Remember the animosity between labor unions and certain conservative Democrats that played out in the spring primaries? After defeat in many instances, labor unions said they wouldn’t play in most general elections. In essence, they’d rather lose by sticking to their principles and by punishing Democrats that haven’t helped them.
That’s not necessarily the case. Unions have been "holding their noses" and supporting many Democrats over Republicans this fall, reports Politico.
All told, the country’s biggest labor organizations — AFSCME, SEIU, AFL-CIO and the National Education Association — are expected to spend about $200 million this cycle, much of it in the form of lightly regulated “independent expenditure” ads against Republican candidates. That’s competitive with spending by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Crossroads, two pro-GOP groups spending millions on hard-hitting ads against Democrats.
That reversal of fortune won’t benefit embattled Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln apparently. Politico reports that labor is sticking to its guns with her – no money for the general election.
You may have noticed that Lincoln singles out unions in her latest ad, which we reported earlier this week. A perusal of FEC documents shows no labor expenditures spent on behalf of Lincoln this fall, although a number of agricultural, financial and health care related groups have advocated for her cause.
Politico also has a lengthier piece on the moving parts that have tilted Democratic fortunes from the euphoria of Obama’s 2008 election to today’s political climate that has Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate in jeopardy.
The political forces currently aligned against Democrats — apathy in the liberal base, flight among independents and Republican rage — trace back to early 2009, and the White House either miscalculated their risks or intensified them through its actions, notes Politico.
Lincoln finds herself inserted in this story, too. You can read the full report at this link.
