Obama joins Wisconsin's budget battle, opposing Republican anti-union bill

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Washington Post

By Brady Dennis and Peter Wallsten

MADISON, WIS. - President Obama thrust himself and his political operation this week into Wisconsin's broiling budget battle, mobilizing opposition Thursday to a Republican bill that would curb public-worker benefits while planning similar action in other state capitals.

Obama accused Scott Walker, the state's new Republican governor, of unleashing an "assault" on unions in pushing emergency legislation that would nullify collective-bargaining agreements that affect most public employees, including teachers.

The president's political machine worked in close coordination Thursday with state and national union officials to mobilize thousands of protesters to gather in Madison and to plan similar demonstrations in other state capitals.

Their efforts began to spread, as thousands of labor supporters turned out for a hearing in Columbus, Ohio, to protest a measure from Gov. John Kasich (R) that would cut collective-bargaining rights.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/17/AR2011021705494.html?hpid=topnews

---

FULL story at link.

[OneGrassRoot]

1. Thanks. K&R :) n/t

[wolfgirl]

9. but just last nite I heard Big Ed talk about how

Obama wasn't supporting the unions?

(Not that I would believe that)

[dennis4868]

11. Sometimes Big Ed does not have all the facts

3-4 days ago Obama was interviewed by a Wisconsin radio station going after Walker and spoke very positively in favor of the unions....there used to be a time when facts mattered at DU but not anymore...

[HankyDubs]

85. maybe big "O"

Watched Rachel last night. This isn't just about public employees, it's about the survival of the democratic party.

[barbtries]

13. my interpretation was that Ed Schultz

(that's his name right?) was positing that PO wasn't throwing enough weight behind the protests in WI. and i have to say that i am glad to see this morning that he is now doing so.
we could have been viewing different segments. in the part i watched, at the time the only lawmaker to have come out on the side of the protesters was Dick Durbin.
he also promised to stay on this story for as long as it takes, so i'll be watching a lot more of him.

[northoftheborder]

29. Obama's statement the day before was mushy, not strong.

Easy to derive from that that vague and typically bland statement, that he wasn't decidedly backing the workers.

[roguevalley]

33. I agree. He didn't step in. He gave a soft platitude that could be i

interpreted both ways. Someone probably told him his re-election army was at stake and he finally decided to act. This just now jump in in a firm way speaks of him working for his own self interests rather than others. If he really believed what he said he would have done it immediately. This is a governor not a senator or rep. He has no convictions on this issue in my opinion beyond his own self interest.

[savalez]

65. By all means

cast doubt on his motives for joining the fight, chide him for not being there sooner, and then add pure conjecture about his convictions. Heck, just throw in a Muslim reference and you'll be an invited guest on Faux News in 3, 2, 1.

[liberalmike27]

41. Well, Don't Listen to Ed

Did you hear the words from Obama's lips, what he actually said? He was amazingly milquetoast, sounded like a republican, of course froze the spending on all federal employees himself, before every receiving any concessions from Republicans as to what they were going to throw in as their part of whatever compromise from hell he'd come up with. That's par for the course by the way.

But I'm glad, and a bit surprised that he jumped on board, that he might've actually made the case for "Democratic" values, for "workers" and real people in this society.

Christ, people make from hundreds of thousands to millions, even some Billions of dollars, many with 15 percent total tax burden on the money they make, and not a whisper as to them making too much. But a public sector employee with a family making 40-80 grand a year is making too much, demanding too much?

I'd love to see though, how many public sector workers in the country have voted for the Republicans over the last 30 years, who are now attacking them. I'd bet a surprisingly large percentage who thought their own jobs were safe, had voted for Republicans, who've attacked the private sector and exported all of their jobs, and pushed the anti-union, anti-protectionism message. I hope they've awakened to the fact they've voted for their economic enemies.

