Limbaugh's Hometown Home to Active Union Movement

[proud2BlibKansan]

Cape Girardeau, Missouri probably isn't the first place you'd think of as a union town. It is conservative, to be sure. Hometown of Rush Limbaugh, Cape County hasn't voted for a Democrat in a presidential race since 1964. It is a Red city in a Purple Battleground state. When it comes to organized labor, however, there is more to Cape Girardeau than meets the eye.

The folks in the Southeast Missouri Central Labor Council work hard to build unity among all the members in the region. President Mark Baker and a dedicated crew of activists have been organizing the SEMO Labor Picnic for four years. It is held around Labor Day and gives members a chance to relax with their families and friends in beautiful Cape Girardeau County Park. Along with the fishing tournament and the tug of war, candidates and elected officials flock to get a chance to meet with the members.

There's a big fight for the Missouri Senate seat that's been held by a Republican since 1986. Roy Blunt, long-time Republican Congressman from Southern Missouri has been able to saturate the airwaves using big-dollar corporate donations. So when 500 union members get together in a Republican county on a Sunday in late August, what sort of reception is there for Robin Carnahan?

Robin couldn't have been more warmly received. From the minute she arrived at the picnic, union members from all possible Trades and industries were greeting her and offering their help. Electricians, Painters, Roofers, Operating Engineers, Communications and Sheet Metal Workers, Retirees. Roy Gunter, IBEW activist, pledged his support and mentioned he'd already been phone banking for Robin all morning.

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