Wherein someone finally stands up for the American middle class

Great article (4.00 / 1)

Thanks for posting this Eric.  This has been one of the best articles I have read regarding the misdirected anger of the Tea Party movement.  Hoffa is exactly right and it's great to see organized labor remembering its roots.

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by: Brady @ Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 23:29:58 PM UTC

Labor endorses Dillon (4.00 / 1)

I see today that the 102,000 members of the Michigan Building Trades have endorsed Dillon for Governor.  These endorsements have been echoed by the locals such as  Ironworkers Local 25 of Detroit, Ironworkers Local 340 of Battle Creek, Ironworkers Local 8 of Marquette, Roofers Local 149, Frost Insulators Local 47 and Heat and Frost Insulators Local 25.  Rumors are that Teamsters and SEIU will soon endorse Dillon for Governor as well.

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by: Brady @ Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 23:40:25 PM UTC

Labor does not endorse Dillon (0.00 / 0)

One segment of Labor has endorsed Dillon.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 00:13:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Actually... (0.00 / 0)

The building trades are a plural.  So, several segments of labor endorse Dillon and they are just the beginning.

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by: Brady @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 03:24:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pay (4.00 / 2)

I don't know how much Dillion is paying you to be here, but it can't be enough. lol  This isn't even a thread about him, and your shilling for him and posting something unrelated to the subject of the post.  Meh.

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by: MiddleGrandGuy @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 03:32:22 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Shilling (0.00 / 0)

Actually, what Hoffa has to say in that article is related to Dillon's campaign and the future of the labor movement and Democratic Party in Michigan.

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by: Brady @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 03:43:22 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ugh. (0.00 / 0)

Yes, what Hoffa says is related to Dillon. If the Teamsters are smart, they'll run, screaming from Andy Dillon.  This Op-Ed piece is more truly populist than probably anything you'll read in any Michigan newspaper this year.  Andy Dillon is the least populist candidate running for governor this year.  And, that includes the entire Republican field.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 07:10:06 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

We could pretend (4.00 / 1)

that endorsements actually matter in a high profile race such as governor.

And let's not forget that many of those union members vote Republican consistently...so it isn't surprising that some would endorse Dillon.

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by: Nazgul35 @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 14:37:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yeah, we heard this from Dillon himself... (0.00 / 0)

The private sector unions are going to get behind him.  The one segment that are the Trades has done so. Meanwhile, another segment -- the UAW -- is leaning Bernero, and the Teamsters are going to give Pete Hoekstra a very close look.  Dillon can count on not getting support from the public sector unions, which I think today represent a larger number of workers than the private sector unions.

In short, Dillon has the one segment of building trades people, most of whom will vote Republican in the general anyway.  So, yeah, he has no real support in the labor movement.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 16:25:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Tea Party (4.00 / 1)

You mean to tell me that there are conservative voters who regularly are duped into voting against their self-interests?  Well, knock me down with a feather.

Seriously, the tea party is just another reincarnation of the neo-cons.  They saw how their foreign policy was roundly rejected for its destructive nature mid-decade, so they decided to try out their self-destructive domestic policy points under a new name.

They can call themselves whatever they want, at the end of the day it's the same sh%t, different smell.

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by: MiddleGrandGuy @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 03:35:40 AM UTC

From MIRS (0.00 / 0)

MIRS has a very interesting article leading tonight's edition.  In addition to its reporting that some unions have begged Cherry to re-enter the race and his refusal to do so, it sheds some light on why Kildee dropped out.

From MIRS, in part...

Regarding the Bernero candidacy, a local Teamster insider reported that the union and Bernero negotiated for about a 1,000 days for a new contract and then, within a month or so, he revealed his desire to run for governor, this official says the contract was settled. The union "saw through that," explained one top Democrat.

Meanwhile on the UAW front, there's been speculation that the union was poised to endorse Bernero, but for a different reason than you might expect.

A highly placed Democratic source reveals that the UAW wants David LEYTON, the Genesee County prosecutor, to get the party's Attorney General nomination. But the union knew if former Genesee County Treasurer Dan KILDEE ran for governor, the party could not have two candidates from the same county.

The source said the union told Kildee it was going for Bernero in order to have Kildee remove himself from the contest, making it possible for Leyton to have a shot at the nomination against Wayne State University Board of Governors Chair Richard BERNSTEIN.

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by: Brady @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 03:36:45 AM UTC

MIRS... (0.00 / 0)

Is this the same MIRS that employs a reporter (Teh Demas) who has penned several pieces practically calling the state stupid if it didn't elevate Andy Dillon to the governor's mansion?  'Cause what you've quoted makes it seem like the UAW is primarily interested in who is attorney general, which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 07:20:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Robocalls (0.00 / 0)

One has to wonder now if those weekend robocalls attacking Bernstein actually came from the Republicans.

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by: Brady @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 11:30:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dillon continues to lead (0.00 / 0)

Despite last week's rumored announcement of a UAW endorsement for Bernero (which apparently backfired), Andy Dillon continues to lead in the Democratic governor's race in new polling data announced today by Rossman Public Relations/Denno Noor/Perricone Group.  In the poll, Dillon leads Bernero by a narrow 2% with a majority of Democrats yet undecided.