[SkyDaddy7]

2. Why is it when I Rec this post...

The number of recs stay the same? Are there actually people who are against Obama supporting the Unions? I get more confused of exactly what it is folks here want from President Obama.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LawnKorn]

4. When I recommend it, the tally went from 5 to 6

The rec function is working.

[SkyDaddy7]

6. I am sure it is working that was not my concern...

I have rec'ed post before when the number was 0 recs & it would remain at zero...I have rec'ed post before & it jump from 4 recs to 7 as I guess others were doing so at the same time. It was the same here but it remained at 3...So obviously someone was unrecing the post at the same time. This is why I said what I did.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Matariki]

56. HBGary Sockpuppet Army.

[florida08]

5. Kicking hard

Now there's the man I voted for

[AnneD]

7. He is late to the party....

My guess, he is trying to ride the dragon. I am still looking for him to put a knife in our backs down the road-it has been his pattern. I will be pleasantly surprised if he doesn't.

[Javaman]

16. Obama supports the left. That's one in a row. lol nt

[RBInMaine]

69. Do you have to be that shitty? Kindly cut the shit.

[Javaman]

95. LOL best non-reply ever! nt

[nilram]

89. Do you have to be that right on? Kindly keep it up!

Thanks!

[Javaman]

96. Cheers! :) nt

[swilton]

23. ++++

Totally agree - he's always the opportunist. And it's not as if the budget problems in Wisconsin (whether existing or not) and in other states that are facing or enacting similar measures occurred in a vacuum - i.e., unemployment, financial crises, rising costs, etc., etc.

[bread_and_roses]

26. + many - and he can stuff his "adjustments" for "everyone"

I guess we can be grateful for any crumb from the banquet he's set for our Oligarch Overlords. If he's supporting labor in Wisconsin, maybe he ought to take a walk across the street to the AFL-CIO, just like he did for the Chamber?

And as long as he's talking "everyone" has to sacrifice and doing things like freezing the wages of Fed workers in a blatant political play (as if THEY broke the budget, ha) then he's not on our side. No, Obama, "everyone" shouldn't have to make "adjustments" - because "everyone" did not bring down the economy, that was your Bankster friends - and any "adjustment" has to come out of their hides, not ours. Our hides are already damn near flayed to the bone. I guess "adjustments" like freezing to death or going hungry or losing your home are somehow to be compared to a tax on your rich buds? I don't think so.
edit: sp

[SammyWinstonJack]

27. +++1000000

:applause:

[Raksha]

32. +1000

[Tansy_Gold]

94. + another million

I'm beginning to think "shared sacrifice" really means "the working classes need to sacrifice everything they have and share it with the rich."

Are there, by the way, ANY elected officials of any party actually advocating raising taxes on the rich?

The BF said, for the umpteenth time, that corporations should pay higher taxes, and I countered that with the idea that they would just pass any increased cost/expense to the ultimate consumer, and if costs rose too much, it would be further incentive to move operations to lower wage, less regulated labor markets. Therefore, the solution is to raise taxes on The Rich.

There. I said it.


RAISE TAXES ON THE RICH. RAISE TAXES ON UNEARNED INCOME, INCLUDING FAT INHERITANCES.


TG, TT

[rury]

39. AnneD President Obama is not "late to the party"

YOU are just "late to pay attention" to what he said.

[JDPriestly]

54. When did Obama first make a statement about what is going on in Wisconsin?

I am unclear about that.

[AnneD]

57. Beggin your pardon.....

but I have been listening to him very very closely, especially when he made his cabinet choices. Summers, Bernanke and Geithner was the clearest indication to be to bring out the KY jelly. I have seen little to change my opinion. I refuse to make excuses or rationalize his choices anymore. And I will not support him in any attempt for a 2nd term. As I had on my sig line for a while, I voted for hope and all I got was change.

