NY1News: Bloomberg's Dem Rivals Downplay His Historic Union Endorsement

[DeepModem Mom]

Bloomberg's Democratic Rivals Downplay His Historic Union Endorsement
July 14, 2005


The mayor's Democratic rivals aren't granting much credence to Bloomberg's historic endorsement Wednesday by the city's largest municipal union, District Council 37.

Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer's campaign told NY1: "I think that the rank and file members of DC 37 share Ferrer's vision of making New York City work better for working people...and we think Ferrer will have their support on election night."

Congressman Anthony Weiner's campaign said: "If the mayor really had broad support among the electorate he wouldn't have to spend countless millions on television advertisements after a full term in office just to convince New Yorkers to give him another chance."...

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The union's executive committee narrowly approved the Bloomberg endorsement, voting 14 to 12, in a historic move. The union has never before thrown its support behind a Republican candidate....

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DC 37’s 121,000 members will set up phone banks and a canvassing effort, which should help the mayor on Election Day....(L)ast year, Bloomberg won praise from the union when the city agreed to pay members a one percent pay hike in return for productivity gains.


http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=52122

[Tiggeroshii]

1. Wow.

I guess it really is a remarkable thing for unions to endorse a Republican. It's said, but astounding for it to happen.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. Hmmm....interesting; I wonder how....

the fantastically wealthy Bloomberg "managed" union problems while building his corporate empire.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but the leadership of DC 37 has a history of not always representing it's membership faithfully.

I wonder what persuaded the 14 members of the board who voted to endorse B. It seems unlikely that it would be the current contract , which is most definitely "modest" in terms of gains made by the rank and file. So much so , that the other municipal unions have overtly rejected the DC 37 pact as a precedent for their own still-in-progress negotiations.

[brooklynite]

3. This is a serious story...

...because in a city with a 5-1 Democratic registration advantage, the voters are likely to extend Republican control of City Hall to sixteen straight years. This is largely occuring because all the Democratic candidates (my personal choice included) are offering no clear and compelling vision as to why they would do a better job than bloomy; instead, they're focusing their energies on coalition-based (blacks / hispanics / jewish liberals / outer boro white ethnics, etc.) campaigns which might get them the nomination (or at least into the runoff) but provide no basis on which to build a winning campaign in November.

[hadrons]

4. old story; Repukes have been sucking union leadership and then ...

after the election blowing them off the last few cycles

[Toots]

5. The union has never before thrown its support behind a Republican candidat

To be fair Bloomburg used to be a Democrat. That should tell the Union something though. He can not be trusted. He will change his ideology at the drop of a hat to win an election so he would sell out his followers in the same manner. If the Unions don't wish to support those that support them then they deserve what the Republicans will give them.

[President Jesus]

6. Bloomberg is hardly what anyone would call a "Republican"

Besides, the Dems could not have found 3 less known, less dynamic candidates to run against Bloomberg.