Obama is trying to get people to call Congress and get them to change their minds...

and if they don't, he'll run against the Do-Nothing Congress.

[global1]

2. Not Only All Liberal Dems - But All Congressional Dems Both Senate & House.....

They should all be out hawking this for the President. It really pisses me off that some of them don't support it. What the he'll are they thinking?

[jenmito]

4. GOOD! I KNEW he'd speak out in support of Obama's job plan. He spoke out in favor of it

on MSNBC, and he has even more credibility since he HAS criticized Obama in the past.

[bigdarryl]

7. It's just not them its also those CORPERATE DEMOCRATS thats not supporting it

[pa28]

8. There are plenty of good things in the proposal I'm willing to get behind.

The free trade agreements are not among them and it's important to note Trumka does not support them either. He draws a distinction on that issue.

[jenmito]

9. Trumka is on Maddow's show right now. n/t

[bhikkhu]

10. I wish some of the OWS energy were applied in this direction...

If congress felt a little heat, they might actually do something that would make a real difference.

[CakeGrrl]

11. Rec