“If I sound angry it’s because I am.”
United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard unloaded on the Ed Schultz show today.
He was lit up about the comments we’ve all been talking about, but also that anyone would challenge why labor went into Arkansas, which was to fight for the working families of the state, not just for Halter, though he did not add that, but it was obvious.
Let me also add that I learned about a woman named Joyce Elliott from Howie Klein who benefited from labor’s big push in Arkansas (as well as Clinton, and Obama postcards). Otherwise, she’d have been beat, putting another Blue Dog in line to win the seat. She’s evidently a real progressive, an African American and if she wins in November she’ll be the first African-American to win a federal election in Arkansas since 1870 and the first African-American woman to win a federal election in Arkansas ever. She’s running against Karl Rove’s poodle, the disgraced ex-U.S. Attorney Tim Griffith.
Gerard also said that he was “disappointed in Pres. Clinton” for saying unions were trying to “manipulate” people’s votes and cause fear, saying it was flatly “untrue.”
It was a tour de force performance that leaves no doubt that whatever Greg Sargent is talking about this morning does not apply to Mr. Gerard.
When Ed teed up the re-election question, Gerard didn’t hesitate.
Whatever jackass went to Ben Smith to dump on labor on Tuesday has created a firestorm that Pres. Obama does not need right now. Gerard said that if someone is going to make comments like that he or she should have the guts to put their name behind it.
Political hacks don’t have the spine of working people. We all know that by now.
You know very well who it was in your heart of hearts. It was Rahm Emanuel the King of the Blue Dog Democrats the Clinton’s favorite creatures. Emanuel has been at the root of one mess after another in the Obama administration. It’s long past time for him to have been fired. Peace
Actually, I don’t know that, imhotep.
Could it have been? Absolutely, but this is serious stuff so speculating without any info, inside or otherwise, about who it was would be irresponsible of me in the extreme.
That’s why I love the comment section.
Inside information. Isn’t it funny how nobody is manning up on this thing? Rahm is the only gutless wonder that I’m aware of inside fantasyland. How about you? Peace
No, there are quite a few gutless wonders, believe me.
People *love* to talk, but once you’re going to write about it… It’s how Anonymous Source, Admin Official became people. See “Game Change,” which moved the bar on sourcing forever.
Frankly, when one is prone to every stupid conspiracy theory under the Sun, hates all things Clinton and pops off with fantasy history at the drop of a hat being willing to go on record with yet ANOTHER completely unsubstantiated conspiracy theory doesn’t come as any surprise does it?
Taylor…I have ceased to wonder about dumb statements that come out of the White House Press room. Whoever made the comment about labor should be fired. However, we will never know who that person was and bedside the Obama administration has got bigger problems going on presently, right now then to worry about the Ire of labor unions.
If Obama does not get elected that might be a good thing for America. Because the guy is pissing people off daily and voter anger toward him seem to be getting worse.
I don’t usually watch Ed Shultz but the last couple of days, he has been fired up about the white house comments and I agree, which is something I never thought would happen. Labor is a important group to the democratic party. If this keeps up, they might start supporting independent candidates, which I do hope happens !! The white house or democrats would not know what to think !!
I never thought I would see and hear democrats going against Labor !!
Labor has been the Democratic party. That was the Original base…that was formed with the country club rejects (The poor, servants, non-trustfunders, non-yale/Harvard alums). I am sooo totally not suprised by anything from this administration lately. Lets check under the bus shale we?
Women check
Gays check
Public Option Check
Withdrawal from wars Check
Financial Reform Check
Health Care Reform Check
Immigration (waiting for a good spped bump to throw it right under the bus)
I don’t think it was democrats as a whole going against labor, although that’s the way labor is trying to spin this.
In politics, there are huge power struggles that go on behind the scenes, often completely out of site.
I stand with labor, but I also have a hard time shedding a tear for two powerful political interests having a hissy fit.
is there video out yet of this. i missed ed today but sometimes they wait for the vid on line. so steelworkers are saying they mgith be a no for obama in 12? WOW. The dems need labor. period. obama now has a new crisis- self inflicted by his cocky staff .
I’m sure that all those young voters he amased will showup to the polls(SNARK)…boy oh boy this administration isnt humble at all…just a bunch of arrogant Sum b*****. Am I the only one to notice this…but President Obama doesn’t seem to be enjoying being President….Bill actually like it (Was good at it), even W seemed to enjoy it (Worst President in all of History).
I’m not sure I would say Bill is (or was) good at what he’s doing. We all love him, but look at the consequences of his actions.
Some staffer mouthed off after the fact. Okay. But Bill went down there to actively wage war on behalf of Plantation Blanche.
Union people already know Clinton did more to harm unions than the two Bush’s combined. Now this?
Point of presonal privilege. secularhumanevoluter couldn’t find his own ass with both hands. Or without the map that liberastheycome, another clueless individual, has drawn for him in crayon. Peace
Well, Obama can’t win without a lot of groups but he’s too arrogant to realize this. The sense of entitlement that reeks from him is beyond annoying.
Obama is taking some very bad advice from people who don’t have his, or our, best interests at heart. Would you like me to name them? Peace
Imhotep,
Your a smart guy but reading your comments sometimes requires me to shake my head!! Everything is always someone else’s fault,never the Presidents! I voted for Obama but he,yes he, has been the biggest disappointment!You think Obama is so smart just not smart enough to decide whats good advice???Come on wake up..
Very well said, tonyb