[Ignis]

67. Are you claiming that he previously spoke these exact words?

Or ... well, what, exactly, other than a personal attack? :shrug:

[Arkana]

81. Do not be nonconformist.

Everything Obama does is bad and everything Jane Hamsher does is good. If you don't think so you're a CORPOFASCIST DEE ELL CEE BANKSTER PLANT.

Now prepare to be assimilated.

[Lorien]

63. Yep, just as on Egypt. At least he's consistant. nt

[corpseratemedia]

8. Please can you do this all the time Mr. President!!!!!!!!!!!

Citizens United will destroy this country!!!

[sybylla]

10. If they're talking about OFA, it's bullshit

OFA is no longer the president's political operation. It's the DNC's political operation. And, OFA has been working to support this effort since the moment Walker proposed this bill because the various OFA organizations on the ground asked for it. This support came from the bottom up. Not from the top down.

I know. I've been working closely in Wisconsin with an OFA regional organizer. That they are giving Obama credit is ridiculous.

[Le Taz Hot]

12. Speaking of TRUTH

Thank you. Blind Loyalists: Please read.

[blondeatlast]

20. I read it, plus I read the article. Sorry, but you and sybella are both wrong.

Search my posts, I'm anything but a blind loyalists OR hater. I take the time to READ and make up my own mind.

Obama has vociferously opposed Walker and supported collective bargaining.

But do go on--both sides on DU are getting quite tiresome, some old, same old, every goddamned time. I can predict this shit.

[pulledpork]

87. Wish I could recommend your post n/t

[sybylla]

88. I never called you either. Just stating the facts.

If the article is referring to OFA, the work they are doing was not at Obama's behest. At most, it was at the Democratic Party's behest. The OFA movement in Wisconsin is strong and growing and made up of the exact same people who are protesting in Madison. There's no way in hell they'd wait for anyone in DC to tell them what to do. In fact, I know the organizations on the ground have been given full control of their own organizations and have had the resources at their fingertips for the past year to make the phone calls and organize support for the protesters - as they have been doing since the moment Walker announced his BS bill last Friday.

I'm in Wisconsin. I'm living this. I'm part of several organizations working to make our stand against this bill even stronger - including OFA.

Calling me wrong doesn't change the facts. Nor does it make you right.

[Le Taz Hot]

93. The comment wasn't directed at you.

Ah, BAL, you KNOW I lerves ya! :toast:

[florida08]

35. thanks for that information

[Courtesy Flush]

14. Obama's taking a stand for something?

Good for him.

[RBInMaine]

70. Extremist nonsense. Give it a rest.

[myrna minx]

15. I'm pleasantly surprised - Perhaps he remembers who did the heavy lifting for his campaign.

Thank you Mr President. K&R.

[JNelson6563]

17. Rock on Mr. President!

:toast:

[Buenaventura]

18. i doubt that scott walker will back down

he'll score some points by opposing Obama, and union busting is exactly the kind of thing that the republican governors association elected him to do

[Bluenorthwest]

19. Obama's words sound stronger edited and pasted as they are

here. He actually used a raft of moderating words. I hope he means what this edit sounds like. He actually said "Generally, this seems more like an assault on Unions." Seems like, generally.
It is Union busting. Not generally seems more like an assault. It is just Union busting, and the waffle side order, well, as I said, it reads better without all the extra syrup the President actually used.
If you were assaulted, and I said 'well, in general it seems more like an assault' you would take that well? Seems like?
This OP makes it sound very different than what he really, really said. In the quoted portion in the OP, exactly one word is given from the quote. "Assault." That is the only quote from Obama in the text above. A stirring one word indictment!

[Zhade]

25. Indeed. Mealy-mouthed half-hearted concern doesn't make me forget Arne Duncan.

NT!

[Scruffy1]

36. I noticed the editing of the weasel words also.

[dotymed]

21. I thought that

candidate Obama promised us a law that would make it simple to start a Union? That would be nice.

I hope that Wisconsin becomes the starting point for the peaceful revolution we so desperately need. We must overhaul (IMO), not overthrow our government. Bernie Sanders or Dennis Kucinich would make an excellent spokesperson (again IMO) for the changes we MUST make in our country.

