WH officials "make nice" with labor. Plum Line blog.

[madfloridian]

White House officials make nice with labor

In a private meeting currently under way with labor leaders, top White House officials are working hard to smooth over tensions in the wake of an anonymous administration official's claim that unions had flushed $10 million down the toilet in Arkansas, and are stressing that they respect labor's decision, sources say.

The private make-up session is directly at odds with the tough tone the White House official struck in the wake of the primary, and is also at odds with Robert Gibbs' subsequent quasi-endorsement of the sentiment. In the meeting, a White House official asked labor to put the anonymous comment behind them, a source at the meeting says.

Representing the White House at the meeting, which is currently underway at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, are top advisers Patrick Gaspard and Jen O'Malley. On the labor side are AFL-CIO's political directors.

..."So it looks like the White House does regret dumping on labor after all, and does understand that the judicious move here is to walk back the criticism and insults, if only in private. More as I learn it.

Now it is time for them to "make nice" with other unions. I refer to the teachers' unions on whose rights Arne Duncan has trampled. In fact he recently made sure that we all know where he stands on the topic of teachers' unions.

Arne warns states not to "water down" education plans to please unions.

We have come to the point that the top leaders of our party are going after the teachers' unions. Arne may be doing most of the talking, but the others including his boss are sitting back and giving him the floor and the power. The power to destroy public education.

Here is the money quote from Arne in the Wall Street Journal:

"Mr. Duncan said in an interview that he welcomed the friction between union and state officials but warned against states weakening their overhaul plans simply to win buy-ins from unions. "Watered-down proposals with lots of consensus won't win," he said. "And proposals that drive real reform will win."

Maybe soon they will consider adding a place at the discussion table for teachers and their unions who are the target of this administration.

[dflprincess]

1. The White House regrets having it's attitude toward labor go public in such a big way

and that's all they regret.

They can sweet talk all they want but until that talk is backed up by actions it shouldn't be taken seriously.

[daleanime]

3. Dead right on that....

:grr:

[walldude]

5. Yep they are like the drunken employee who spouts off at the

company Christmas party about the evils of the corporation he works for, then blames it on the alcohol the next day.

[whathehell]

11. +100

These useless DLCers get worse by the minute...I am SOO disappointed in this White House.

[EFerrari]

21. Rahm will eventually have to be let go. Unfortunately, by then

the damage will have been done.

The WH can "make nice" all they want with the leadership of constituencies they disrespect but *voters* will remember.

[Bozita]

28. Bullseye!

[roguevalley]

29. this laborite can say fuck off with a clear conscience.

[Bluebear]

34. +

[madfloridian]

36. That's true.

There is a long history of contempt for unions as far as Rahm and buddies are concerned. I worried when he was given so much power.

[depakid]

46. The only thing that arrogant crowd regrets is that the rank and file found out

You got that right.

[mmonk]

48. Correct. Politics is half image, the other fund raising.

[burnsei sensei]

50. +1

:thumbsup:

[fascisthunter]

53. they screwed themselves big time

[Stinky The Clown]

54. Right on the money!

[gratuitous]

2. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Next up, the teachers' unions. Then get cracking on EFCA. Make the Department of Labor responsive to the needs of Labor rather than Capital (I know, stunning concept).

That'll do for a start.

[olegramps]

52. The journey that labor should take is forming a Labor Party.

The Democratic Party has become little more than Republican-lite since it became dominated by the DLC. It not only doesn't represent the working class, it is in fact its enemy because it refuses to take any positive actions. Its far past time when Organized Labor should run their own candidates that are solely dedicated to restoring the Middle Class. I am of the opinion that they could attract a sizable portion of Republicans and Independents given the mood of the country that is increasingly opposed to the arrogance of the corporations that outsourced their jobs, cut their pensions and canceled their health insurance.

[AndyA]

4. Put it behind you. Look forward.

Don't dwell on rude and unnecessary comments made by an anonymous White House official.

Don't think about the abuses of the Bush Administration, the torturing, spying, and lying. We must look forward!

