AFL-CIO Drops New Mailers In OH, MI, PA, WI

[Omaha Steve]

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/07/aflcio_drops_ne.html

July 29, 2008
AFL-CIO Drops New Mailers In OH, MI, PA, WI

The AFL-CIO begins a ramped-up campaign to define Sen. Barack Obama with union members and their families in battleground states, focusing heavily on working-class, swing union voters in OH, MI, PA and WI. The goal, per union officials, is to dispel the many rumors circulating about Obama via two new mailers, dropped today, that ask and answer still-looming questions about the candidate. The union will send the pieces to 600K swing voters living in the four critical battleground states.

"Sen. Obama has proven time and again that he's a champion for working families who will deliver the economic change we so desperately need," said AFL-CIO Political Director Karen Ackerman. "Working people are focused on issues that matter like good jobs, fair trade, health care reform and retirement security. They aren't about to let the right-wing attack machine distort Sen. Obama's record or defame his reputation in a desperate attempt to maintain the disastrous economic status quo."

One of the mailers aims directly to dispel myths and rumors about the IL senator. The other features worker testimonials on Obama's record on jobs, health care reform and workers' rights.

Union officials tell On Call that the mailers mark the launch of a massive August campaign to clearly define Obama for millions of union voters, and to contrast the Democrat's' policies and plans with those of his GOP rival, John McCain.

Here are other elements of the AFL-CIO's effort for Obama:

-- The group's focus is on mobilizing working people in 24 states, targeting about 13M union voters, including members, householders, retirees and those involved with the group's community affiliate, Working America. Union voters make up between 25-35 percent of the vote on Election Day in OH, MI, PA and WI.

FULL story at link.