Union firewall for Democrats?

Hart research polled union and non-union voters in 100 swing congressional districts. Findings are expected in part, and unexpected in part. Union voters provided the firewall for many surviving Democrats, particularly in the Senate races, while white working class voters more dramatically supported Republican candidates (white non-college educated men picked Republicans 67 to 33 percent). Despite the voting, however, it seems working class voters favored many positions favored by Democrats: (for example, 63 percent against tax cuts for earners of $250,000+, 62 percent against social security privatization, 75 percent against reducing or eliminating the minimum wage).

Politics, primaries and EFCA

At the National Association of Manufacturer's blog Shopfloor, a post interprets last Tuesday's elections as a "tough night for the card check crowd." While it is true AFL-CIO backed Arlen Specter was defeated by Democrat Joe Sestak, this certainly is not an anti-card check vote. Sestak cosponsored EFCA in 2007 and 2009. He also introduced another labor reform measure. Given Specter's willingness to compromise on card check itself, the blogger's conclusion is simply fantasy. The blogger is also premature in declaring the Arkansas senate primary as a vote against card check. Incumbent Senator Blanche Lincoln has opposed EFCA and card check. While she ran first, and is in a run off with Lt. Govenor Bill Halter, she garnered only 44% of the vote, an ominous situation for the two term incumbent. Halter has strong support from labor.