Edwards: In New Hampshire - a Lone Fighter for Unions

John Edwards: In New Hampshire, He's Alone Saying "Union"
by Tasini
Sun Jan 06, 2008 at 06:46:20 AM PST

Over the past few months, I, and others, have pointed out that John Edwards is clearly the strongest advocate for organized labor. Up here in New Hampshire, where I've been for the past couple of days, I think that has become more clear. That became clear yesterday.

:: Tasini's diary :: ::

All the Democratic candidates, if asked, will all profess their love for the labor movement. And I part company, slightly, with some of Edwards supporters, who have tried to paint other candidates, particularly Sens. Obama and Clinton, has being hostile to unions. I think the important difference is what candidates say, in their messages, when they are not asked specifically about unions. What do the say when they aren't asked specifically whether they support the Employee Free Choice Act (which elicits a no-brainer answer that, of course, every Democrat supports EFCA). Because that, I believe, gives some indication about what we can expect from a president when the hard fights come for the labor movement.

So, yesterday, I was with a group of United Auto Workers activists and leaders who were trudging through a relatively balmy day in Nashua, knocking on doors of Democrats and Independents. In Edwards' standard piece of literature, he specifically talks about "strengthening organized labor" as part of his economic program.

Mentions of unions in Sen. Obama's standard literature: zero.
Mentions of unions in Sen. Clinton's standard literature: zero.

Sen. Obama's literature is essentially a compilation of newspaper endorsements, highlighting very general appeals with no specifics, along with endorsements from the two members of Congress here, Carol Shea Porter and Paul Hodes. Sen. Clinton's literature highlights her general platform.

I think that matters. Aside from who actually wins the primary, it seems to me that our candidates are leaving some impressions on voters who read the literature--and, believe me, people here are reading the stuff, even if they are annoyed about being under siege (as one notice on a door said: "Campaigners, turn around, our primary decision has been made" and below that another sign with "beware of our attack dog" with a picture of a dog that I suppose could pose a legitimate threat).

So, to me, it says something about the Edwards philosophy that he explicitly links organized labor to the betterment of the middle-class.Second example from yesterday. Last night, I watched the debate in a ballroom with UAW folks. And the 35 minute mark of the debate, Edwards, in an answer generally talking about taking on special interests, pointed out that not all corporations are bad, citing Costco, which treats workers better than Wal-Mart, and, then, he said this:

"AT&T, for example, is now working to help unionize some of their offices and to bring jobs back."

Again, here's the point. Edwards brought the issue of unionization into the conversation without being prompted by a specific question. I think that speaks to his internalization of unions as a critical component of a decent society. He incorporates unions in his though process, not as part of answer that triggers the "okay, now I have to say something good about unions because I've been asked a 'union' question"

Mentions of unions by the other three Democratic candidates in last night's debate: ZERO.

Yesterday, in a break from campaigning, I asked Phil Wheeler, who served as the regional director of the UAW in the northeast for 17 years until he retired about 18 months ago, why he was supporting John. He said, "I'm supporting Edwards because he's the only one that talks about the labor movement no matter where he goes--in front of the Chamber of Commerce, in front of big business and in front of the labor movement. He talks about the need to build the labor movement if we're going to maintain a labor movement in the country."


http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/6/85823/61960/686/431557

the people for once....

communities who have been decimated by job loss and unemployment. Remember what state we're in right now. The sky will part and the message will get through the MSM blackout, which is up again in full force today.

:hi:

:toast:

Sorta like all three have their own ideas about the military. Their military experience is only exceeded by the vast military prowess of our deserter president Georgie.

Not that that matters a whole heck of a lot...but it could be a factor in any state with a lot of vets.

as someone said in another thread, you don't have to have had cancer to want to find a cure for cancer, or to treat it. But growing up with a father who was a factory worker, Edwards has roots there. And his message is right on point. He's been on the ground with people whose jobs have evaporated and is honed in on the problem.