On the Republican side, Rick Michigan continues to make significant gains and now replaces Mike Cox as the GOP'er in second place behind poorly funded Hoekstra.

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by: Brady @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 03:55:29 AM UTC

You can't be serious (but I know that you are)... (4.00 / 1)

You do realize that a two percentage point difference is a statistical dead-heat and that over half of potential Democratic voters remain undecided, right?  That's a helluva lot of spin you're doing there, my friend, though it is not at all surprising.  Dillon's not leading, anything.  He's and the other candidates have been stuck under 20% for just about ever.  

There isn't much the Democratic polls can tell us, at the moment, since most people don't seem to know the candidates.  And, if they happen to reflect badly on anyone they'd reflect badly on the most well-known of the bunch, state-wide...

Really, dude, stop your shameless shilling, already.

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by: MiddleGrandGuy @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 04:11:13 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Shilling (0.00 / 0)

Shameless, perhaps.  Shilling, no.  Shilling implies that I am receiving some compensation or at least some type of instruction.  That's not happening.  My motivation is to simply see a Democratic candidate for governor who can win in November.  Schwarz and Snyder aren't alternatives I'm willing to consider.  I'm a shameless Democrat.

As I've said before, I like Bernero.  I think Bernero would make a fine governor.  But the Bernero campaign isn't catching fire.  If the Bernero campaign were going places, it would have seen a surge of endorsements and fundraising following Cherry's departure.  Bernero would have picked up a lot of Cherry's previous support and that would be reflected in polling.  That clearly isn't occuring.  Even many of the "Anybody but Dillon" crowd seem to have issues with Bernero.  And that UAW endorsement that Eric claimed would occur last Friday, never materialized.

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by: Brady @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 14:31:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Can you state for the record (0.00 / 0)

if you have been promised any position in a successful Dillon administration or plan to apply for any such position?

Are you currently involved in the Dillon campaign or plan to be in the future?

Just state for the record, that way, if it turns out you lied, we will know how seriously to take you in the future.

(And in case you wonder) My answer to all of those questions are no for all candidates.

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by: Nazgul35 @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 14:42:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

For the record (0.00 / 0)

I certainly haven't been promised any position in the Dillon administration nor would I ever expect to be promised a position.  Given that it's only March and there's no clear frontrunner for either party, I can't imagine anyone planning to apply for a position in any administration over the next eight years.  Regardless, I'm very happy with my current employer and position despite the benefit cuts.

I'm not currently involved in any campaign for a candidate for governor nor do I plan to be this year other than through volunteering without compensation and through the Democratic coordinated campaign after the primary.  But then, I'd expect most of us here will be involved in the Democratic coordinated campaign regardless of who the candidate for governor is.

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by: Brady @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 15:20:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Seriously (0.00 / 0)

"Just state for the record, that way, if it turns out you lied, we will know how seriously to take you in the future."

Nazgul, how seriously have you ever taken me in the past, you of all bloggers at Michigan Liberal?  I have no expectations of influencing you.  Yet, the back and forth communication and the exchange of ideas are very healthy for Democrats and non-alligned liberals.  This type of dialogue doesn't exist on conservative blogs and the right is worse off for it.

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by: Brady @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 16:13:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There's a difference (0.00 / 0)

between buying one's argument and taking the person seriously...a distinction I would have thought you capable of managing.

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by: Nazgul35 @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 16:39:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pravda... (4.00 / 4)

If, tomorrow, the moon were to fall from its orbit and the oceans were to start boiling, would you come to Michigan Liberal to comment that this was good news for Andy Dillon?

The last poll had Dillon up by like six points in the Democratic field with a majority undecided.  This latest suggests that Bernero, a man still barely known outside Lansing, has narrowed that to a statistical dead heat.  Somehow, Pravda-like, you see this as positive news for Andy Dillon.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 07:14:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Heretic! (4.00 / 3)

The moon cannot fall from orbit! His Centristliness, Speaker Dillon, holds it aloft with strings of long hair as soft as gossamer and illuminates it with beams of piercing, placid blue light. Also, maybe a unicorn.

Thou shalt suffer a thousand tribulations for doubting the works of The Speaker. His Centristliness has already signed this blank sheet of parchment and would like to negotiate with you on terms of your final repentance.

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by: countvonbob @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 14:49:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

i am just about to post... (4.00 / 2)

...another view of the same question, with a similar outcome, and i would encourage everyone to keep pushing this theme to the tea party audience any way we can.

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by: fake consultant @ Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 04:22:47 AM UTC

People are pissed. (0.00 / 0)

They would vote for any person or party that would bring people in this country real jobs and opportunity.   We need to cross over and take both parties out.  

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by: dkmich @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 11:30:39 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

And right on que (4.00 / 1)

the rumor has it that Lansing is considering cutting state employees' pay by 5%, freezing it for three and making them pay 20% of their health insurance costs.

This will do wonders for Michigan's economy.

They can cut my pay by about 20% but can't raise my taxes by 5%?

Gee...I wonder where Andy Dillon is on this issue?

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by: Nazgul35 @ Fri Mar 12, 2010 at 19:02:20 PM UTC

Same ol, same ol... (0.00 / 0)

Smoke and mirros because, Virginia, there really is a free lunch.   All you have to do is make somebody else pay your share.  

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by: dkmich @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 11:32:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]