AFL-CIO says it helped Dems (isn’t sorry for the role it played in ousting Democratic Sen. Lincoln)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44659.html



Labor isn’t sorry for the role it played in ousting embattled Democrat Blanche Lincoln. | AP Photo

By ROBIN BRAVENDER | 11/3/10 2:46 PM EDT Updated: 11/3/10 4:12 PM EDT

Big Labor is patting itself on the back for softening the blow yesterday’s elections had on congressional Democrats. And for all the credit it’s giving itself in helping liberal lawmakers hang on, labor isn’t sorry for the role it played in ousting embattled Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln.

Tuesday’s election, which gave Republicans a commanding majority in the House and more power in the Senate, was a disappointment to union members, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka told reporters Wednesday. But the labor group’s grass-roots organizing prevented “even worse” results in states like Nevada, West Virginia and California, he added.

Trumka credited labor with helping Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) win his tight reelection bid in a state with a high number of union voters. “We played a significant role,” Trumka said of the Nevada Democrat’s victory over tea party favorite Sharron Angle. The AFL-CIO chief stumped for Reid last week in Reno, telling supporters Nevada was “ground zero” in the battle of Main Street versus Wall Street.

FULL story at link.