Labor Launches Massive Electoral Effort. Will Dems Return the Favor?

[Omaha Steve]

The local labor federation called for me while I was at work today. I'm on the known to be voting for Tom White (D-Ne) list. I guess they want to make sure I don't forget.


http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/6570/labor_launches_massive_electoral_effort_what_will_dems_take_from_it/

Tuesday 19 Oct 10 3:10 pm

By Roger Bybee


In Miami, local labor unions and Democratic politicians organized a get out the vote rally on the grounds of Jackson Memorial hospital on Oct. 18, the first day of early voting for Florida residents. (Photo by JOE RAEDLE/Getty Images)


Labor is waging an all-out battle to preserve Democratic majorities in Congress, an impressive effort outlined in a memo by AFL-CIO Political Director Karen Ackerman.

AFL-CIO members have already made 23.6 million phone calls, distributed 175 million leaflets, and held member-to-member conversations in 4,000 workplaces. Labor also has at least 40,000 members in 37 of the 75 most-hotly contested House districts. Particularly important is labor's ability to use direct member-to-member contacts, because such personal conversations convey information coming from a trusted source.

LABOR EFFORT MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER TO DEMS

The exertions by the AFL-CIO are especially critical to the Democrats this year because of the vast, unrestrained and undisclosed corporate contributions that the Chamber of Commerce and Karl Rove's American Crossroads are using for attack ads against Democrats. Labor's help is thus more important than ever, as the NY Times reports (although note the way it ridiculously equates as "outside forces" the unlimited corporate funding with the grassroots efforts of millions of unionists):

President Obama and the Democrats have spent much of the last several weeks complaining about outside groups — mostly financed by big business and wealthy donors — that they believe are interfering in campaigns across the country.

But by their own admission, the Democrats are relying more than ever this year on another outside force to help even the playing field: organized labor.

WITHOUT DEMS, NO CHANCE OF STIMULUS

Labor also realizes that if the Republicans capture the House, they will block every stimulus effort in the name of fighting the deficit.

FULL story at link.

[defendandprotect]

1. Labor/Unions have also been victims of Obama/Rahma .... but we need to continue push TO THE LEFT....

would make no sense to go backwards --

We need to break thru the right wing block --

After that we can double back and deal with rw/corporate Dems -- !!

[oswaldactedalone]

2. Much Thanks to the Labor Unions!

Hope it's effective.

[msongs]

3. lo shhh don't ask.....don't tell nt

[lamp_shade]

4. Wonderful. K&R