http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/labor/train-wreck-on-the-horizon-for-dem-establishment-and-specter/Train-wreck On The Horizon For Dem Establishment And Specter?
It’s looking more and more like the Dem establishment’s embrace of its new darling, Senator Arlen Specter, could shape up as a major train-wreck come 2010.
Late last night, SEIU chief Andy Stern spoke out to ABC News about his meeting yesterday with Dem Rep Joe Sestak, who may challenge Specter in the 2010 Dem primary. Stern all but said Specter should forget about getting his support:
After the meeting, Stern said he told Sestak that, based on conversations with labor leaders in Pennsylvania, Specter is highly unlikely to get the support of organized labor if he votes against EFCA, the pro-unionizing measure that critics call “card-check.”
“There’s no way they’re ever going to be supporting someone who is seen as thwarting this opportunity,” Stern told ABC. “It is hard to imagine any union supporting a candidate in the Democratic Party for the US Senate who doesn’t have strong positions on both healthcare and Employee Free Choice.”
There a certain amount of bluffing and posturing going on here. But yesterday a top AFL-CIO official also strongly suggested labor wouldn’t support Specter, meaning leaders at two major unions are now on the same page on this question.
It’s looking more and more like labor will back a challenger to Specter, and that candidate would have the support of progressive activists and the netroots against Specter and the Dem establishment.Connecticut 2006 redux, anyone?
Update: Stern Tweets: “Sestak is serious about Senate race. Doing Senate Finance Roundtable today on health care.”
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