Andrea Mitchell asks Tim Kaine why DNC picked anti-union Charlotte for its convention

[Enrique]

Run time: 01:45 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-t5ervQ-RM   Posted on YouTube: February 01, 2011 By YouTube Member: FiredoglakeTV Views on YouTube: 307   Posted on DU: February 02, 2011 By DU Member: Enrique Views on DU: 919

 
http://workinprogress.firedoglake.com/2011/02/01/dncs-union-free-2012-convention/

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UPDATE II: On MSNBC this afternoon, Andrea Mitchell actually asked DNC Chair Tim Kaine why the party chose the home state of Bank of America and a right-to-work state, asking Kaine, “I defy you to find a labor hotel for these delegates, for all the AFL-CIO folks coming to Charlotte.

First off, when was the last time you heard a reporter or host even consider the words “right-to-work?” Second, Kaine predictably dodged the question, giving slight praise to the AFL-CIO. Kaine goes on to talk about new industries in North Carolina.

Kaine revealed though that President Barack Obama does not see unions as part of the “innovation economy,” and does not believe that unions to represent workers are part of the story to tell to Americans.. Video and transcript below.

Mitchell: What about the fact that it is a right-to-work state? I defy you to find a labor hotel for these delegates, for all the AFL-CIO folks coming to Charlotte.

Kaine: Andrea, the AFL-CIO has very good presence in North Carolina, some great leadership. The fact of the matter is there are plusses and minuses with each of the four cities. When we look at North Carolina we feel there’s a good story to tell. The President last week in the State of the Union talked about the “innovation economy….”

[Brickbat]

1. Shame on the DNC.

And shame on those on this site who think that the marginalization of labor is a poutrage of the day.

[vi5]

2. So disgusted by this...

and by the complete marginalization and "well where else are you going to go?" attitude of democrats in power (and their apologists) towards unions.

I'd say more than any other of the many democratic support groups and constituencies who've been tossed aside for political expediencey (except when it comes time to ask for money and/or votes and/or legwork), this being done to unions is the most disheartening to me because it's an alliance that has lasted so much longer than most of the others and to see it start it's irreversable demise under a democratic administration is just sad to me.

[still_one]

3. Kaine should have been fired after we lost Kennedy's seat. After the midterm election it is

unbelievable that he is still around

[vi5]

5. Because he's not a liberal..

Only liberals are held to account for their failures. "Moderates" and conservatives are allowed to fail upwards to success.

[still_one]

9. Funny thing is, it wasn't the liberals who failed /nt

[vi5]

12. That's what I'm saying....

Someone like Howard Dean can lead the Democratic party to massive, huge victories across the country and is politely shown the door and told not to let it kick him in the ass.

Yet someone like Kaine can fail miserably, and have huge losses on his watch, but because he's a "moderate" insider who plays the game they way they want it to be played, he'll continue to get job after job and move up the ladder and always remain comfortably employed and nicely compensated.

The same way all the economists who were right about the financial situation of the country were shut out, and the ones who were wrong were given sweet spots in the current administration.

Lovely.

[James48]

4. right to work for less

Sad.

Perhaps instead of holding a convention there, we can all get petition signatures at every hotel we stay at, and O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-E while we're in North Carolina.

[Brickbat]

6. Right to SCAB.

[RZM]

7. Without N. Carolina, Republican chances for the WH are pretty low

There's your answer.

[decidedlyso]

8. It was a tremendous non-recoverable mistake. I couldn't

believe it when it was announced. Kaine is working undercover, imo, and has been since selected.

[jsmandrake]

10. ALL POINTS LEAD TO CORPORATE TAKEOVER

Tom Kaine is what he is...not what we wanted or expected of an Obama administration.
How many times beaten over the head ---to see the reality for what it is?
There is an onrushing social contract being hammered into place under the guise of
a kinder mendacity.
All points ....ALL POINTS LEAD TO CORPORATE TAKEOVER---------

[JJW]

11. Workers' Strike

It's time for unions to call for a wokers' strike.