[fasttense]

22. You are probably getting unrecs because this article is so full of bull.

Brady Dennis and Peter Wallsten make it sound as if the Democratic party manufactured this protest. Read the full article. It belittles the protesters as a bunch of children playing around.

The article describes the protest as "part rock concert, part World Cup match, part high school pep rally and part massive slumber party."

Slumber party really??? High school pep rally, oh come on.

WaPo is making sound as if President Obama made this protest out of whole cloth and that he found a bunch of idiots to come and dance before the cameras.

Here's another poorly hidden insult to those union protesters: "Outside, another throng had gathered to cheer and chant before the television cameras." Television cameras? When did they get there? Not until 5 days after the protest and after 30 to 40 thousand people had already gathered.

WaPo is talking crap trying to bolster RepubliCON talking points and Brady Dennis and Peter Wallsten are nothing but propagandists.

[Jackpine Radical]

28. I gave it a rec because Obama spoke out, not because of

the quality of the writing.

And you're absolutely right about the slant of the thing.

[EFerrari]

34. For the win.

[coalition_unwilling]

24. What will Obama say or do if and when there is a General Strike

among all Wisconsin public sector employees covered by collective bargaining?

Obama is, after all, a capitalist. Will he support the capitalist elite (personified by Walker and Wisconsin Repukes) or will he support the working class if it shuts capitalism in the state down? If Walker tries to call out the National Guard to break the strike, will Obama federalize the guard to shut Walker down? (Think Arkansas and Alabama in the 1950s and 60s.)

I'll wait and see.

[GillesDeleuze]

31. WHEN IS RIGHT!

STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE

[joeybee12]

30. Sorry, but giving Obama more credit, and they're doing this so the right-wing

can claim he's behind all this. "Seems like an assualt" is pretty tame language.

Note how there are few quotes from Obama to justify the headline?

[AllyCat]

38. I have no faith that this President will support us on this at all.

I wish people would stop "waiting for him to do something" cuz the man who put Arne Duncan in charge of the Dept of Ed is not going to do much to help us if he does not have real good reason to do so. Public sentiment (outrage) won't be enough.

[DesertDiamond]

40. A union steward friend of mine told me Pres. Obama is very supportive of unions.

[AnneD]

58. Ask the teachers...

I think they might give you a different opinion.

[Democat]

42. Almost the entire thread is Obama bashing!

Amazing, but expected here on DU lately.

[AllyCat]

46. His initial statement was that we all have to make sacrifices

but he thought maybe Walker's attempt to use the National Guard against us was a little over the top.

I am sorry, but his initial reaction needed to be a lot stronger and now seems to be changing with the wind. I wish he would come to our aid, but I don't see it yet. If you do, please post it as I would love to believe he will help us.

[savalez]

48. Wrong. I heard that clip and it was not exactly as you put it.

I believe he qualified it by saying

[jwirr]

43. Thank you Big Ed. Now that is a make me do it moment.

[Zephie]

44. Late to the Party again, Mr. President

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[davidthegnome]

75. Just a suggestion

Read your own reply. Consider what you said and how others might view it.

I'm all in favor of us all being less dickish. Fighting fire with fire though - it doesn't actually put out a fire.

[54anickel]

45. Seems this assault on workers at the local level is in anticipation of the Employee Free Choice Act.

There is a 2 sided assault on worker's rights going on, one at the Federal level the other at the state.
Why else would corporations have such a strong opposition ot the EFCA?

snip from wiki (I know, not a favored source on DU) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employee_Free_Choice_Act
Business reaction
During an October 17, 2008 conference call, Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus spoke against the EFCA, calling it "the demise of a civilization". He went on to say: "If a retailer has not gotten involved with this, if he has not spent money on this election, if he has not sent money to Norm Coleman and these other guys," then those retailers "should be shot; should be thrown out of their goddamn jobs."<53>

In January 2009, FedEx exercised an option to buy fifteen Boeing 777F planes and had an option to buy fifteen more. The contract between the two companies allows FedEx to cancel the second order if Congress passes the EFCA.<54> In April 2009, the Associated Builders and Contractors sent a letter to every member of Congress on behalf of 3,000 construction firms opposing the bill in any form.

