by Jill Zuckman
The AFL-CIO has decided to confront some of its members' biggest fears about Sen. Barack Obama in an effort to persuade them to support the labor-endorsed Democratic nominee.
In a new mailer to 600,000 union households in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio, voters are asked "Have questions about Barack Obama?"
"Everyone knows it's time for a change, but people have questions about Barack Obama. There are some things we'd like to know," says Shaun Blanton and Tom Pietrzak, union members from Dayton.
On the inside, the flier offers "straight answers" to five questions.
*Does he wear a flag pin on his lapel?
*Is he a Christian?
*Was he sworn in on the bible?
*Was he born in America?
*Does he place his hand over his heart when he says the pledge?
The answers, in order, are: yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.
"A lot of unfair, false rumors are being spread," the flier says. "Here are the answers to some of the honest questions you may have about Barack Obama."
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Comments
Is he in favor of NAFTA?
"yes", "no", "yes","no"... who knows?
Posted by: MJ | July 29, 2008 12:37 PM
You notice that Labor did not ask and answer the question about Obama's favoring expansion of Affirmative Action. That's because they know what Obama's version of Affirmative Action means, favored hiring and promotion of people based largely on the color of their skin. You think rank and file union members, from police officers to construction and auto workers, are not aware of what Obama's election will mean to them?
Posted by: Garrison | July 29, 2008 12:57 PM
Not very bright questions as they didn't go into his Chicago background-
Posted by: George | July 29, 2008 1:40 PM
How about another question, one the Swamp writer could ask:
Did compulsory union dues pay for the printing and mailing of this flyer, in violation of federal law?
Posted by: Johnny E | July 29, 2008 1:46 PM
I'm curious how his views on dirty coal go over with Indiana unions etc....don't think his views on doing away with coal will be supported by the workers there.
Posted by: Teresa | July 29, 2008 7:18 PM
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION! NO!! We have had enough of that. Surely working people realize what this means??? Black special treatment! Is that what the Democrats want? He is also VERY intersted in working with his Islamic Muslem relatives in Kenya....better watch out!!!
Posted by: nancy | July 30, 2008 12:45 AM
Well, if he is a flag pin wearing Christian who was born in America, was sworn in on the bible, and puts his hand on his chest when he says the pledge, I guess he is qualified to be President in AFL-CIO's book. I'm sure his promise to sign the Employee-free Choice Act, which gives unions election-free rights to employee dues and compulsory political contributions had nothing to do with it.
Posted by: Morse | July 30, 2008 12:16 PM