BULLSHIT.

The buck stops with you, Obama. When are you going to take responsibility and fulfill your oath of office? You must enforce the laws, it's not up to you to decide whether or not to forget about crimes and move forward.

[saracat]

6. Labor should never forgive them. Enough is enough. A private apology for

a "public" insult? Gimme a break.What's the excuse gonna be? We didn't "really" mean it"? BS.
Labor should only suppoert candidates who represent their interests.

[bluethruandthru]

12. +1000

[madfloridian]

13. It should be done publicly.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. "Gosh, hon, the broken nose and busted ribs are really for your own good and given lovingly."

[chill_wind]

8. Past and future actions speak louder than words.

Working class America will be watching.

[flyarm]

9. They can kiss my Union ass! It won't do a damn bit of good..this F'ing Retard is done with them! eom

[joeybee12]

10. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me...fool me every single

time during the last 25 years...well...

[Justitia]

14. This goes to basic Democratic principles - I'm with the unions on this one. WH screwed themselves.

There was absolutely NO NEED to stick it in the eye of the unions, the most steadfast supporters of our party.

The unions provide so many hard workers for elections when the rubber meets the road, I can't believe they were treated so badly, esp after the health care fiasco too.

Here in TX, I have been amazed to see the unions out working hard for our elections (in Texas! A right to work state!), when no other evidence of the Dem party can be found.

Labor organizing is a CORE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE.

The WH has infuriated me over this issue.

[madfloridian]

31. I'm with you on that.....and with the unions.

I think the party needs to work on their appreciation of unions.

[old mark]

15. Obama to labor; "Go Fuck Yourself...but in a good way..."

Hope you get a lot of republican votes in '12 Barry - you courted them and you might need them....Oh, yeah, and as a retired AFSCME Steward - Fuck You, too.

mark

[Skidmore]

16. I wrote the WH yesterday via their e-mail contact link and

pointed out that workers voted for Dems. And not all of us are white collar manager types.

[dana_b]

17. good for you for letting them know

how you feel. Wouldn't it be nice to get a real response - just once?

[Skidmore]

Perhaps they have received enough similar e-mails to prompt

the apology. Perhaps they should get more of them.

[Skidmore]

19. Perhaps they have received enough similar e-mails to prompt

the apology. Perhaps they should get more of them.

[Brickbat]

18. Excuse me, but "making nice with labor" would look like standing up for EFCA and providing a little

bit of leadership on the issue. Oh, and kicking Arne Duncan to the goddamn curb. I'm just about done with this crap.

[Smashcut]

20. Bunch of phonies.

Now they're gonna privately "make nice" after giving the finger publicly to unions? Fuck them.

[Ganja Ninja]

22. Not buying it anymore.

:eyes:

[JHB]

23. Two best bits of advice I've been given about politicians...

...any politicians:

1) FDR's famous "go out there and make me do it" quote, and

2) "There's only one way to really trust a politician: keep him close, have one hand shaking his, facing the cameras with a big smile. And have the other hand behind his back, twisting his other arm to the breaking point. THEN you can trust him." -- some old guy at some function I was at with my parents when I was not quite in my teens. Probably an ex-politician himself, but I can't recall his name for the life of me. Horribly cynical, but experience inclines me to agree.

[Little Star]

24. Unions already fell for this bullshit w/HCR and got burned bad.

Hope they don't fall for empty words again!!

If unions would start a labor movement they would be surprised by how much support they would have. I, for one, would work my butt off for such a movement.

[Catshrink]

25. And they're shocked to find out how angry teachers are...

and mystified about why. Even Howard Dean, who is pretty well grounded, had no idea.

[madfloridian]

38. You are right. They have no clue about teachers and their anger.

The media spin is all they hear.

[proudohioan]

26. I wanted to reply,

But realize that I'm just to angry and disgusted for words at the moment.

