Second Labor Big Hits Cantor Over Labor Goon Vid
A second labor leader is now taking a whack at GOP Rep Eric Cantor over the labor goon vid that Cantor’s office pushed in response to the labor-backed ad blitz attacking GOP leaders.
Here’s the statement from AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, sent over by his office:
“During these tough economic times the last thing hard working Americans need is to be ridiculed by a member of the Republican leadership. Rep. Cantor should apologize for insulting America’s workers with this profane video.”
The Cantor spokesperson who sent out the video had meant it as a lighthearted joke, but now the story’s ballooning, and some kind of retraction, or other kind of formal statement from Cantor, seems likely.
Here is real reason for all of this EAFA and Solis’s nomination, which may get voted on today:
at dynamic.
3. The fight over Solis is really just a precursor of the looming battle over the Employee Free Choice Act. A person with knowledge of the meeting earlier this week between AFL president John Sweeney and Vice President Joe Biden noted that they discussed EFCA and the administration’s continued commitment to it. When the battle is joined–probably in late Spring–Solis’s nomination will look like a skirmish.
Here is real reason for all of this EFCA and SOLIS’s nomination, which may get voted on today:
‘ The fight over Solis is really just a precursor of the looming battle over the Employee Free Choice Act. A person with knowledge of the meeting earlier this week between AFL president John Sweeney and Vice President Joe Biden noted that they discussed EFCA and the administration’s continued commitment to it. When the battle is joined–probably in late Spring–Solis’s nomination will look like a skirmish.’
where was that?
Taking Cantor’s spokesman at his word, I assume he used this video in an effort to portray AFSCME as entitled and resentful of those whom its members serve – not, at any event, to be taken seriously.
I think this cuts to a really interesting problem for the GOP, and particularly for doctrinaire anti-government types like Cantor. They generally have nothing but praise for ordinary, hard-working, blue collar Americans. On the other hand, they reserve their highest scorn for those who take refuge in government, instead of getting a real job or making a meaningful contribution. But this clip highlights the paradox inherent in their views: most government employees are hard-working, blue-collar types. And that’s why it’s political poison. A video of angry, profane bureaucrats wouldn’t have been nearly so damaging. But this comes off as elitist, as if Cantor’s aide is sneering at the folks who haul our garbage and care for the elderly. Which, of course, he is.
And that’s the problem Cantor and his ilk now face. The only entity capable of helping ordinary people at this extraordinary moment is government. Admitting that is anathema to them. Denying it amounts to political suicide. So instead, we get ‘jokes’ entirely devoid of substantive critique. Cantor has no response to AFSCME’s complaints. The most he can do is mock the complainers.
Greg:
I think he’s quoting from an obscure, left-leaning political blog:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/solis-gets-a-vote-today.php
“The Cantor spokesperson who sent out the video had meant it as a lighthearted joke”
Does anyone believe this?If so, I have some mortgage-backed securities to sell you.
This “light-hearted jokle” encapsulates as well as anything else the total contempt Republicans have for ordinary, working Americans. I hope they fry him good for this.
“The Cantor spokesperson who sent out the video had meant it as a lighthearted joke”
This seriously is the exact defense of an 8-year old.
But at least we’ve narrowed down the age range of our conservative obstructionist friends. Which makes sense because only an 8-year old would be busying themselves with childish nonsense while the house is on fire. This is what happens when you let children play with matches.
What’s next? They going to steal money from our pensions and claim they were “just going to borrow it”?
Oh wait…
@observer
.
D’oh lol
This is very hot information. I’ll share it on Delicious.