Many of the problems workers faced over the past decade was because union leadership tried to be management's partner. I have seen this happen more than once. And I have seen officers in a union suddenly believe that office entitled them privileges above and beyond those accorded to the people they were selected to represent. WORKERS need to organize and select officers, not union officers select who they will represent. This needs to occur across the board for all workers. We need a new worker's movement as well as new women's and civil rights movements and the dead wood needs to be pruned.

by the power brokers, but having said that... I KNOW my family would NEVER have made it this far WITHOUT having been a member of a union! Regardless of how they have diminished, the benefits we STILL receive have helped us tremendously! Where I live, you say UNION to places like the hospitals or the larger companies around, except for Electric and Phone companies, you may as well consider your "job" in danger!!

That IS NOT Democratic!

in the South where nurses are essentially passive and afraid to lose their job if they mention Union. However, I am very active in the California Nurses Assoc and Natl Nurses Organizing Commitee, and they have done things heretofore thought UNDOABLE. They have made patient safety a priority, increased nurses salaries, decreased patient to nurse ratio by law, ensured retirement benefits.. and they advocate for Universal Healthcare for ALL people of the U.S.

If I worked or lived in California, I'd have a much better life. Here, if I mention a union at my place of work, I might as well look for another job. We need a strong resurgance of unions, the true and real kind of unions like it used to be. Leaders of some of the largest unions have all but sold out to corporations. Just one more instance of the stranglehold of corporations on the working class. Excellent point, thank you.

daughter works as a cardiac care nurse and my son-in-law in the Emergency room! That's how I know about the situation first hand.

And living in FLOR-EE-DUH certainly doesn't help matters!

Florida.. their reputation is about as bad as it is here in Tennessee ! Kudos to your daughter and SIL, tho !

mistakes in spelling or grammar! Although, being somewhat human, I DO make mistakes!

I say being somewhat human because, as hard as I try to get John Edwards and his message out to MSM, I feel like they think I'm some sort of whack job!! I know "off topic" but I'm so very PISSED! I "was" going to watch Wolfie today but just couldn't stomach it!

Generally I watch alternative networks and don't "go there" but have recently started watching more of MSM to "see" if Edwards was getting the coverage he really deserves, but I see it hasn't changed!

Chuck Todd was one of the first to announce on Hardball that D.C. Elites "hate" him, others followed and I NOW actually know it's true!

Shame on them, and shame on others for not wanting to "rise up" and DEMAND justice for him. But as I have often said... There's JUSTICE and then there's JUST-ICE!!

I wouldn't be surprised if it's written in the Democratic party platform. Hardly a novel idea.

Did you know that there's a union member who's running for President? Did you know that he's for Universal Single Payer Not for Profit Health Care? Did you know that's he's for pulling out of NAFTA and the WTO? That he would go back to bilateral trade agreements based on workers' rights, human rights and environmental quality principles? That he'd pull our troops out of Iraq, pronto: In fact, he was against the war from the start (he didn't co-sponsor the IWR) and hasn't voted to fund it?

So much for Edwards being a lone fighter for unions.

night at the debate. I'm very, very sorry that Kucinich was not in the debate last night. His voice was needed and missed, and IMHO, he needed to be there and Richardson out.

Edwards is PRO LABOR ORGANIZATION! He Understands the important balance that has been lost under the corporatist global multi national philosophy of the past TWO PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATIONS! Nuff Said!

Working America must restore the power of American Labor w/ its choice of A Democratic nominee.

Like John said, "This is not academic or political with me, This is deeply personal to me." :think: What does that mean... to you and your family?

There is a BIG Difference between an Academic discussion(Obama), or a Political discussion (Hillary), vs A PERSONAL AGENDA (Edwards). The Personal Perspective of John Edwards takes into account the consequences absorbed in the very REAL lives of the people who "personally" bear the cost of past policies on trade and unionization... and the very small relative numbers of people who benefit from the costs born by workers not only in this country, but around the globe. :think:

John Edwards Feels Our Pain is what he is saying and will do what ever he can to change the direction of this country in order to restore balance to our nations' policies. :eyes:

Look how they all sat back in 2000 and wouldn't even walk out with the black caucus ! They should all have freakin stood up and fought in 2004.. ALL of them. You absolutely cannot blame that on one man.

And for that matter, why weren't we, The People, out on the WH lawn or in front of the Ohio Legislature. There is plenty of blame to go around here, plenty.

entitled to ask HIM, in this context: where's the last one I gave you?

...I'm passing this on, along with KOS's other piece about how the M$M is ignoring Edwards.