Unions in push to help Democrats win Congress ($40,000,000)

[Algorem]

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2006-02-28T004401Z_01_N27377491_RTRUKOC_0_US-LABOR.xml&archived=False

Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:44 PM ET


By Peter Szekely

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - AFL-CIO leaders on Monday approved an ambitious and expensive political strategy aimed at mobilizing their members to put Democrats back in control of Congress and several state legislatures.

While a few Republicans may get labor backing, the $40 million plan -- the biggest ever for the labor federation in a non-presidential election year -- would target 21 states and 40 congressional districts where union officials believe Democratic candidates can win in the November election.

"We're hopeful that this campaign is going to be very successful in electing a majority to Congress as well as state legislatures and governors' races who can be held accountable on (worker-related) issues," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney told a news conference.

Sweeney insisted that the 54-union federation's political program was officially nonpartisan, but he acknowledged that support will go overwhelmingly to Democrats...

[babylonsister]

1. Whooo-hooo! That's a lot of dough! Spend it wisely please. nt

[Fridays Child]

2. I hope they use the $ to blanket the airwaves...

...because that's where this battle will be won.

[MadMaddie]

16. Amen to that....

This has been my biggest gripe...the Democratic party has done nothing as far as getting commercials aired.....(I am talking all groups that are Democratic not a specific one)

[mzmolly]

3. This is marvelous. Democrats must share an agenda which supports

strengthening unions in the coming elections as well.

[sheelz]

4. That's great news!

Also noted in the article:

"Another growing arsenal for the AFL-CIO is its Working America affiliate of more than 1 million nonunion workers who have joined voluntarily and receive a constant stream of labor's messages on issues of economic importance to workers."


Perhaps 2 million+ :thumbsup:

[flyarm]

5. thank you , thank you unions!! you make me proud to say...

i have been a lifelong union member!!

APFA...fly

[Olney Blue]

6. I hope the Dems can help all working people.

The Republicans certainly won't.

[Coexist]

7. k & r - let's take it back. My new favorite quote:

http://www.kuratrading.com/PDF/Walmart1.pdf
<snip>

Says Steve Dobbins, president of thread maker Carolina Mills: "We want clean air, clear water, good living conditions, the best health care in the world--yet we aren't willing to pay for anything manufactured under those restrictions."

[corbett]

8. Kerry Needed This In 2004!

This is starting at about the right time for 2006 and with a solid commitment of money. Let's hope Dr. Dean has them on speed dial!

__________

http://www.harpers.org/TheCaseForImpeachment.html

[shanti]

9. precisely why

the repukes want to destroy our unions.:(

[earth mom]

10. A very smart move. nt

[SoCalDem]

11. Here's the rub, for me, at least

Unions get precious little in the way of support from elected officials, yet they claim to always want campaign help/money from unions..

EVERY worker should have union representation.. A TRUE Mom & Pop store might be exempted, but there are ways to "protect" small companies through tax breaks..

There is NO reason on earth why a person should not be able to work a full time job, and make enough money to live on..and be able to see a doctor when they are sick..

That is NOT asking too much in the "richest" country on the planet.

[sarcasmo]

12. Kick and Nom #8 for the Unions and the working class party.

[Broke In Jersey]

13. On the radio this morning...

they mentioned that they will be spending it INTERNALLY instead of just plain donations. MUCH MUCH MUCH better this way. Will help the 'get out the vote' machine as well as pushing the message which is far more important than just blind donation.

[stepnw1f]

14. We More Than Ever Need Unions

It's the only way we can fight these corporate giants.

Also, SPRINT allows workers to Unionize. I will be dropping my current provider for Sprint because of this. Just found out about this information this morning on Maddow's show.

[robcon]

15. This is why the AFL-Cio has been bleeding members.

Get out of politics!

Organize! Organize! Organize!

This is an utter waste of members' dues, IMO.

[wordpix]

17. YES! Whatever it takes, as long as it's legal & no lies---unlike repuke

tactics