I've also noticed in the many facebook discussions that suddenly the Walker backers are all posting links to the unionfacts.com site, which has very little fact behind it, but does point to a couple of think tank studies. I'd not heard of this site until recently and these studies link to the laborpains.org page...looks like this was thrown together pretty quickly.

[Dragonfli]

47. I heard him say he supported the cuts, that we must all be cut (adjusted),did his mind change?

[Reader Rabbit]

49. Better late than never, Mr. President.

Now let's see if he will stick to his support for unions, or abandon them at the first sign of corporate displeasure.

[RBInMaine]

72. Purist ignorance. Please find the planet.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Botany]

52. oh well

[bvar22]

53. Thats our President...

Following instead of Leading,
Waiting to see which way the wind is blowing,
then making public statements that contain enough ambiguity to ensure Plausible Deniability.

Gotta admire his consistency.


If our president really cared, he could use the Wisconsin Revolt as a defining moment in his presidency,
One where he clearly STOOD with the Working Class.
He could easily assume the role of a National Leader of a Working Class Movement by going to Wisconsin and STANDING with the protesters.

He could draw a very clear line:
On THIS side is the Democratic Party, standing with those who Work for a Living....



OTOH, The local Wisconsin Democratic Party rocks!
:patriot:

[ProSense]

55. "Schaitberger said the president has always been an advocate for collective bargaining rights"

here

[JEB]

59. Better late than never.

If we lead, he will follow.

[salib]

60. I guess this is how you prod him into doing something

Good work Wisconsin.

Now, what do you think would have happened if his tepid (formerly) response had not railed about on liberal/progressive sites?

Not saying anything bad about Obama. Just reminding everyone that this is our country and our democracy. It's a start, and it certainly moved the Prez here.

[wordpix]

61. maybe Mr. Pres heard Rachel last night - union busting's about ending the Dem party

Basically, she posited that only the unions have the $$$ and organization to counter the likes of the US Chamber of Commerce, Karl Rove's BushCo group, the Koch Bros., the Citizens United types, etc. Ergo, the repuke plan is to break the unions and then goodbye, Dem party. Makes sense to me.

[DeSwiss]

62. Guess the wind at his back became strong enough!

- K&R

[texastoast]

64. K&R

GObama!

[Vidar]

66. Glad to see him choose the right side for a change.

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[grahamhgreen]

68. I will rec this but

he needs to come down on the side of not cutting their wages as well, and more.

[RBInMaine]

73. The ridiculous ultra-fringe Obama bashing going on here is pathetic. How shameful !

[Number23]

76. Your posts in this thread have tickled me to no end.

Your frustration with some of these people just shines through. I don't get frustrated anymore. It's not worth it because a) there are people on this earth who will complain about EVERYTHING and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it and b) most of the folks hollering so much here on DU feel they have to do it because their numbers/power/impact in the real world is so miniscule.

In the immortal words of Homer Simpson: "Let the baby have its bottle."

[davidthegnome]

77. Curiously

You do not realize that the enormous contempt and childish (sorry, not quite subtle enough) insults being tossed around here not only fail to serve your cause, but encourage those you are (if indirectly) referring to as babies. Unless your cause is simply to stir the pot?

Most of those complaining here on DU have their reasons - I imagine most of those reasons are even valid. I suspect that if you attempted peaceful, civilized discourse (as opposed to unveiled contempt) you might find that you have more in common with the "hollering babies" than you think.

[JuniperLea]

78. Hollering babies always get riled up when you call them hollering babies

It serves to prove the point.

