AFL-CIO vs WH = GOP

[Nuclear Unicorn]

This fight over the AR senate seat is going to be a killer.

Personally I would appreciate it if the WH could side with the union on this one because I vote for change, not DC insiders. At least that's what all the placards and bumper stickers said.

How can the union pick up Obama's message and run with it only to be blasted by the WH?

It doesn't make sense and the rift only serves to play into the hands of the GOP.

[vaberella]

1. This is from an unnamed source from Politico---too many people choose to run with it.

I don't push stories like that. Especially since Obama is good friends with the heads of labor and he wouldn't cross them. I doubt he would approve that message. However anything can sell when there is discontent with the President.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

8. There is still no denying:

Obama back Lincoln in the primary fight.

The union backed halter.

Even if they kiss and make-up after the primary they both were on opposite sides of a 52-48 split.

And the union felt peeved enough to release a rebuttal. If politico is fabricating quotes the WH should disavow and the union could/should ask for confirmation befoer rebutting.

Call me silly but $10 million dollars could come in handy between now and November considering the monied interests we're up against.

Obama should have backed Halter. His endorsement for Lincoln was political and contrary to his promises. Halter--had he gotten Obama's endorsement--would ahve worked with Obama for the progressive agenda Obama himself admits he wants but has been stymied by the Lincoln's of the House and Senate.

It makes no sense.

[HughMoran]

10. When was the last time a President backed a challenger to an existing seat?

Does it happen? If it has,how often? I'd bet it's very rare indeed and usually there's a major criminal (or other scandal) investigation involved when it does happen. You're not being realistic here.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

11. That's my point though:

This is politics as usual and self-defeating PAU at that. I didn't vote in November for the guy that was the best politician, I voted for the guy who was going to clean up DC and place the people before the powered interests.

But even if I wanted 100% self-interested machiavellian power broking Halter was still the best choice.

Now we've lost a solid ally for the senate AND have a rift with the unions.

Assuming Lincoln carries the general election she is going to back-stab Obama just like she did before the primary.

If I wanted political convenience to grease the skids and accomplish my goals--ethics be damned--I'd be a GOPer.

[HughMoran]

12. I hate Blanche

...but I also realized that I didn't vote for a revolutionary figure (Obama). Halter lost 'cause he wasn't that likable, so people went with what they knew. If the unions couldn't get him over the top with the momentum he had + $10M, then there is plenty of blame to go around. Blame Obama first is a lazy approach IMO - anybody can do that - what does it accomplish? Nothing, it just pisses people off.

[CTLawGuy]

16. I agree

Politico is not exactly a reputable news organization, and no one who actually worked for the administration with any sense of self preservation would ever say something like that.

[tranche]

2. I love the smell of new outrage in the morning.

Amazing what an unnamed source from Politico can rile up here in DU land.

[flpoljunkie]

3. They are not the only ones who've heard this from 'unnamed WH sources.'

[ljm2002]

13. The union has responded to the WH's statement...

...and the WH has not issued any denial of the statement.

Please, explain.

[tranche]

15. What WH statment are you talking about?

What was the statement that came from the White House?

[jn2375]

4. dissing unions will make it impossible for Halter to now back Lincoln

[WI_DEM]

6. wanna bet? he'll endorse her.

[WI_DEM]

5. "The White House" is an unnamed source, hardly official policy.

[CTLawGuy]

17. its also an irresponsible,

misleading Huff Post headline.

[w4rma]

7. Frankly, I don't see how it matters who wins Lincoln's seat.

She doesn't vote Democratic when she is *needed* to. Might as well have a Repuke in there to bash for 6 years and no primary battle to deal with, then.

[HooptieWagon]

9. DNC - Labor = DNC = GOP.

[Jennicut]

14. She is going down no matter what, she was saved in the primary but her poll #'s against Boozman

are horrible. So, everyone will say goodbye to Blanche Lincoln.

[volvoblue]

18. I don't think assuming is something to do. We don't know

what happened between labor and the WH. Could be they advised labor and they could even have had a friendly bet.
the message could be some inside baseball stuff.
We do not know and assuming things and automatically saying the WH is guilty (they are always assumed guilty by the left) could, as usually happens, to end up with the assumptions being wrong.