[SargeUNN]

27. I have really tried to give this President support but

he has let us down too much with this being the final straw for me by going against labor. Labor Unions have given too much to the middle class and made us better for it. I can't give Obama a break on this one and will not. He needs to stop going along with the labor busters and start taking the side of the American Workers (what is left of them) and make the workplace safer and more productive for the workers.

Obama has used the excuse, it is complicated to the point when I heard it I roll my eyes. I have to start saying no more crap, get with the best for the people and regain some of the things that Unions fought hard to get which have been taken away. No President Obama, labor isn't your enemy but your friend who you have crapped on and with it you have crapped on the people.

[Dawson Leery]

30. The Democrats will be sitting ducks this fall without the base

Seeing how openly disdainful they have been of the base, I would not suprised to see the GOP retake the house.

I have to say the Republicans get one thing right, even when they disagree with their base, they never attack them in the callous manner that the Democratic Party does.

On the night of the election, the primary winner congratulates their opponent, for their hard fought campaign, and looks forward to meeting with them, to address their concerns. Then they invite them to a unity breakfast, to make plans to work together to defeat the other party in the general election.
They do not vilify their opponent. The party leadership does not go on the offense against the base.

I must concede that the recent Democratic convert, Arlen Specter showed much more grace than Blanche and the Whitehouse.

[madfloridian]

32. You make a good point. The GOP usually plays to its base.

Our party has taken the DLC attitude toward "liberals" and minorities and unions.

They have done it so long, they may have forgotten how to respect us.

[GrantDem]

33. It's a bitch trying to get that toothpaste back in the tube...

[madfloridian]

35. You make a good point.

I hope they at least try harder.

[MilesColtrane]

37. "The private make-up session..."

I believe the colloquial nomenclature is a "handjob".

[Amonester]

39. How about firing that "anonymous" asshole for a start?

It's that, or the buck stops where?

[Mithreal]

40. Thank you

[Divine Discontent]

41. as they should. and EVERY person here that doubted it was said needs to see this move by the WH.

they should let go the 'anonymous' person that said it...

but Rahm has too much power in the WH. oh come ON, you think Valerie said it?

[madrchsod]

42. oh thanks for pulling your knife out of our backs...

why in the hell would anyone trust this guy?

[Hannah Bell]

43. nemesis is coming. The reform slate just won an overwhelming victory in chicago:

took all the top offices, + all the local offices.

They ran on an explicitly anti-charter, anti-daley, anti-arne, get out & fight position.

They won everything. Finally, someone who looks like they're actually going to do more than kiss ass & make concessions.

http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=1472§ion=Article

[bread_and_roses]

45. yes, that was good news! and i echo the "fuck offs" above -

a "private" apology for a public slap that was heard on every airwave in US? Not good enough, you pusillanimous cowardly back-stabbers.

[cornermouse]

44. Negotiating in private while keeping up the attacks?

I am not impressed.

[benfranklin1776]

47. "Warning against watered down proposals to win consensus" Chutzpah on Steroids

Coming from a corporatist charter school pimp who is part of an administration that watered down its health care plan to appease the insurance, health care and pharmaceutical industries.
So trying to build consensus with your base is bad but offering watered down proposals to get support from Rethuglican and corporate interests that hate your guts is good. It is truly disgusting that this administration has chosen Arne as its hitman to attack professionals who are the ones best able to lead the race to the top if only they were given the tools to do so like federal funding to reduce class sizes and to ensure equal educational opportunity for any student no matter what public school he or she attends. A far better use of federal money than a naked subsidy to the charter school industry.

[jwirr]

49. DCCC sent me a survey this weekend. I answered the questions

as a progressive and in the final open ended question I told them why I am upset and why I will be supporting only individuals. Labor will lead me in my decisions of who to support.

[november3rd]

51. We Need a Labor Party

:patriot: The Democratic Party is just not supporting labor enough: no vote on EFCA, no fighting for government--especially teacher--collective bargaining, no real support for unionization in the private sector, or going after employers who undermine labor standards. We need to throw the Republicans out of the Democratic party and support our base.

[Catherina]

55. Serious action please, not words and pretty speeches n/t