You're wrong about "Most of those complaining here on DU have their reasons - I imagine most of those reasons are even valid." They have their reasons all right, but valid is stretching it. When they get what they want, they move the goalpost... just like an obstinate 8-year-old who is never happy.

[davidthegnome]

79. So your reasoning is that

Displaying open contempt for - and insulting people who are angry and believe they have a right to be - is productive because it proves a point? There are numerous reasons one could be angry with and critical of the President. If you are someone who supports him - or supports this or that particular action, you can argue your points without resorting to insults and/or contempt. Keep in mind that some of those "hollering babies" are union members and workers who have served their Nation for decades. By attempting to argue with civility you may even enlighten people or change minds. If one were to act or react with hostility, it simply serves to stir the pot and continue the cycle of progressives getting in every good bash they can.... against people they probably have a lot in common with, who may even vote in a very similar manner.

It is simply nature (at least human nature, generally speaking). Insult a person - and they aren't likely to respond well. Make it clear that you regard them with contempt and hostility and they are very likely to see you in the same light.

I am always willing to concede that I may be wrong about any number of things. I have my own issues with President Obama - areas where I am critical of him. In the past I did not bother to moderate my tone or consider how others would view my words. As a result, I'm sure I made plenty of people angry and I know I got into more than a few shouting matches. Undoubtedly I would have been considered one of the hollering babies, perhaps even now I would be considered as such if I made my views clear - even in a polite, respectful manner.

I'm not saying I've never been guilty of insulting others or displaying contempt. To my regret and shame I have, far too many times. Here at DU though, I like to think we share some common concerns, among them the well being of our fellow readers and posters.

I'm sure I've already ranted (some may say preached) too much, so in closing I'll just say that I hope that we can all eventually show more concern and respect for each other here (I do not make an exception of myself, either).

[JuniperLea]

80. So, you think putting words in the mouths of others makes a point?

Um... no.

I explained myself perfectly. Sorry you missed it.

[EFerrari]

86. Skinner and our mods have worked hard to raise the tone around here.

I appreciate that. DU is much more pleasant now that most people have put away the name calling and tried to focus on issues.

[Number23]

92. Absolutely, Juniper. When we saw the 10+ days of absolute SCREAMING

that the President would "cut SS in his SOTU speech" and then there was a deafening silence when that didn't happen (or even better, some patted themselves on the back saying that it was "activists" that caused the lack of cuts); or when he was castigated from here to Sunday that he would "continue to do nothing" on DADT despite the news that came out that said the complete opposite; or when I saw more than one person imply that the President "enjoys seeing naked people" when people were screaming over the TSA screenings (remember that idiocy? That one died a pretty resounding and quick death); and people screamed that he wasn't doing "enough" to end the situation in Egypt -- the same folks who scream bloody murder (legitimately imo) about our "interference" in Afghanistan not having the first idea how ironic and confused they sound etc. etc. etc., all of this was resounding proof that there are many who will find a way to be unhappy with EVERY STEP the man takes.

For every legitimate concern, it is literally buried under an avalanche of bullshit.

[Number23]

91. LOL And in the immortal words of my incredibly wise grandfather:

"A hit dog will holler." :rofl: :rofl:

And I take great, MOMENTOUS pride in having absolutely NOTHING "in common" with the non-stop, irrational, uninformed, eaten up with hate and misery, forever moaning, forever complaining complainers here. 'Tis a badge I wear with honor.

[Kingofalldems]

82. Kick for Pro-Democratic Party news

[alp227]

83. GREAT! Thank you for standing up for the workers, Mr. President!

However, all presidents deserve skeptical eyes, and the President should live up to his word regarding the heating assistance, tax cuts for the rich, etc.

[defendandprotect]

84. While Obama/Duncan are attacking public education/teachers/unions -- !!!

Believable Obama?

[eridani]

90. Excellent! Hope he stays on board here n/t