AFL-CIO's Richard Trumpka: Mid-terms a 'choice between the clean-up crew and the wrecking crew'

[flpoljunkie]

Trumka To Unions: Too Much At Stake To Let Frustration Keep You From Polls
Christina Bellantoni

August 3, 2010, 9:09AM

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka implored state and local labor leaders and political organizers this morning to fight harder than ever in the fall elections, pleading with them to think about progress that's been made under President Obama and to "keep going."

Trumka, who has not shied away from criticizing Obama, got specific with his pitch. He said the nation can't afford to have Senators like Republican candidates Sharron Angle (NV) and Rand Paul (KY), or to have a Speaker John Boehner if Democrats lose control of Congress. He also criticized the Democrats who haven't been supportive of the labor movement.

Like other Democrats, he framed the election as a choice between moving ahead and Republicans wanting to return to the George W. Bush era, a choice between "the clean-up crew and the wrecking crew." Trumka rattled off gains made under the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress -- from health care to Wall Street reform, and a Labor Department and National Labor Relations Board he said stand up for workers. He acknowledged those new laws don't have everything his movement fought for. Trumka was in fact in last minute negotiations over health care reform, and vocal about his frustration that it did not go as far as labor leaders wanted.

But, he said, "That's progress. And we've got to keep it going."

more...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/trumka-to-labor-activists-too-much-at-stake-to-let-frustration-with-obama-keep-you-from-polls.php?ref=fpb

[babylonsister]

1. Rec'd for truth! Keep talking, Mr. Trumka!

:thumbsup:

[flamingdem]

8. +1

[Spazito]

2. Succinct and right on point...

"...a choice between "the clean-up crew and the wrecking crew."

Recommended.

[Cosmocat]

3. Two best lines of the cycle ...

I will add this to "BO volunteered to be the captain of the titanic AFTER it sunk."

[DrToast]

7. Agree. Expect to hear that a lot.*

*

[Clio the Leo]

4. Solidarity Forever! nt

[ProSense]

5. The wrecking crew wants to

put America back in the red.

[SunsetDreams]

6. K&R

[catgirl]

9. A good way to put it n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

10. LOVE IT!

[great white snark]

11. I like it! K&R

bump