Union Members Make the Difference Nov. 7

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2006/11/08/union-members-make-the-difference-nov-7/

Union Members Make the Difference Nov. 7

by Mike Hall, Nov 8, 2006

Union voters played a big role in yesterday’s historic election that brought at least 28 new Democratic members to the U.S. House of Representatives and four to the U.S. Senate, with two other Senate races still too close to call.

An election-night survey by Peter D. Hart Research Associates finds that in House races, union voters supported Democratic candidates 74 percent to 26 percent for Republican candidates. That’s a big jump from 2004 when the margin was 70 percent to 30 percent and from the 2002 off-year election when union voters favored Democrats 68 percent to 32 percent.



An election-night survey by Peter D. Hart Research Associates finds that in House races, union voters supported Democratic candidates 74 percent to 26 percent for Republican candidates. That’s a big jump from 2004 when the margin was 70 percent to 30 percent and from the 2002 off-year election when union voters favored Democrats 68 percent to 32 percent.

In the battleground states where Senate seats were in play, the union vote went to Democrats 73 percent to 27 percent versus the 55 percent to 45 percent split among all voters.

The strong support for change didn’t come from blind party loyalty but, as the Hart survey points out, from a deep desire for change and dissatisfaction with Bush’s and congressional Republicans’ leadership.

The survey found that:

* 69 percent of union voters disapprove of Bush’s job performance.
* 64 percent are dissatisfied with the economic situation in the country today.
* 57 percent believe the decision to go to war in Iraq has made America less safe.

When asked their top issues, union voters cited the war in Iraq (41 percent), economy and jobs (32 percent), health care and prescription drugs (26 percent) and Social Security (26 percent.).

They also said their top two concerns about the Republican-controlled Congress were that Republican lawmakers:

* Cared more about political power than doing right (37 percent);
* Acted as rubber stamps for George Bush (36 percent);
* Supported politics that hurt working people (32 percent);
* Tolerated corruption and dishonesty (24 percent).

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says the challenge the union movement faced and conquered was to transform members’ frustration and anger into political power. The Hart poll found that Labor 2006’s member mobilization hit the mark with 93 percent of union voters in battleground states saying they had heard from their unions about the issues and candidates, including phone calls, workplace contacts and internet and e-mail.

FULL story at link.

[cally]

1. Recommended...I saw many union members on the two campaigns

I worked on. The Unions came through for us once again.

DU..please recommend this post. We have to acknowledge our Unions and their help.

[ACK]

2. God bless the Unions and Labor !!!!

My wife is a card caring member of a teacher's union.

Way to go union members. We need to back up that support by helping the union membership on vital legislation central to their interests. We cannot abandon the base!!!

Bless the base.

[Patiod]

3. They are always out in force in my area

Knocking on doors, getting out the vote

Thanks, union members! :hi:

[WCGreen]

4. Always make a difference here in NE Ohio....

[GetTheRightVote]

5. They do well for IA as well, state of my birth, unions are key to a better life

style for all americans, power in numbers.

:kick: