Unions Struggling to Get Members to Rally Behind Dems

by: warner todd huston | published: 09 19, 2010

When voters are not enthused even unions find it harder to get their supporters to rally to an election and this is one of the worst years for Democrats on record. Unions are finding their efforts hard slogging just like the rest of the Democrat Party is. It's so bad even The New York Times is reporting the Union's woes.

As we've repeatedly talked about here, The Times reports that Big Labor is pumping millions into the Democrat's pockets in hopes of fighting off the conservative Tea Party enthusiasm out there this election year. Apparently, though, unions are finding that, like other Democrat constituencies, their members are not "feeling particularly enthusiastic about the party."

Unions have been bitterly disappointed by Obama. When they voted for him only 2 years ago they thought that they had won the battle for all the freebies and payoffs that they'd ever want. But they've been frustrated by key losses -- such as an inability to get cap and trade, green initiatives, and their most desired legislation the Employee Free Trade Act (EFCA).

Many unionistas have been upset at various members of the Democrat majority that have backpeddled on union demands because voters have spoken so loudly against then unions. For a while there unions were even making noise as if they'd actually work against Democrats that didn't bow on bended knee before Big Labor. A few primary races earlier in the year even saw unions work against recalcitrant Democrats. But apparently that idea has fallen by the wayside as far as Big Labor's bosses are concerned as more evidence of how badly Democrats might lose in November comes to light.

It is a measure of the dread among Democrats and their labor allies that several unions are no longer threatening to withhold endorsements from some conservative or moderate Democrats, like Representative Zack Space of Ohio, because they had bucked labor on health care legislation or other issues. Now, unions are generally backing those Democrats, feeling labor cannot afford such a strategy when the Democrats’ prospects seem so troubled.

The specter of a rout has scared Big Labor back to strict alliance with incumbent Democrats instead of trying to flex muscle against certain Democrats that have not been heeding labor's call.

Big Labor sees a big spanking coming their way and they are scared. But this is a whirlwind unions deserve to reap.

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